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Phi Beta Sigma (ΦΒΣ) is a predominantly African-American fraternity which was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 1914. by three young African-American male students. The founders A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse, and Charles I. Brown, wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would exemplify the ideals of brotherhood, scholarship, and service. The fraternity is the only one of its kind to aid in the creation and hold a constitutional bond with a predominantly African-American sorority, Zeta Phi Beta (ΖΦΒ). The sorority was incorporated on January 16, 1920 in Washington, D.C.
The fraternity expanded when second and third chapters were chartered at Wiley College and Morgan State College in 1915. Today, the fraternity serves through a membership of more than 150,000 men in over 650 chapters in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. Although Phi Beta Sigma is considered a predominantly African-American Fraternity, membership also consists of college-educated men of African, Caucasian, Hispanic, Native American and Asian descent. Men may join through collegiate chapters at a college or university, or through a graduate chapter with at least 2 years undergraduate.
Since the fraternity's establishment over ninety six years ago, Phi Beta Sigma has helped to improve the general welfare of African Americans, and provided leadership and service during the Great Depression, World Wars I & II, the Civil Rights Movements, and created service initiatives relating to Business, Economic Empowerment, Education, Political Awareness, and Health. Phi Beta Sigma is a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). The current International President is Jimmy Hammock, and the fraternity's headquarters are located at 145 Kennedy Street, NW Washington, D.C.
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