The Best in the World!
Local Sigmas win International Chapter of the Year award
Members of local Phi Beta Sigma chapters, including members of the youth Sigma Beta Club, attended the fraternity’s recent International Conclave Convention in Philadelphia.
The theme of the gathering was “Power Up.” The fraternity will mark its centennial in Washington, D.C. next year.
The Delta Sigma (the alumni chapter) and Delta Alpha (the collegiate chapter) were both competing for International Chapter of the Year in their respective categories. The Delta Sigma Chapter brought home the International Alumni Chapter of the Year.
“Though confident in the chapter’s ability to compete, it was a new and exciting experience because I did not know what to expect on an international stage,” Chapter President Reginald D. McCaskill said.
In awarding the honor to Delta Sigma, The Fraternity National Awards and Standard Committee pointed to a number of the chapter’s programs, including its partnerships with nonprofits like the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Its many local initiatives, including the chapter’s Back to School Cookout and School Supplies Giveaway, annual Heritage Awards Gala and the reestablishment of its Sigma Beta Club, were also cited by the committee.
Also at the Conclave, Brother Nicholas Gilchrist, a recent Winston-Salem State University graduate, won the international oratorical contest. The topic was “How Phi Beta Sigma Could Assist in Pushing President Obama’s Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans.”
This year’s Conclave also marked the first time local Sigma Beta members Nasir Moore and Tyrek Thompson attended a national convention. They participated in workshops on childhood obesity, professionalism and college prep.
The Conclave body selected new leadership for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Brother Jonathan A. Mason Sr. was elected the 34th International President. He succeeds Brother Jimmy Hammock.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 1914 by three young African-American male students, A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse and Charles I. Brown. They wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of brotherhood, scholarship and service.
The Delta Sigma Chapter was chartered in Winston-Salem on Dec. 10, 1923. This year marks the chapter’s 90th anniversary.
