Phi Beta Sigma is an international historically African American collegiate fraternity. The conclave is the legislative power of Phi Beta Sigma. During a conclave year, delegates representing all of the active chapters from within the seven regions of the fraternity meet in the chosen city. The conclave or fraternity convention is currently held biannually and is usually hosted by graduate chapters of the chosen city. The host city is chosen through a selection process in which each of the eligible regions nominates a city and a formal bid is submitted. As of 2009, Phi Beta Sigma has held over 95 conventions in various cities throughout the United States The fraternity held its first conclave in Washington, D.C. in 1916.
Conclave
The conclave is the legislative power of Phi Beta Sigma. During a conclave year, delegates representing all of the active chapters from within the seven regions of the fraternity meet in the chosen city. The conclave or fraternity convention is currently held biannually and is usually hosted by the graduate chapters of the chosen city. The host city is chosen through a selection process in which each eligible region nominates a city and a formal bid is submitted. The region in which the current conclave is being held is ineligible for submitting a bid for the succeeding conclave.During the convention, members of the General Board – the administrative body of the fraternity-are elected and appointed. The general board may act in the interest of the fraternity when the conclave is not in session. In addition, seminars, social events, concerts, an international Miss Phi Beta Sigma Pageant, Stepshow, and oratorical contests are also held during the week-long conference. Throughout the years, notable individuals such as George Washington Carver and Carter G. Woodson were speakers at conclaves.
Phi Beta Sigma's first conclave was held on December 28 and 29, 1916 in Washington, D.C. It was attended by 200 members from three collegiate chapters: Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. However, no conclaves were held in 1917 and 1918 because of World War I.
The following list of conclaves includes actual, proposed, and forthcoming international conventions of Phi Beta Sigma.
List of conclaves
Number Dates Location Host Referencesst – Phi Beta Sigma House1907 Third Street NWWashington, D.C.The Philosophy of Phi Beta Sigma, Page 26 of The Sigma Light (1990)Phi Beta Sigma TimelineSavage, William S., Our Cause Speeds On, p. 22.ndWashington, D.C.rd – Washington, D.C.Spring 1949 Crescent Black Greek Letter organizations in the 21st Century, p. 1072nd Annual Conventionth – Atlanta, GeorgiathBaltimore, MarylandthNashville, Tennesseeth – YMCA BuildingPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaEpsilon 1924 Conclave Programth – Richmond, VirginiaLambda 1925 Conclave Program Announced thGreensboro, North CarolinathSt. Louis, MissouriKappa Sigma1927 Crescents - Iota, Tau, Sigma, and Kappa Sigma ChaptersthLouisville, KentuckythNew York City, New YorkEpsilon Sigma and Kappa Beta Sigma15th Conclave, Dec 1929thTuskegee, AlabamaNashville, Tennesseeth – Chicago, IllinoisSpring/Summer 2007 Crescent Magazine p. 43 December 1933 Crescentth – Washington, D.C.Mitchell to Resign 1934 th – Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta to be host to SigmasAn Article from the Pastth – New York City, New YorkZeta & Sigma Joint Boule/Conclave NY 1936thDetroit, Michigan1937 Conclaveth – Winston-Salem, North CarolinaThe Afro American - Dec 17, 1938Fall 1938 Crescentth – Howard UniversityWashington, D.C.Marking the 25th AnniversarystTuskegee, AlabamandAcademy of MusicPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania1941 ConclaveRichmond, VirginiaThe Afro American - Oct 10, 1942rdChicago, Illinoisth – St. Louis, MissouriKBS event historythNew Orleans, Louisianath – Atlanta, GeorgiaThe Afro American - Dec 27, 1947th – Los Angeles, Californiath – Washington, D.C.Alpha Sigma35th Anniversary Conclave JournalPhilosophy Of Alain Locke By Alain LeRoy Locke, Leonard Harris p.229thNew York City, New YorkthBirmingham, Alabamast – Slaughter's Hotel and George Carver ElementaryRichmond, VirginiaLambda and Iota Sigma1952 ConclaveMore on the 1952 Conclave 38th Annual Conclave JournalOur Cause Vol 1, Issue 1ndDetroit, Michiganrd – Norfolk, VirginiaBeta SigmaConclave 1954 Norfolk th – Louisville, KentuckyTwo lives in uncertain times by Wilma Iggers p. 75thMiami, Floridath – Dallas, TexasBaltimore Afro-American - Dec 10, 1957th – Chicago, IllinoisThe Afro American - Apr 5, 1958 th – Washington, D.C.Alpha, Alpha Sigma, and Gamma LambdaConclave 1959 - Dec. 27-30 - 45th Anniversary - Washington, DC45th Annual Conclave Coverth – Hotel Park SheratonNew York City, New YorkEpsilon Sigma 1960 ConclaveBaltimore Afro-American - Dec 6, 1960thPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniastPick Carter HotelCleveland, OhioSt. Petersburg Times - Jan 8, 1963ndNashville, Tennesseerd – Washington, D.C.Alpha, Alpha Sigma, and Gamma LambdaBaltimore Afro-American October 20, 1964Baltimore Afro-American - Nov 24, 196450th Anniversary Conclave CoverthLos Angeles, CaliforniathRichmond, Virginiath – Sheraton-Belvedere HotelBaltimore, MarylandZeta SigmaBaltimore Afro-American - August 5, 1969thWinston-Salem, North Carolinath – Fontainebleau Miami BeachMiami Beach, FloridaJet Sep 7, 1972 p. 11thHouston, Texasth – Hilton HeritageDetroit, MichiganDelta Rho, Gamma Iota, and Iota Beta SigmaBaltimore Afro-American - May 24, 1975The Tuskegee News - Jul 31, 1975stMemphis, TennesseeCrescent Winter 2005, p 14 ndSan Francisco, Californiard – December 30, 1979 Hyatt Regency on Capitol HillWashington, D.C.Jet Feb 7, 1980 p. 44Bro. Renaldo “Skeets” Nehemiah65th Annual Conclave Coverth – Charleston, South Carolinath – Atlanta, GeorgiaCrescent Spring 1982thNew Orleans, LouisianathLouisville, KentuckyLexington Herald Leader, December 29th, 1985thKansas City, MissouriSigma History is Everywhereth – Washington, D.C.Conclave JournalsthLas Vegas, Nevadast – Raleigh, North CarolinaCrescent Winter 1992nd – Washington, D.C.rd – Orlando, FloridaWinston-Salem State Newspaper 1995-1997 General Board th – Fairmont HotelDallas, TexasPHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY TO HOST NATIONAL MEETING th – Detroit, MichiganJames Floyd Hall of Fameth – Memphis Marriott HotelMemphis, TennesseeCrescent Summer/Fall 2002, p 3 Ye Old Sigma Times, NY Edition March/June 2003Ebony Jul 2003Epsilon Epsilon Sigma th – Sheraton Universal HotelUniversal City, California2005 Regional Conference Minutes th – Westin HotelCharlotte, North CarolinaBeta Rho SigmaDPS-KA conclaveEbony Jul 2007 p. 49th – New Orleans, LouisianaPhi Beta Sigma Natl' WebsiteGulf Coast Sigma Registration FormAnniversary Conclave 2009 th – Sheraton HotelAtlanta, GeorgiaThank You For Coming To The Conclavest – Philadelphia Marriott DowntownPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaCentennial Celebration – Marriott Wardman ParkWashington, D.C.72nd – Little Rock MarriottLittle Rock, Arkansas73rd – Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance CenterDetroit, Michigan74th – Westgate Las Vegas Resort & CasinoLas Vegas, Nevada75th – Myrtle Beach Convention CenterMyrtle Beach, South Carolina76th – George R. Brown Convention CenterHouston, Texas77thJuly 14, 2025 – July 20, 2025Tampa Convention Center Tampa, FloridaGamma Eta Sigma78thJuly 26, 2027 – August 1, 2027Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center National Harbor, Maryland
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