Sigma Pi Phi

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'Sigma Pi Phi' is the the oldest surviving black fraternity in the United States [1], founded in May 15, 1904. It's founders included two doctors, a dentist and a physician [2] . They were Henry McKee Minton, Dr. Algernon B. Jackson, Dr. Edwin C. Howard and Dr. Richard J. Warrick. It's members include WEB Dubois, Martin Luther King, Bobby Scott, Ken Blackwell, Ron Brown, Arthur Ashe and more [3]. Sigma Pi Phi has over 5,000 members and 112 chapters. [4] .

Membership

Membership to Sigma Pi Phi is exclusive [5]. It is often called "the boule," which means "a council of noblemen." [6] Sigma Pi Phi eliminated undergraduate chapters of it's fraternity during it's infant stages. [7]. The first black fraternity title lay with Alpha kappa nu [8] born in 1903, thus giving Sigma Pi Phi the designation of oldest surviving black fraternity.

Athletic Stars

File:ArthurAshe.jpeg

Arguably the most recognized sports Sigma Pi Phi member, Arthur Ashe. delivered victory after victory in his "tennis" days.

Sigma Pi Phi hasn't limited membership to professionals, but to all those who are accomplished no matter what field. Arther Ashe a famed african american tennis star is amongst it's members.

Civil Rights Movement

Members of Sigma Pi Phi (including Dr. Martin Luther King took on key roles during the later stages of the civil rights movement [9][10] [11] . In Montgomery, Dr. King led the people in the Montgomery Bus Boycott as a minister, and later as head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

Controversy

Alpha Phi Alpha has many times thought to be the first black fraternity [12], even where it was founded [13], but this is factually false. Sigma Pi Phi is the oldest surviving black fraternity. Alpha Kappa Nu is the first black fraternity as well as the first black inter-collegiate fraternity.