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THE HISTORY OF PHI BETA SIGMA CHAPTER
FIRST IN THE WESTERN REGION
FIRST IN THE WESTERN REGION

The
establishment of Phi Beta Sigma Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma
Fraternity, Inc, was started February 15, 1937 when Bro. William Perry
directed a letter to Bro, Jessie W. Lewis, Dean of Terrell Law School,
Washington, DC, requesting information for the chartering of a chapter
in Los Angeles, CA. At this time, there were no chapters west of
Texas. The movement gained impetus with the coming to California of
Hugh Fisher Lewis, who was Vice President of the Northern District.
After careful selection, Bro. Lewis, Perry, Johnson, and Hill invited
eleven other men to join as charter members: Fred Baker, George Beavers,
Edgar Brown, Cecil Davis, Aaron Douglass, Dee Hodge, William Nickerson,
Jr., Granville Norman, E. M. Porter, Clarence Smith, and Oscar Stokes.
The officers elected to serve the new
chapter were: Bro. William Perry, President; Bro. Clarence Smith,
Vice-President; Bro. Dee Hodge. Secretary; Bro. Everette M. Porter,
Treasurer. Brother James Weldon Johnson, celebrated poet, author, and
professor of creative literature, was the National President at the time
of the chartering of the chapter. He wrote a letter to Bro. Perry
congratulating him for his efforts in chartering a Sigma Chapter west of
Texas.
Since
it’s inception, Phi Beta Sigma Chapter has been a pillar of strength in
the Western Region. The Chapter has overseen the development of the
Region, by chartering numerous chapters as well as providing leadership
for the region. From the inception of the Western Region in 1942, 14
members of Phi Beta Sigma Chapter has served as Regional Directors,
including the first Western Regional Director, Bro. Clarence Muse, the
renowned actor. Phi Beta Sigma Chapter has also seen 14 of its members
be inducted into the National Distinguished Service Chapter (DSC), the
most prestigious Chapter within the Fraternity. The Chapter has had
more members inducted into the DSC than any other Chapter in Phi Beta
Sigma Fraternity, Inc. . Phi Beta Sigma Chapter spearheaded the effort
to bring the National Conclave to Los Angeles in 1948 and again in
1966.
In
2001, Phi Beta Sigma Chapter hosted one of the most successful Regional
Conferences in the history of the Western Region at the Sheraton Hotel
in Universal City, CA. In 2005, Phi Beta Sigma Chapter served as the
host Chapter for the Conclave, the National Convention for the Phi Beta
Sigma Fraternity, Inc. It is the first Conclave in Los Angeles since
1966 and one of the most successful Conclaves in the history of the
Fraternity.