Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., January 9, 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 ideals of brotherhood, scholarship, and service.

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The Founders deeply wished to create an organization that viewed itself as “a part of” the general community rather than “apart from” the general community. They believed that each potential member should be judged by his own merits, rather than his family background or affluence…without regard to race, nationality, skin tone or texture of hair. They desired for their fraternity to exist as part of an even greater brotherhood which would be devoted to the “inclusive we” rather than the “exclusive we”.

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As one of the nine predominately Black Greek-Letter organizations, Phi Beta Sigma has a membership of over 150,000 brothers with 850 chapters throughout the continental United States, Switzerland, Europe, the Caribbean Islands, and Africa.

 

History

Phi Beta Sigma consists of men dedicated to enhancing great minds and promoting systematic fellowship, African-American freedom, justice, equal rights, and service to America's communities. Being both a social and service organization, Phi Beta Sigma has many programs such as our three National Programs: Social Action, Education, and Bigger and Better Business. In order to implement these and other programs, the Fraternity works with organizations such as: The National Pan-Hellenic Council, the NAACP, the National Urban League, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, and National Boys' Club of America. We are an organization that is concerned and involved in meeting the need of the community.