Our Programs
Historical Sketch – Bigger and Better Business
Bigger and Better Business became the first National Program of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. It was first introduced to the Fraternity at the Tenth Anniversary Conclave held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in December 1924. At this conclave exhibits from twenty-five Negro businesses were displayed and forums were held to acquaint the Brothers with the problems encountered by Negroes and their advancement in business.
The Eleventh Anniversary Conclave, held in Richmond, Virginia in December, 1925, voted to make Bigger and Better Business the National Public Program of the Fraternity. In April, 1926 business programs were sponsored by chapters throughout the nation. Since 1926, the Bigger and Better Business Program has been sponsored on a national scale by Phi Beta Sigma. The Program is carried on throughout the year; however, special observances are held during the month of April.
Purpose
When Bigger and Better Business was adopted as a National Program, emphasis was placed on Negro business. The main purpose at the time was to encourage Negro businessmen to improve their business acumen, efficiency and service to the public in order to favorably compete with other businesses. Furthermore, during the early years of the Bigger and Better Business Program, Negro buyers were experiencing discrimination and segregation by many of the better and more desirable places of business.
The present day purpose of the program has changed very little. With many improvements in race relations, the program is now geared to both minority and small businesses. It is our desire that the minority buyer patronize minority business not only because of who they are, but also because minority businesses offer the efficiency and service that would be found in any other business.
A meaningful minority business program must begin with individual men in the communities in which they live so that minorities can achieve basic and urgently needed changes in our American business structures. We must vigorously move into greater leadership positions through the development of “Bigger and Better Business” for the improvement of our society.
Historical Sketch – Social Action
Phi Beta Sigma has from its very beginning concerned itself with improving the general well-being of minority groups. In 1934, a well-defined program of Social Action was formulated and put into action. The Social Action project was conceived in the mind of Brother Elmo M. Anderson, prominent Catholic lay leader and President of Epsilon Sigma Chapter (New York, 1934). Brother Anderson formulated this program using material out of the Manual for Catholic Action by the Encyclical of Pope Pius XI calling for the reconstruction of the social order. rrhjs program was abandoned in 1938. It was reactivated in 1945.
Purpose
Social Action is one of the three major programs of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and as such must be projected on the regional level and on the chapter level by every graduate and undergraduate chapter.
Social Action means group activity, so that the Social Action Program of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. cannot be a “concept on paper.” Social Action means doing something for the betterment or improvement of a particular group and our local and national communities.
The National Constitution sets forth that the social action program shall consist of a direct action program and a program of cooperation with such other social action organizations as the Conclave shall from time to time determine by resolution. Each region and chapter may cooperate with such local organizations as approved by resolution, always keeping in mind the compatibility of such organizations with the basic philosophy of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
The overall objective of the Social Action Program is the elimination of every form or badge of second class citizenship in America in every area of living.
Historical Sketch – Education
The founder’s of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., were all educators in their own right. The genesis of the Education Program lies in the traditional emphasis that the Fraternity places on Education. During the 1945 Conclave in St. Louis, Missouri, the fraternity underwent a constitution restructuring after World War II, and this lead to the birth of the Education as a National Program.
Purpose
The Education Program of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. borders on the many facets of education as they affect both the undergraduate and graduate member. Some of these are as follows:
- To encourage and assist undergraduate chapters in the highest possible scholastic achievement.
- To promote or sponsor local chapter activities and observances with emphasis on awarding scholarships and educational achievement awards.
- To establish a chain of communications for reporting the activities of the local chapters through all available publicity media