"Taylor, carry on for Sigma until we meet again." - Bro. W.F. Vincent, 1917 a few months before his untimely death.
above: Alpha Chapter @ Howard University, May 1914.

Sparked in the fall of 1913 in a local YMCA by three young men - A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse and Charles I. Brown, The Fraternity was formally organized 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 unparralleled 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 segration 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 organization 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.

Sigma, although not the oldest existing African-American fraternity (like Sigma Pi Phi, 1904), or the oldest collegiate fraternity in existence (like Alpha Phi Alpha, 1906), has a significant amount of 'firsts' which establish our organization as unique. Among them:

• We are the first organization to have Presidents of other countries in our membership (Honarable Brothers Kwame Nkrumah, Dr. Nnamdia Azikiwe)
• We are the first greek letter organization offered a chance to merge with another African-American Greek-Letter Organization in 1915 (Phi Nu Pi, now known as Kappa Alpha Psi)...
• We are the first greek letter organization to hold a joint International Convention with another African-American Greek-Letter Organization (Omega Psi Phi ). This is significant because it is the first attempt at interfraternal communication and cooperation among African-American greeks prior to the formation of the NPHC in 1930.
• We are the first greek letter organization to be recognized by Howard University, April 15, 1914 (Omega Psi Phi wasn't until October 28,1914)
• We are the first greek letter organization to own and operate a Credit Union for its Members...
• We are the first greek letter organization to establish Chapters in the Continent of Africa...
• We are the first greek letter organization to establish a youth auxilliary program, The Sigma Beta Club

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 Muhummad was the coordinator behind the event. Our focus for the Year 2000-Issues Impacting the African-American Male. Over 85 years after its' inception, Sigma continues to thrive over 105,000 men strong in the US, Africa, Germany, the Philipines and other parts of the world.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity is one of nine (9) African-American Fraternities and sororities that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council.