Wiley College (1939)

I just got a 1939 Wiley College (Beta Chapter) yearbook. It is so brittle and falling apart, but here are the 1939 Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta Pictures from that yearbook.

Why We All Need to Stay the Course

I hope you are all having a good day today. I tell you, our Ancestors watch over me everyday. Just when I say, this is some **, I am reminded constantly, of whose shoulders we stand on and the greatness that is Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Last night, I had the opportunity to speak to the Hon. Bro. Robert Booker, DSC #141, out of Knoxville, TN. In 2002, Bro. Booker published the book Eighty-Three Years of History in the Southeastern Region. We had a great conversation, him kicking me historical facts, telling me stories about Conclaves before my time (Bro. Booker was made at Knoxville College in 1958) and stories about legends in Sigma like the Hon. William E. Doar and Hon. Von Mizell, and his days in researching our history.

He has a few of his 2002 history books left if you are interested, but not many, so if you get one or have one, it maybe a collectors item. If you want a book, you can contact Hon. Bro. Booker directly. It is best to call him after 9pm EST.

This just reaffirms that we need to embrace our seasoned Brothers, make sure that they get to frat meetings and fraternity events, and learn from them, and all that they are willing to teach us.

God Bless Hon. Bro. Robert Booker

1916 Howard Yearbook

In April of 1914, Phi Beta Sigma became the first fraternity “officially” recognize and approved by the Board of Deans on the campus of Howard University. Below is the 1916 Phi Beta Sigma yearbook page and description. Note: Sigma Founder Charles I. Brown graduated in the class of 1914.

My new fave history piece

Back in January, we shared with you the news of the passing of Bro. Leonard F. Morse, Jr. On our way to collecting our great history, the “renegade historians” have developed fantastic relationships with the families of our early members and Founder Morse’s family is no exception. Upon his passing, we urged many Brothers to send Bro. Decatur Morse, Sr. condolences, prayers and cards. I came home yesterday to find this in the mail.

It is now my favorite piece of Sigma history. In case you want to see the card I sent, here it is courtesy of (shameless plug) Treat.com.

Today in Sigma History (2006)

Last night, I had the pleasure of spending time with fellow renegade Bro. Kevin Christian who is in town for a work conference. We hung out in San Francisco with a few brothers from my chapter at a local sports bar to catch playoffs and talk Sigma. He had some goodies with him like Bro. Francis Hall’s autograph book, which we’ve featured on here over the years. In addition to sharing some great stories about Sigma history, we also got in a few laughs – like how Kevin finally learned about the Castro district and his non-adventure to find his cousin a t-shirt.

Hard to believe we’ve been at this since 2006. I took a look back to find the first Today in Sigma History post and here it is from June 2006: Bro. Eugene T. Alexander. The first editor of the Phi Beta Sigma Journal.