98 Years and Still Serving Humanity…
Tau Beta Sigma Chapter
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
They wanted to organize a Greek letter
fraternity that would truly exemplify the
ideals of brotherhood, scholarship, and
service.
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".
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, they held a 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's
motto, "Culture For Service and Service For
Humanity".
A. LANGSTON
TAYLOR
January 29, 1890 - August 8, 1953
Founder Taylor coined "Culture for Service,
Service for Humanity".
A tireless worker, he worked hard in seeing
that Sigma maintained its illustrious history, by
serving on the history committee and
providing numerous forms of notes, minutes,
and oral history to those who served with him.
Founder Taylor retired from federal service
where he worked at the Smithsonian Institute.
He is buried at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in
Suitland, Maryland. His gravesite sits at the
highest peak.
LEONARD F.
MORSE
January 12, 1891 – May 22, 1961
Founder Morse was a student of the Greek
language and he named our beloved fraternity
An outstanding educator and prophet he lived
a busy and resourceful life, having served in
many institutions and areas of Educational and
Religious life.
Founder Morse was married and had five
children, two of which are brothers of this
fraternity. Most recently his grandson joined
Our Wondrous Band.
Leonard F. Morse was the last living Founder of
Phi Beta Sigma.
CHARLES I. BROWN
He is credited with choosing the 9 charter
members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Founder
Brown founded the Delta Chapter of Phi Beta
Sigma at Kansas State University in Manhattan,
Kansas, on April 9, 1917,
Although we may never find out the fate of our
beloved Founder, always remember, “March
on, March on, Ye mighty host” for Founder
Charles I. Brown will remain in our hearts.
Founder Brown left us with this quotation “No
legacy is so rich as honesty”.
MISSION STATEMENT
The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma are the Fraternity's most valuable resource
and strength. To optimize Phi Beta Sigma's effectiveness, the Fraternity
will:
1. Strengthen and serve proactively the brotherhood.
2. Reaffirm and maintain a strong commitment to brotherhood, scholarship and service.
3. Ensure that the Fraternity programs are focused and committed to serving humanity.
4. Create an environment that respects the dignity and worth of each brother.
5. Exhibit integrity and ethical behavior in conducting the Fraternity's business.
6. Maintain and improve the Fraternity's technological literacy.
7. Foster and nurture our constitutional bond with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
8. Encourage a closer relationship with NPHC, other community service organizations.
9. Select leaders who are committed and have demonstrated their ability to lead.
*We are an international organization comprised of
150,000 college-educated men, focuses on issues that
impact the youth and our communities.
*Through our national mentoring program for males
ages 8-18, the organization provides opportunities for
the development of young men as they prepare for
college and the workforce.
*The organization's partnerships with the American
Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Center for Disease
Control and Prevention, Boy Scouts of America and the
Thurgood Marshall College Fund speak to its mission to
address societal ills
The Phi Beta Sigma programs of Bigger and
Better Business, Education and Social
Action are realized through the Fraternity's
overarching program, Sigma Wellness.
Sigma Wellness is a Phi Beta Sigma
Fraternity. The following objectives:
1. To support Sigma’s vision of ensuring
programs are focused and committed to
serving our communities and serving young
males through mentoring and scholarships.
2. To ensure symmetry among all of our
organizational and community initiatives.
3. To develop a sense of pride and
commitment in the community toward
healthy living that will reduce the
incidences of health conditions that
adversely affect men of color.
Social Action
Bigger Better Business
Education
*Phi Beta Sigma can lay claim to not only supporting, but also sponsoring
the Million Man March in its International Headquarters.
*First to establish a youth auxiliary program (Sigma Beta Club)
*First to have Presidents of other countries in it's membership (Hon. Bros.
Kwame Nkrumah, and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe
*FIRST and ONLY Black Greek-Letter Fraternity to have one of its members
on the face of a U.S. Coin. George Washington Carver (1951)
*First Black Greek-Letter Fraternity to be recognized by Howard University
April 15, 1914 (Omega Psi Phi wasn't until October 28, 1914).
*First Fraternity to be offered a merger with another Fraternity
*First Fraternity to step with a cane (Not Kappa Alpha Psi).
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, is the
sister organization of the Fraternity. No
other fraternity and sorority is
constitutionally bound as Sigma and Zeta.
We both enjoy and foster a mutually
supportive relation.
Often Imitated-Never Duplicated
Sigmas are country
bumpkins
Free access to some
Zeta-loving
Automatically become
attractive to women;
Sigma-debonair
SIGMA Myths?!?
Automatically receive the
“hook-up” from other
bruhs
We need anyone and
everyone; we will take
whatever we can get
We are disorganized
and small in numbers
I.
Be an active brother
A. Come to chapter meetings
1. First Mondays of each month
B. Attend state, regional, and national conference
1. National conference (Conclave) is biannual
C. Participate on committees for our national programs
1. Social Action
2. Scholarship
3. Bigger Better Business
D. Pay national and chapter dues; become financial
Bro. Al Roker; news correspondent - Honorary
Bro. Blair Underwood; actor
Bro. Terrence Howard; actor - Honorary
Bro. Emmitt Smith; NFL Hall of Fame
Bro. Frank Trigg; World Champion Ultimate Fighter
Bro. Hines Ward; NFL Pittsburgh Steelers
Bro. Rev. Al Sharpton; civil rights activist - Honorary
Bro. A. Philip Randolph; initiated the March on Washington- Omega
Bro. Bill Clinton; former President of the US - Honorary
Bro. Delxino S. Wilson de Briano; Founder & CEO of Tag Team Marketing
Bro. Herman J. Russell; His organization is the largest minority-owned general
contractor in the US.
Bro. Kase L. Lawal; CEO of CAMAC International Corporation
Bro. Rev. Al Sharpton; Civil Rights Activist and President of the National
Action Network
Bro. Hosea Williams; Civil Rights Activist - Omega
Bro. John Lewis; U.S. Congressman & Civil Rights Activist
Bro. Dr. David Swinton; Columbia, SC - President, Benedict College –
Beta Chi Sigma
Bro. George Washington Carver; World Famous Scientist - Omega
Bro. Rod Paige; Jackson State University - Secretary of Education –
Alpha Beta Sigma