Delta Chapter
of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
Genesis
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Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated 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.
Giving Back
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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, the founders of Phi Beta Sigma 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".
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Moving Forward
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Today Phi Beta Sigma has blossomed into an international organization of leaders. No longer a single entity, the Fraternity has now established the Phi Beta Sigma Educational Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Housing Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union, and the Phi Beta Sigma Charitable Outreach Foundation. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, founded in 1920 with the assistance of Phi Beta Sigma, 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 relationship.
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A. Langston Taylor
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The most honorable founding father A. Langston Taylor was a tall, lanky lad from Memphis, TN; easy going but tireless. His eyes were set deep in a brown skin face that showed a squared chin and prominent ears. His speech was pleasant; his oratory stirring. One of the greatest names in Sigma history, the most honorable founding father Taylor was the spark that lighted the Sigma flame among the three. More than any other he is responsible for the growth of the Fraternity - especially in the earlier years. He has been National Pres., Secretary, Treasurer, Field Secretary, and President of the Distinguished Service Chapter. His triumphant life came to an end August 8, 1953.
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Leonard F. Morse
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The most honorable founding father Leonard F. Morse was shy, thin, and dark. He was very much the New Englander from New Bedford Massachusetts. He was the first elected Alpha Chapter President; holder of Sigma's Distinguished Service Key. The most honorable founding father Leonard F. Morse was also the first male student at Howard University to earn two degrees in three years. He also earned (3) bachelor degrees, (1) Master Degree (2) Doctorate Degrees before his death. MHF Morse was the President of both Edward Waters College, and Dean of both Payne University and Bethel Colleges. He later became the Florida State Dir., and personally organized nine chapters with in that state. 1953.
Charles I. Brown
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The most honorable founding father Charles I. Brown was physically a little smaller than average; his cheek bones were high, his "cowlicks" deep. Socially, he was known to be a "perfect gentleman." This is to say that he had that gracious courtesy that is commonly associated with the Eighteenth Century ideal type; never hurried, never flustered reticent and affable. He was the third member of the "Great Three" who founded Phi Beta Sigma. The most honorable founding father Charles I. Brown entered Howard University in 1907 graduating in 1914. After Graduating, he taught English for public schools in Topeka , KS. The most honorable founding father Charles I. Brown is noted for founding of Delta Chapter atKansas State University, the first chapter in Sigma History to be chartered on a racially mixed university campus. No one knows what became of Most Honorable Brother Charles I. Brown. Those that know and love him well hope daily to hear from him in the near future.