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Posted on Tue, Jun. 29, 2004
I M A G E S
Elwood P. Smith / Daily News
Meeting are Walter Lomax (left) Steven Sanders, Leon W. Tucker and former Mayor Wilson Goode.
Oldest black fraternity celebrates its 100th year
By JENNIFER JENKINS
jenkinj@phillynews.com
The nation's first African-American fraternity has returned to its birthplace to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Founded in Philadelphia in 1904, the Grand Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity will wrap up its weeklong "Centennial Celebration" tomorrow night.
Less than 40 years after the end of the Civil War, the Grand Boule was formed as a fraternity where African- American men could share social and intellectual ideas. Dr. Henry A Minton, a physician and pharmacist, gathered five other Philadelphia-based colleagues to form the fraternity.
The founders chose to model their organization after ancient Greek organizations, naming themselves the "boule" meaning "a council of noblemen." Today, the organization has more than 4000 members across the United States and the Bahamas.
Notable members include the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the late W.E.B. DuBois, the late Carter G. Woodson, the late Raymond Place Alexander and American Express Chairman and CEO Kenneth Chenault.
More than 1,400 members gathered at the Marriott Hotel in Center City Saturday to kick off the event with a private ceremony inducting more than 100 new candidates. Former Mayor W. Wilson Goode, Sr. is a member and said he was very proud of his son, who was inducted at Saturday's ceremony.
While not technically a secret organization, members cannot apply to the fraternity, they must be invited to join. The primary requirement is that the candidate has a graduate degree but many are also leaders in their communities and involved in social issues relating to African-Americans.
Goode, who joined 30 years ago, said being a member has been an invaluable experience.
"It offers me a chance to meet with my peers to share common issues and concerns, and to chart what the future holds for African-Americans in this country," he said. "And these are people whose lives impact millions of people across the country."
Calvin Pressley, national president or "Grand Sire Archon" of the Grand Boule describes the organization as the "quintessential" place for African-American males to connect with their peers.
"With this organization we have a place to blend, to think about the connectivity required on our part to provide leadership," Pressley said.
In 1980, the organization founded the Boule Foundation to provide scholarships for young men and women pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Last night's black-tie gala featuring singer Jeffrey Osbourne was a fund-raising effort for the foundation.
The week's events also included a keynote address by member Vernon Jordan, public policy forums, sports activities and a lecture by Kenneth Chenault.
The celebration will close tomorrow night with a dinner and dance reception.
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