Key Events and Background

• January 1914: Significant month for world history.
  • Woodrow Wilson's second year as U.S. President.
  • Introduction of assembly line production by Ford.
  • First scheduled airline passenger flight.
  • Founding of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. at Howard University.

Founding of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

• Date: January 9, 1914
• Location: Howard University, Washington D.C.
• Founders: A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morris, Charles I. Brown
• Motto: "Culture for service and service for humanity"

Founders' Contributions and Backgrounds

A. Langston Taylor

• Originally conceived the idea for the fraternity in 1910.
• Described as poised, distinguished, and hardworking.
• Held various significant roles in the fraternity: National President, National Secretary, Field Secretary.
• Passion for historical research and preservation.
• Passed away in August 1953, buried in Maryland.

Leonard F. Morris

• Valedictorian of high school, held two bachelor's degrees from Howard University.
• Named the fraternity and wrote its first constitution.
• Served as the first president of the Alpha chapter.
• Passed away in May 1961.

Charles I. Brown

• Popular with both students and administration at Howard.
• Credited with choosing the nine charter members.
• Founded the Delta chapter at Kansas State University in 1917.
• Little is known about him post-1931.

Principles of Phi Beta Sigma

• Focus on community service and inclusion.
• Evaluates potential members on merits and desire to serve.
• Strong encouragement to share knowledge and skills with the community.

Achievements and Influence

• First among Black Greek-letter organizations to:
  • Establish alumni chapters and youth mentoring clubs.
  • Establish collegiate chapters outside of the U.S.
• Only fraternity with a constitutional bond with a sorority: Zeta Beta, founded in 1920.

Symbolism and Impact

• Colors: Royal blue and white, symbolizing limitless potential.
• Hundreds of thousands of members over 100 years, many becoming distinguished individuals.