Archive for August, 2007

Marking the 25th Anniversary

First, to all have a good LABOR DAY HOLIDAY. Today in Sigma History will resume on September 5, 2007.

I actually have an copy of this picture taken from the January 1940 Edition of the Washington Afro-American Newspaper. It’s in bad shape and about to crumble apart, but I managed to frame it, not sure if I can get a newspaper picture restored.

There are a number of unique facts about this picture that have been passed down. At Founder Taylor’s feet are two Sterling Silver Candle Holders that were given to him by the Fraternity marking the 25th Anniversary (Silver Anniversary). The candle holders were engraved “To Founder A. Langston Taylor marking the Silver Anniversary of Phi Beta Sigma”. This was told to me by Bro. Francis L. Hall. Brother Hall also believed that these two candle holders are still in the Washington, DC area somewhere??? Man, if we can find those!

The Alpha Chapter Sigma Banner in the picture was found in 2004. The banner came from the collection/estate of Bro. Col. Robert L. Pollard (Alpha Chapter 1919). I often wonder if any of the brothers in this picture are still living?

The Photographer of this picture, Addison Scurlock, was one of the most noted Black Photographers in the Washington, DC Area. His pictures captured notable black history events from the early 1900’s until his death in 1964. He is noted for many of the early fraternity/sorority pictures that came out of Howard University.

UnKNOWn Stepteam

came across my inbox today…

We, the UnKNOWn Stepteam, are asking for your support as we step in our last competition!! The Show is in the Liacora Center in Philadelphia on Sept. 15th and will air on ESPN in November. This is going to be our best show ever and will be talked about for a long time to come! We would love for the house to be filled with blue and white to help us take it to that next level! There will be a huge blue and white section reserved and we would love for it to be filled. Tickets are only $10 ($8 each when purchasing 5). We hope to see and hear you all there!!

Eric “Soulman” Jaffe
KE Chapter
Spr. 88

Alpha Nu Sigma Chapter – Northern California – 1958

This is a shout out to Bro. Chris Rice and all of the other Brothers of the Western Region.

This booklet was secured for me by Bro. Linden Houston in 2003, he got it from a 2nd Handbook Store (SIGMA HISTORY IS EVERYWHERE). Remember this Bro. Houston?

I have found that one way to connect to long lost older brothers is that when you show pictures, a lot of times folks will recognize someone and say, that is Brother _________ and he is still living, etc. etc.

This is from the Alpha Nu Sigma Chapter in Northern California their 7th Annual Sweetheart Ball held in San Rafael, California (San Franciso Bay Area), November 26, 1958.

Inside the book is a message from the chapter president, a chapter picture (attached), pictures of the Sigma Sweethearts, and numerous advertisements from businesses in that area.

Brothers, do you recognize anyone in the Chapter Picture?

Bro. Eugene Edgerson

Back in 2005, I had the distinct opportunity to interview Bro. Eugene Edgerson of the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters. The story appeared in the Fall 2005 Edition of the Crescent Magazine. Bro. Edgerson is from New Orleans, Louisiana (9th Ward). He is a graduate of the University of Arizona where he was an outstanding student athlete. He played on a few of those NCAA Championship Teams that the Wildcats produced from 1996-2001. (Phil: 1997 Champs)
If the Harlem Globetrotters come to you area anytime soon, go and support Bro. Edgerson.

Bro. Eugene Edgerson (Alpha Alpha Epsilon Chapter, Spr. 98).

Bro. Edgerson taught 1st grade while a graduate student at U. Arizona and says that educating young children is something very important to him. He is a life member of the fraternity as well.

playing catch up

sorry folks. work’s been keeping me busy and a trip to vegas last weekend has got me behind. i’m only about 3 days behind in posting kevin’s today in sigma history emails so hopefully i can catch up in the next day or two.