The History of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Howard University in Washington, DC 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 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, 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 services
to the general community. Rather than gaining skills to be utilized exclusively for themselves and their
immediate families, the founders of Phi Beta Sigma held the deep conviction that they should return
their newly acquired skills to the communities from which they had come. This deep conviction was
mirrored in the fraternity motto, "Culture For Service and Service For Humanity."
Today, more than three-quarters of a century 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 Nkrumah, Dr.
Nnamdia Azikiwe, and Nelson Mandela).
First Greek-letter Fraternity to be recognized by Howard University 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 Black 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 Black 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 2 African Americans have EVER
been on the face of a US coin: George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington--who was
not Greek
First to establish chapters in the Continent of Africa
First to establish Graduate/Alumni Membership
First to establish an 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 Headquarters.
If you didn't know...now you know!!!
Often IMITATED, but never DUPLICATED!
