A heartfelt Gratitude

  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.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. The five illustrious founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Arizona Clever Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Viola Tyler Goings, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, and Fannie Pettie Watts dared to depart from the traditional coalitions for Black women and sought to establish a new organization. Their vision was to encourage the highest standards of scholarship through scientific, literary, cultural, and educational programs; promote volunteerism on college campuses and in the community; foster sisterhood; and exemplify finer womanhood. These ideals are reflected in the sorority’s national programs for which its members and auxiliary groups provide significant volunteer service, financial capital, and professional talent to educate the public, assist youth, enrich community outreach programs, fund scholarships, support organized charities and promote legislation for civic and social change, help youth, provide scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change.

  Upsilon Gamma Sigma Chapter

Established with a commitment to fostering excellence in our community, the Upsilon Gamma Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, Incorporated, holds a steadfast purpose. Our vision extends beyond the ordinary; we aspire to cultivate a membership of exceptional men dedicated to the ideals of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service. Founded on October 14, 2023, in Temple, Texas, by distinguished Charter members—Cean Mack, Lyndon Gilford, Tony Austin, Michael Hodges, Andre Fontenot, and Gregory Harris—our chapter emerged from a collective recognition of a void within the local and surrounding communities.

Our mission goes beyond the traditional scope of a fraternity; we aim to unite men of culture, patriotism, and honor in a powerful bond of fraternity. As ambassadors of positive change, we are driven by a desire to address the unique needs of Temple and its vicinity. Not only do we identify and confront the challenges facing our community, but we also devote ourselves to mentoring the next generation, our community's youth, ensuring they inherit values of integrity, leadership, and resilience.

Drawing from the rich legacy of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, our chapter brings forth a history steeped in Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service. We strive for greatness in our membership, recognizing that the strength of our impact lies in the collective dedication of exceptional individuals. Our commitment to education is paramount, with a focus on empowering our members and the community at large through mentorship programs, particularly with the Sigma Beta Club. As we embark on this journey, we envision a future where Upsilon Gamma Sigma continues to be a beacon of inspiration, fostering positive change and leaving an indelible mark on the Temple community.

Gamma Psi Zeta

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Gamma Psi Zeta Chapter initially charted during the 60s in Temple, Texas, with professional individuals who grew its membership to many women over the years who embarked upon the Temple community with services that met its community needs. The chapter slowly dwindled as members aged, and its sustainability ceased.

On October 12, 2023, the Gamma Psi Zeta Chapter reactivated, returning to the Temple community and reviving their initiatives promoting the mind, body, and spirit of men, women, and children. The recharting members are LaVanda Bailey, Kimberly Chiles, Dr. Natasha Dominguez, Dr. Zoe Grant, Dr. Sukeetah N. Key, Geneva Meshack, Alyxus Key-Rivera, Rashawn Smith, Tiffany Brown Walton, and Natasha Wilson, who have taken on the charge to flourish the chapter with new members and to harness the power of our community to create positive change. We can build a community that thrives on compassion, collaboration, and a shared commitment to service.

Our chapter comprises dedicated, diverse professionals passionate about our mission. Each member brings a unique skill and perspective to the chapter, building a better- and well-rounded organization for the collective advancement of our community. Together, we are committed to making a difference with our national service initiatives Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel), Zeta Cares (Elder Care Program), Zetas Have Heart (Health and Self Care), Stork's Nest (Prenatal Care and Education). We give countless hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, and support organized charities.