State of Georgia

History of Phi Beta Sigma in Georgia

During the early years of the fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma established its presence in states south of Virginia and west of the Mississippi River. With the Beta chapter at Wiley College in Texas and the Delta Chapter in Kansas State University, the Zeta Chapter was chartered at Morris Brown College in Atlanta in 1919. Soon after its establishment, fellow Morris Brown brother Walter M. Clarke became the fourth national president of the fraternity. In 1924, the Lambda Sigma Chapter was created in Atlanta as the first alumni chapter in the Georgia. The Chi Chapter and the Psi Chapters were chartered at Morehouse and Clark (now Clark Atlanta) Colleges respectively.

The fraternity began to expand outside of the Atlanta area by establishing alumni chapters in Brunswick, Savannah, Fort Valley, Albany, Columbus and Athens. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) became the site of newly chartered chapters in the 1940's as Fort Valley State, Albany State, and Savannah State Colleges. In 1958, the inauguaral Georgia State Confeference was held in Fort Valley as means to address the needs of the chapters in the state. By the end of the 1960's, every major Georgia city and HBCU had a Sigma Chapter.

With the integration of Predominately White Institutions, there was a huge growth in the fraternity as chapters were created at these colleges and universities. With the establishment of the collegiate chapters, several alumni chapters were chartered as well. In thirty years, the number of chapters in Georgia had doubled.

The 21st century saw more growth in the fraternity. Chapters were being chartered suburban areas of Atlanta and other cities such as Rome and Dublin. Today, there are more than 40 chapters throughout the state.