Proven Leadership

Brother Kwame J. Dow Chief People & Strategy Officer for 1st Vice Grand Basileus
Brother Dow’s personal philosophy is, "IN EVERYTHING YOU DO, YOU HAVE TO FIRST BE OF SERVICE."

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With over 30 years of steadfast loyalty, executive leadership and proven results, Brother Kwame J. Dow is seeking to serve Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. as our next 1st Vice Grand Basileus.

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A 30-YEAR RECORD OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Brother Dow’s service is marked by increasing responsibility and measurable success that demonstrates his readiness to serve on Day One.

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District & Supreme Council Leadership: 34th District Representative, The “Massive & Progressive 12th District” (Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming)
Brother Dow served as the 34th District Representative (DR) for three unanimously elected terms (2020-2023), and set a new standard for excellence on the Supreme Council:

• Unprecedented Financial Growth: Doubled the District's net worth and achieved the highest financial numbers in its history.

• Strategic Growth & Reactivation: Reactivated nine undergraduate chapters and chartered three new graduate chapters, demonstrating a clear commitment to the fraternity's future.

• Proven Crisis Leadership: Recognized for outstanding leadership in navigating the District through the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Deployed Operation Omega Relief: Procured and deployed 3,700 pieces of hard-to-find CDC approved Hospital Grade Personal Protective Equipment to hospitals in Compton, San Francisco, and Phoenix valued at over $25K

• Corporate & Political Partnerships: Developed key partnerships that netted more than $250,000 for the District.

• Membership Chairman: three terms, updated 12th District post MSP training, facilitating training and review of MSP Certification process including creation of automatic recertification tool.  Served on International Membership Committee and initiated 443 candidates in the 12th District.

• Rules Committee Chairman: Facilitated transition of Fatherhood and Mentoring Committee from special to a 12th District Standing Committee.

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Chapter Leadership: A Foundation of Service
Brother Dow’s leadership began at the 2nd Chapter of Omega’s birth and has been consistent for three decades:

• Beta Chapter (Lincoln University, PA): Served as Vice Basileus and Basileus (1993-1995), where the chapter was awarded 2nd District Undergraduate Chapter of the Year.

• Tau Tau Chapter (Compton, CA): Served as Vice Basileus and Basileus (2011-2014) for the largest chapter west of the Mississippi.

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Policy & Program Author: A Strategic Vision for Omega
Perhaps his most important work has been writing policy for the organization.

• Co-Author of the MSPU Program: Brother Dow identified a 30+ year gap in the Membership Selection Process. He co-authored, presented, and facilitated the approval of the MSPU program, to ensure all new Brothers understand Omega's rich history and current operations, empowering them to come in, ready to handle the business of Omega.

• Virtual District Meeting Model: Brother Dow and team created the template and policy for execution of virtual District Meetings (75th and 76th Twelfth District Meetings) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This became part of the model used for the 82nd Grand Conclave. 

• Undergraduate Transition Program: Eliminated or reduced dues for undergraduates transitioning to graduate chapters who committed to join a committee, minimum service hours and to attend 75% of all meetings in a given year. 

• 12th District Life Membership Program: Infused over $100K of capital in first nine months.

• Community Policing Task Force: Adopted by the Supreme Council as an initiative for all Districts to adopt. Program provided roadmap for developing partnerships with local law enforcement.

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Keynote Speaker and Facilitator: Inspiring, Motivating and Challenging Audiences 
Brother Dow has facilitated town halls with United States Senator Alex Padilla of California, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, and CA Secretary of State Shirley Weber, led roundtables with the 41st Grand Basileus David Marion, and served as Master of Ceremonies and keynote speaker for numerous events on the International, District and Chapter levels. At the National level, he served as Master of Ceremonies for the Public Program and Founders Banquet at the 84th Grand Conclave.

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EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE FOR OUR FRATERNITY'S BUSINESS
Brother Dow is not just a fraternity leader; he is a highly sought-after Human Resources Executive. He brings an elite professional skill set that is directly transferable to the 1st Vice Grand Basileus's office.

• Current Role: Chief People & Strategy Officer for YWCA Greater Los Angeles.

• Executive Acumen: Managed of P&Ls of over $10MM and workforces of 600+ employees.

• Proven Negotiator: Has negotiated multi-million-dollar vendor contracts.

• Trusted by Industry Giants: Has implemented HR strategy and solutions for clients including City of Hope, NBCUniversal, DreamWorks, City of Los Angeles, METRO, LAUSD and the State of California.

• Board Experience: Currently a board member of UPLIFT LA Institute, The Thirkield Center, and the California Family Foundation. Past board member of EE Just Community Youth and Community Services, Inc., California Music Association and Mt. Washington Association.

A COMMITTED BROTHER AND FAMILY MAN
Initiated through Beta Chapter on May 20, 1993, Brother Dow has received numerous awards, including the Grand Basileus Award (84th Grand Conclave), Omega Man of the Year, and the Founders Award. He is a committed family man, married to his college sweetheart Nicole since 1999. They are the proud parents of a daughter, Jazz.

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This blend of executive leadership, professional excellence, steadfast loyalty and love for Omega is Kwame Dow. It’s Time: vote Brother Kwame J. Dow for 1st Vice Grand Basileus.