1922 Morris Brown Yearbook

I hope that this finds you doing well. I recently attended the Eastern Regional Conference in Dover, DE last week.  It is always good to see brothers and to connect with new brothers as well. I have been away for a while, but last weekend got me re-energized to share some of the rare history that I continue to find regarding our beloved fraternity.

In 1921, History tells us that our beloved Fraternity, held a joint Conclave with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in Atlanta, Georgia. I have searched high and low to find documentation to substantiate that claim. To date, I have not had any luck. Our first history book says that the 1922 Brownie, the first yearbook of Morris Brown College held the answers. Therefore, I needed to find me a 1922 Morris Brown Yearbook. I was even told by Morris Brown College a few years ago, that no such yearbook existed, that yearbooks at the college began in 1923. Brother Mallet has a 1923 Morris Brown Yearbook and I have a 1926 Morris Brown Yearbook. I have searched for a 1922 copy for over 10 years now, and no such luck.

Then, Bro. Linden Houston turned me on to McBlain Books in Connecticut. They had a significant collection of early African American History. Lo and behold, they had a 1922 Morris Brown Yearbook and were selling it for $85.00. I was a day late and a dollar short. The yearbook had been sold to the University of Georgia.

However, the owner of McBlain Books put me in contact with the University of Georgia, and this RARE history was sent to me by UGA from the 1922 Yearbook. Please see the note below from the University of Georgia.

Historical references:

Third Annual Convention of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
***Keynote Address given by Bro. Dr. George Washington Carver (The Possibilities of the Sweet Potato)
***Announcement of the 4th Annual Convention to be hosted in Baltimore with Morgan College
***Representatives of one thousand college men for the annual meeting; Howard, Meharry, Wiley, Temple, A&T and Kansas Stat

But my most significant find was the announcement of Bro. Walter Maceo Clark who in 1921-22 was the head of the “National Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity”. He is the only collegiate brother to hold the position of National President.

I wanted to share this rare history today to let you know, that we come from GREATNESS, we really do.

ps. I have no idea why Founder Taylor posed the way that he did. I am off to Seattle, TREASURE THIS ONE.

Dear Mr. Christian,

Phil McBlain of McBlain Books informed me of your research interest in the 1922 Morris Brown yearbook, the Brownie– specifically in whether there were any mention of the Conclave between Phi Beta Sigma & Omega Psi Phi. Regrettably, I’ve paged through the entire yearbook’s 96 pages (plus 13 pages of advertisements) and there is no mention of the Conclave. I’m scanning the three pages within the yearbook that do refer to Phi Beta Sigma’s 1922 activities — a page from the “History of Senior College Class” by Hoyle Rushin, and two pages dedicated to Phi Beta Sigma from the “Organizations” section  — and sending them on to you. I wish I could be of more help. Please contact me if you have additional questions.

Skip Hulett
Hargrett Rare Book & Manuscript Library University of Georgia