Our Great Organization

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.

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 that 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”.

Today, Phi Beta Sigma has blossomed into an international organization of leaders. No longer a single entity, members of the Fraternity have been instrumental in the establishment of the Phi Beta Sigma National Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union and The Sigma Beta Club Foundation. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, founded in 1920 with the assistance of Phi Beta Sigma, is the sister organization of the Fraternity.

Chapter History

In October 2021, Brothers Mark Cruse and Dr. Lanor Payne initiated discussions about chartering a new chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Recognizing the importance of collaboration, they sought the involvement of Bro. Mike Harvey, with whom they had collaborated on various Fraternity Committees. Multiple meetings at Bro. Harvey's home were conducted to gain insights into the constitutional requirements of the chartering process.

After several months of documentation and strategic planning, Bro. Harvey, for personal reasons, decided to step back. Undeterred, Brothers Cruse and Dr. Payne persisted in exploring ways to contribute to the work of Sigma. They delved into discussions on best practices employed by chapters that enhanced the brand of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and fostered brotherhood growth. In October 2022, Brother Harvey revisited the idea of chartering a chapter, inquiring if Brothers Cruse and Dr. Payne still harbored the desire and energy for such an endeavor. Both affirmed their commitment. Dusting off the plans from 2021, they resumed their efforts, documenting best practices to establish a sustainable environment for service. Brothers Courtney Stevenson and Gregory A Wilson Sr. were approached to evaluate the plan, and both expressed their willingness to be a part of the proposed chapter, meeting the constitutional requirements for submission.

The five brothers commenced their work, formulating a strategic and well-planned process to build the chapter. They crafted a comprehensive business case, and after fulfilling all processes and constitutional requirements, initiated an informational discussion with other interested brothers. Sixteen additional brothers committed to the chartering of the new chapter while emphasizing community service. On March 1, 2023, the Chapter Charter application was submitted to our Fraternity's International Headquarters, culminating in the official chartering of the Upsilon Zeta Sigma Chapter on October 14, 2023.

  • Bro. Dr. Lanor E. Payne

  • Bro. LeAnder Brockman, Jr.

  • Bro. Jeremy Jones

  • Bro. Robert Terry Mason, II

  • Bro. Lorenzo Stanley

  • Bro. Jarrad D. Luckey

  • Bro. Gary Hickman

  • Bro. Michael A. Harvey

  • Bro. Courtney Stevenson

  • Bro. Ira L. Hughes, Jr.

  • Bro. Lionel Kemp

  • Bro. Dr. Saint I. Rice

  • Bro. Terrence Starks

  • Bro. Dr. Robert Porter

OUR CHAPTER CHARTER MEMBERS

  • Bro. Mark A. Cruse

  • Bro. Gregory A. Wilson, Sr.

  • Bro. Keith E. Jefferson

  • Bro. Michael Love

  • Bro. Isaiah Roberts

  • Bro. Dr. N. James Vick

  • Bro. Etoya R. White