The blueprints for this revolutionary new fraternity were laid down in 1913 -- months before the actual founding date. In a local YMCA, three young men - A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse, and Charles I. Brown organized the now global entity called Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.
The founders deeply wished to create an organization that viewed itself as "a part of'' rather than apart from'' the general community." They believed that each potential member should be judged on his own merits rather than his family background or affluence, without regard of race, nationality, color of skin or texture of hair. They wanted their fraternity to exist as a part of an even greater brotherhood which would be devoted to the "inclusive we'' rather than the "exclusive we.''
The Fraternity was formally founded and chartered at Howard University in the year of light (1914). Founded upon the principles of Brotherhood, Service and Scholarship, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity has constantly remained a force of change in the African-American Community. Through it's three National Programs, Bigger and Better Business, Social Action and Education, the Fraternity has demonstrated unparalleled excellence and leadership; our National mentoring program, the Sigma Beta Club, one of the more notable accomplishments of the Fraternity, has helped to shape and mold young men and boys nationwide.
Phi Beta Sigma's focus in past social issues included being instrumental in establishing National and State Anti-Lynching legislation in the 1930's and 40's, the elimination of racial discrimination and segregation in federal, state, municipal and county employment in the 50's and 60's along with the abolition of Jim Crow Laws. Brother A. Phillip Randolph was a key factor and the mind behind the march on Washington during the sixties civil right's movement, as was Brother Huey P. Newton in awakening the minds of African-Americans to rise up out of the plight of mental slavery.
Though often imitated, we can never be properly duplicated- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. still remain the first and only constitutionally bound brother-sister African-American Greek letter organizations in existence. Others have come along and tried to imitate what Sigma and Zeta began, but they were not built from the same framework and thus, can never be called a true family.
In the year of 1995, Phi Beta Sigma in cooperation with our lovely sorors of Zeta, became the only African-American Fraternity and Sorority to not only SUPPORT the Million Man March in Washington, DC, but to SPONSOR it as well, with Phi Beta Sigma's headquarters at 145 Kennedy St. NW in Washington, DC serving as the National Headquarters for the event. Our distinguished Brother Benjamin Chavis was the coordinator behind the event. Our focus for the Year 2003- Bridging the Gap: Between the community and young African-American males:
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity is one of nine (9) African-American Fraternities and Sororities that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council. We pride ourselves in having a unique link with our African culture in that Phi Beta Sigma is a fraternity based on African Heritage. Ours was the first Black Greek Letter Organization to establish chapters in Africa, and we are often called the Fraternity of African Presidents, Princes and Kings. Through knowledge of self and self help we feel that we can return to the cultural greatness that we once possessed.
The founders deeply wished to create an organization that viewed itself as "a part of'' rather than apart from'' the general community." They believed that each potential member should be judged on his own merits rather than his family background or affluence, without regard of race, nationality, color of skin or texture of hair. They wanted their fraternity to exist as a part of an even greater brotherhood which would be devoted to the "inclusive we'' rather than the "exclusive we.''
The Fraternity was formally founded and chartered at Howard University in the year of light (1914). Founded upon the principles of Brotherhood, Service and Scholarship, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity has constantly remained a force of change in the African-American Community. Through it's three National Programs, Bigger and Better Business, Social Action and Education, the Fraternity has demonstrated unparalleled excellence and leadership; our National mentoring program, the Sigma Beta Club, one of the more notable accomplishments of the Fraternity, has helped to shape and mold young men and boys nationwide.
Phi Beta Sigma's focus in past social issues included being instrumental in establishing National and State Anti-Lynching legislation in the 1930's and 40's, the elimination of racial discrimination and segregation in federal, state, municipal and county employment in the 50's and 60's along with the abolition of Jim Crow Laws. Brother A. Phillip Randolph was a key factor and the mind behind the march on Washington during the sixties civil right's movement, as was Brother Huey P. Newton in awakening the minds of African-Americans to rise up out of the plight of mental slavery.
Though often imitated, we can never be properly duplicated- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. still remain the first and only constitutionally bound brother-sister African-American Greek letter organizations in existence. Others have come along and tried to imitate what Sigma and Zeta began, but they were not built from the same framework and thus, can never be called a true family.
In the year of 1995, Phi Beta Sigma in cooperation with our lovely sorors of Zeta, became the only African-American Fraternity and Sorority to not only SUPPORT the Million Man March in Washington, DC, but to SPONSOR it as well, with Phi Beta Sigma's headquarters at 145 Kennedy St. NW in Washington, DC serving as the National Headquarters for the event. Our distinguished Brother Benjamin Chavis was the coordinator behind the event. Our focus for the Year 2003- Bridging the Gap: Between the community and young African-American males:
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity is one of nine (9) African-American Fraternities and Sororities that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council. We pride ourselves in having a unique link with our African culture in that Phi Beta Sigma is a fraternity based on African Heritage. Ours was the first Black Greek Letter Organization to establish chapters in Africa, and we are often called the Fraternity of African Presidents, Princes and Kings. Through knowledge of self and self help we feel that we can return to the cultural greatness that we once possessed.