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| PHI BETA SIGMA HISTORY |
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| Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Howard University in Washington, DC on January 9th, 1914 by three young African American male students. The founders, Honorable A. Langston Taylor, Honorable Leonard F. Morse, and Honorable Charles I. Brown wanted to organize a Greek-letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the high ideals of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service. The founders deeply wished to create an organization that viewed itself as "a part of" the general community. They belived that each potential member should be judged on his own merits rather than his family background or affluence, without regard of race, nationality, color,skin tone or texture of hair. They wished and wanted their fraternity to exist as a part of an even greater brotherhood-sisterhood which would be devoted to the "inclusive we" rather than the "exclusive we." From its inception, the founders also conceived Phi Beta Sigma as a mechanism to deliver service to the general community. Rather than gaining skills to be utilized exchusively for themselves and their immediate families, the founders of Phi Beta Sigma held the deep conviction that they should return their newly acquired skills the the communities from which they had come. This deep conviction was mirrored in the fraternity motto, "Culture For Service and Sernice For Humanity." Today, more than three-quarters of a centry later, Phi Beta Sigma has blossomed into an international organization of leaders. No longer a single entity, the fraternity has now established the Phi Beta Sigma Educational Foundation, Inc. and the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union (to build financial equity within our target communities). With the force, vigor, power, and energy of its more than 100,000 dedicated men united in more than 700 chapters across the United States, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, Phi Beta Sigma continues to faithfully perpetuate composite growth and progress as the "people's fraternity" dedicated to providing services to all humanity. Fraternity of Firsts We are often called the Fraternity of African Presidents, Kings and Princes. We weren't the first African-American Greek-Letter Fraternity to be founded... However, we are definitely the Fraternity of Firsts... First to have Presidents of other countries in its membership (Bros. Kwame Nkrunah, Dr. Nnamdia Azikiwe, and Nelson Mandela). First Greek-letter Fraternity to be recognized by Howard University on April 15, 1914. (Omega Psi Phi wasn't until October 28, 1914) First to hold a joint International Convention with another African-American Fraternity (Omega Psi Phi). First to be offered a chance to merge with another Fraternity (Kappa Alpha Psi...Thanks but no thanks!!!). First to establish a chapter south of the state of Virginia before the year 1915. First and ONLY African-American Greek-Letter Fraternity to establish a constitutional bond with a Sorority (Zeta Phi Beta). First to establish a youth auxiliary program (Sigma Beta Club). First to own and operate a Credit Union for its members. First and ONLY African-American Greek-Letter Fraternity to have one of its members on the face of a U.S. Coin. (George Washington Carver: The 1951 Half Dollar) Only two African-Americans have EVER been on the face of a U.S. Coin: The other one was Booker T. Washington (who was not Greek). First to establish chapters in the Continent of Africa. First to establish a Graduate/Alumni Chapter. First to use the cane...(it was used for style). First to use the Dogmatic Image (not the Q's). First to come with the idea for the NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council). Lastly, many Fraternities may have supported the Million-Man March, but only PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY, INCORPORATED can lay claim to not only supporting, but also sponsoring the March in its International HeadQuaters. If you didn't know...now you know!!! Often IMITATED, but never Duplicated!!! |
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