Fraternity History
A Brief History of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.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 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”.
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.
Mission Statement
The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma are the Fraternity’s most valuable resource and strength. They are the primary means by which the Phi Beta Sigma objectives will be achieved. In order to accomplish the Fraternity’s objectives, it is essential that systems are instituted that effectively embody “Culture For Service and Service For Humanity” and promote brotherhood, scholarship and service.
To optimize Phi Beta Sigma’s effectiveness, the Fraternity will:
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”.
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.
Mission Statement
The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma are the Fraternity’s most valuable resource and strength. They are the primary means by which the Phi Beta Sigma objectives will be achieved. In order to accomplish the Fraternity’s objectives, it is essential that systems are instituted that effectively embody “Culture For Service and Service For Humanity” and promote brotherhood, scholarship and service.
To optimize Phi Beta Sigma’s effectiveness, the Fraternity will:
- Strengthen and serve proactively the brotherhood, as a supportive resource that positively impacts the Fraternity’s growth and financial solvency.
- Reaffirm and maintain a strong commitment to brotherhood, scholarship and service.
- Ensure that the Fraternity programs are focused and committed to serving humanity.
- Create an environment that respects the dignity and worth of each brother.
- Exhibit integrity and ethical behavior in conducting the Fraternity’s business. serving as a model for all Greek-letter organizations.
- Maintain and improve the Fraternity’s technological literacy, in order to better service its members and the community at large.
- Foster and nurture our constitutional bond with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
- Encourage a closer and mutually beneficial working relationship with fellow
- Greek-letter organizations, other community service organizations, businesses and government.
- Select leaders who are committed and have demonstrated their ability to lead.
Chapter History
During the decade of the 2010’s, there were several conversations about forming another Sigma Alumni Chapter in Hillsborough County-Tampa, FL, but none of those conversations moved forward.
On August 4, 2019 in Brandon, FL, four brothers, Bro. William “Bill” Betts, Bro. Roderick “Rod” Carter, Bro. Zannie Mount and Bro. Tramaine Whittey met to give serious consideration to charter a new alumni chapter in Hillsborough County. These four brothers decided to reach out to inactive brothers in the county, as well as brothers that were interested in joining a new chapter.
A series of meetings were held during the fall of 2019 and there was strong interest to charter a new alumni chapter. It was decided to submit a charter application to the Southern Regional Director, Bro. Roy Edmonds.
The following brothers: Trenton Brooks, Roderick “Rod” Carter, Karll Francois, Dexter Hall, Jermaine Hankerson, Anthony Merchant, Zannie Mount, Rev. Byron Pressley, Sr., Dominick Ray, Ronald Rivera, Jerry Saint Clair, George Selvie, Daniel Smith, Jonovan Stafford, Tramaine Whittey, Ronald Wilford, Arthur Williams, III and Ian Wilson, Sr. submitted the necessary charter application, fees and five-year sustainability plan to Bro. Edmonds on November 23, 2019.
Bro. Edmonds presented the charter application to the Hon. Bro. Michael Cristal, 35th International President and the General Board at the Fraternity’s Winter General Board meeting for their consideration to approve the charter. On January 18, 2020, the General Board unanimously approved the charter application and the chapter was born.
The Hon. Bro. Daryl Anderson, Sr., International Executive Director, informed the charter members that the name of the chapter would be Sigma Xi Sigma Chapter of Hillsborough County, FL.
Within the first four months of the formation of Sigma Xi Sigma Chapter, the following brothers joined the charter members to form the nucleus of the chapter:
Brothers William “Bill” Betts, Reginald Coonce, Chris Cyrille, Michael Dove, Daniel Emmanuel, Dimitri Guerrier, Willie Hallmon, Dorian Jones, Reginal Mitchell, Maurece Parrish, Gerald Paye, Robert Wallace, III, Jamal Wilburg, John Eaton,Pernell Reid, Anthony Kimpson Nicolas Rivera and Jarvis Beauchamp.
The charter will provide service throughout the county with emphasis in the North Tampa-Temple Terrace-Sulphur Springs-University of South Florida-New Tampa communities.
This is a brief history of the Sigma Xi Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
On August 4, 2019 in Brandon, FL, four brothers, Bro. William “Bill” Betts, Bro. Roderick “Rod” Carter, Bro. Zannie Mount and Bro. Tramaine Whittey met to give serious consideration to charter a new alumni chapter in Hillsborough County. These four brothers decided to reach out to inactive brothers in the county, as well as brothers that were interested in joining a new chapter.
A series of meetings were held during the fall of 2019 and there was strong interest to charter a new alumni chapter. It was decided to submit a charter application to the Southern Regional Director, Bro. Roy Edmonds.
The following brothers: Trenton Brooks, Roderick “Rod” Carter, Karll Francois, Dexter Hall, Jermaine Hankerson, Anthony Merchant, Zannie Mount, Rev. Byron Pressley, Sr., Dominick Ray, Ronald Rivera, Jerry Saint Clair, George Selvie, Daniel Smith, Jonovan Stafford, Tramaine Whittey, Ronald Wilford, Arthur Williams, III and Ian Wilson, Sr. submitted the necessary charter application, fees and five-year sustainability plan to Bro. Edmonds on November 23, 2019.
Bro. Edmonds presented the charter application to the Hon. Bro. Michael Cristal, 35th International President and the General Board at the Fraternity’s Winter General Board meeting for their consideration to approve the charter. On January 18, 2020, the General Board unanimously approved the charter application and the chapter was born.
The Hon. Bro. Daryl Anderson, Sr., International Executive Director, informed the charter members that the name of the chapter would be Sigma Xi Sigma Chapter of Hillsborough County, FL.
Within the first four months of the formation of Sigma Xi Sigma Chapter, the following brothers joined the charter members to form the nucleus of the chapter:
Brothers William “Bill” Betts, Reginald Coonce, Chris Cyrille, Michael Dove, Daniel Emmanuel, Dimitri Guerrier, Willie Hallmon, Dorian Jones, Reginal Mitchell, Maurece Parrish, Gerald Paye, Robert Wallace, III, Jamal Wilburg, John Eaton,Pernell Reid, Anthony Kimpson Nicolas Rivera and Jarvis Beauchamp.
The charter will provide service throughout the county with emphasis in the North Tampa-Temple Terrace-Sulphur Springs-University of South Florida-New Tampa communities.
This is a brief history of the Sigma Xi Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.