Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. founded the Sigma Beta Club in the early 1950s, under the visionary leadership of Dr. Parlett L. Moore, National Director of Education. He recognized the evolving needs of our communities and understood the critical role Sigma men could play in shaping and guiding the lives of young men. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was the first Greek-letter organization to establish a youth auxiliary.
Accordingly, the Iota Sigma Chapter founded the Greater Richmond Area Sigma Beta Club in 1996 under the leadership of Brother James M. Quash, Sr., who served as its first director.
Today, the National Sigma Beta Club focuses on five core programmatic areas designed to promote leadership, scholarship, and service among young men:
- Academic Enrichment & Mentoring
Sigma Beta Club members receive academic support and leadership development at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Tutoring, mentoring, and educational workshops are provided through one-on-one and group sessions led by collegiate and alumni members across various academic and professional disciplines.
- Sigma Against Teenage Pregnancy Plus (SATAPP)
The SATAPP Program equips Sigma Beta Club members with the knowledge and tools to make responsible choices that promote healthy lifestyles and prepare them for responsible fatherhood in the future.
- Job Training, Savings, and Investment
Members are introduced to the fundamentals of business ownership, financial literacy, and the importance of saving and investing early. Through internships, job shadowing, and site visits, members gain valuable exposure to a range of professions and career paths.
- Childhood Obesity Initiative
The Sigma Beta Club Foundation’s Childhood Obesity Initiative promotes the holistic well-being of youth—mind, body, and spirit. The program encourages healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and overall wellness to combat childhood obesity and foster lifelong health.
- Community Service & Enrichment Programs
Service is central to the Sigma Beta Club experience. Members participate in diverse community service projects, such as assisting the elderly, volunteering with organizations like the March of Dimes and Sickle Cell Centers, visiting hospitalized children, supporting libraries, and helping clean up their neighborhoods.
In addition to national initiatives, local clubs engage in enrichment activities that promote cultural (art shows, plays, concerts, museum visits), social (cookouts, movie nights), and athletic (football, baseball, golf, basketball, bowling) development, helping members become well-rounded individuals and community leaders.
