Quick Facts

Full name of the fraternity

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated (ΦΒΣ)

Founding date

January 9, 1914

Founding location

Howard University, Washington, D.C.

Where the permanent organization was formed

Bowen Room of the 12th Street YMCA, Washington, D.C.

When Howard officially recognized Sigma

April 15, 1914, by the Board of Deans

Founders

Honorable Abram Langston Taylor, Honorable Leonard F. Morse, Honorable Charles Ignatius Brown

Motto

Culture For Service and Service For Humanity

Three principles

Brotherhood, Scholarship, Service

Colors

Royal Blue and Pure White

Flower

White Carnation

Symbol

Crescent

Mascot

Dove

Official publication

The Crescent

Original name of The Crescent

The Phi Beta Sigma Journal (first published 1921)

Nickname of members

Sigmas

Sister organization

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

Council

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

Headquarters

145 Kennedy Street NW, Washington, D.C.

Size

225,000+ lifetime members; about 599 active chapters (2025)

Founding philosophy

"A part of" the community, not "apart from" it: The "inclusive we" over the "exclusive we"

Inclusive or exclusive

The "inclusive we" over the "exclusive we"

Badge

Monogram of the Greek letters ΦΒΣ, with the Φ outlined by twelve pearls

Chapter name ending in "Sigma"

Alumni (graduate) chapter

Is there a chapter named Omega

No; deceased brothers have "joined the Omega Chapter"

Membership criteria

Race, religion, and national origin are not criteria

How men join

Through a collegiate chapter while enrolled, or an alumni chapter after earning a degree

Temp Address

1025 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 917, Washington, DC 20036