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”.

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The Nu Upsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was chartered on March 24, 1981 at The University of Southern California. Among its members includes the first Black mayor of the city of Signal Hill, CA, a Teach For America Alum, and several entrepreneurs and education professionals both locally and internationally. The Nu Upsilon Chapter also boasts two members of the Distinguished Service Chapter--the fraternity's highest honor.  

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In 2017, we will be looking for Men of Troy to become Sigma Men-- reactivating a legacy of Blue & White that #FightOn.