HISTORY

                                       HISTORY OF THE SACRED ORDER OF VASH NA HA 

                                               (Brotherhood, Unity, and Achievement) 

Vash Na Ha was formed in the winter of 1964 by Brother O. Reginald Minor and Brother Bob Thompson. These 2 talented young men were students at West Virginia State College that majored in Music and were given the opportunity to perform in Africa under an international Arts program sponsored by the State Department. 

While in Africa, and during a sight seeing expedition, they came upon a stone idle in the jungle with the inscription of VASH NA HA on it. They inquired as to what the words meant in the local dialect. They were told that, 

             VASH - meant Brotherhood, 

             NA - meant Unity and 

             HA - meant Achievement.

Upon returning to the States, Brothers Minor and Thompson created the organization, which started as a group of friends with common interests. 

Vash Na Ha developed a more formal organization taking into consideration the following:

           a) election of officers

           b) A pledge period

           c) Formal induction

           d) colors - Black and White

When word of this newly formed organization was being established, 5 young men sought membership and were the first group to be inducted into VASH NA HA. 

Brothers Tom Roberts, John Mackey, Bruce Redd, Johnny Powell, and Anthony Hudson became the first official line of Vash Na Ha. 

The organization decided to apply for instatement as a formal and chartered organization. Through the diligent efforts of the founding members, Brothers Minor and Thompson along with several other members the formal constitution of 

Vash Na Ha was compiled and made available for organizational approval. With the goals being clearly defined, Vash Na Ha recognized the importance of having a faculty advisor to represent the organization and become the spokes person to the administration. Vash Na Ha was truly fortunate in acquiring the services of Professor C.E. Prewitt as the official advisor to the organization. 

To Break down the meaning:

          Brotherhood - Know ye thy brother with support and love

          Unity - The idea of ‘oneness’ and working towards a common goal

          Achievement - The sum total of one’s accomplishments and deeds

As the popularity of the organization grew it was suggested and confirmed that all future inductees would be known as: 

Palms: The palm is a part of the hand which became the symbol of the Vash Na Ha organization. Subsequently, in May of 1965. the first official Palm club, consisting of 5 young men, were inducted into the Sacred Order of Vash Na Ha.

As we march on into the future, our wonderful organization has realized the importance of community activism, local and national political access, and financial security as it pertains to people of color and the disenfranchised. With GOD’s blessings and the love and support of each brother. 

The Sacred Order of Vash Na Ha will continue to move forward led by the following quotes from our brothers: 

         A VISION WITHOUT FAITH IS A FANTACY

         KEEP HOPE ALIVE

         WE WILL NEVER QUIT

Without Brotherhood, Unity, and Achievement there is no hope!