VALDOSTA — Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. will be holding its state conference in Valdosta,  March 6-8, with activities scheduled on the campus of Valdosta State University and at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.

Founded on the campus of Howard University by three men on Jan. 9, 1914, the founders wished to create an organization that viewed itself as “a part of” the general community rather than “apart from” the general community.

They reportedly 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. The Founders said they desired for the fraternity to exist as part of an even greater brotherhood which would be devoted to the “inclusive we” rather than the “exclusive we.”

The fraternity colors are royal blue and pure white.

Notable “Sigmas” are NFL Hall of Famer Emmit Smith, Civil Rights Activist Rev. Al Sharpton, Actor Terrence Howard, Scientist Dr. George Washington Carver, Civil Rights Activist/Humanitarian Hosea Williams, Congressman John Lewis, Harlem Renaissance developer and songwriter James Weldon Johnson, labor leader and social activist A. Phillip Randolph, and former U.S. President Bill Clinton to name a few.

On Friday, March 6, at 10 a.m., Phi Beta Sigma will be working with the Second Harvest Food Bank, located at 1411 Harbin Circle Valdosta, where the brothers and the community will be helping out in sorting, inspecting, and packing foods for the hungry and homeless. Later that evening at 6 p.m. on the campus of Valdosta State University in the Student Union Building, there will be an Opening Ceremony, which is free to the general public. Following the opening ceremony will be a beauty pageant and step show.

To learn more about this event contact Trae D. Johnson, Phi Beta Sigma, First Vice State Director, (770) 843-1573  or email at    traejohnson@hotmail.com