Tuesday’s incredible post that one of the Fraternity’s authorities on history, Bro. Kevin Christian, inspired me to dig in the archives. He has this research stuff down to a refined science! It almost goes without saying, but if there is ever an updated “Who’s Who in Sigma” that brother deserves an entire page for the work he’s done in documenting and preserving our rich legacy.
Here’s the only non-fraternal documentation (courtesy of the largest Black-owned newspaper at the time, published 1/22/1922) found (or, more correctly, re-found) so far that details an inter-fraternity meeting at the 1921 Conclave.
Apologies for the condition. It’s a very rough scan from microfilm. If anyone can track down the Atlanta Independent Newspaper from this era (from a quick search, it appears to have shut down in the 30’s), there’s most likely an article on the 1921 Conclave in there too. Here’s my best bet on what this article reads if you squint just right…please add a comment if you see something different:
PHI BETA SIGMA CHAPTERS GUESTS OF MORRIS BROWN
Atlanta, Ga., Jan 20 — Representatives of sixteen chapters of Phi Beta Sigma were the guests of the Zeta chapter of the fraternity here for one week. Morris Brown University received the honor of being the scene of the opening session. After the invocation by Dean _____ and vocal selections by members of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Quartet, addresses were made by Wayman J. Roberson (?), president of the Zeta chapter; Editor J. W. Davidson of the Atlanta Independent, and Dr. John H. Lewis, president of Morris Brown University. W. Glendaugh Weathers made the response addresses (?). Clarence Washington rendered a vocal solo and Dr. George W. Carver delivered the annual address.
The business sessions, held at the Stadium Club (?), were presided over the by the general (?) president, W. Maceo Clark. An interfraternity conference was held at the Y.M.C.A. with Grand Basileus Harold Thomas presiding. Organization of an inter-fraternal conference was discussed and broad (?) support pledged to the originators (?) of the movement. A joint _____ as appointed which drafted resolutions to be forwarded to Representative Dyer concerning his bill, at present the source of a ____ deal of congressional contention. The annual formal ball of the fraternity was held in the ballroom of the Stadium Club and was indeed (?) the leading function of the season.
More information on “Representative Dyer’s bill”
According to wikipedia, Harold K. Thomas was Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. from 1920-1921.