Rho Sigma History

The Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated was organized in the early 1920's with approximately eight members. The founders of the chapter were Brother's Clarence Roberts and an unnamed railroad employee. The other members were Brothers Kelsey Pharr, J.R. Scott, W.A. Chapman, Henry H. Green, H.E.S. Reeves, J.R. Taylor, S.P. Gansby, and Anthony Twine.

Henry H. Green was a doctor from Jacksonville, Florida. Kelsey L. Pharr was a mortician and concerned with the civic welfare of the community. A native of North Carolina with his office located in what is known as "Overtown". He was also the founder of the Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery.

H.E.S. Reeves migrated from Nassau, Bahamas and was the editor of the Miami Times Weekly Newspaper for the black community.

Clarence Roberts was a pharmacist who was married to the niece of Mary McLeod Bethune. He was the youngest member.

J.R. Scott, was s dentist and the Exalted Ruler of the Elk I.B.P.O.E. He was from Jacksonville, Florida, working for the State Customs and one of the leading politicians in the United States.

J.R. Taylor was a merchant and was into many things. He owned two stores, one located in Semineola and on 14th Street and Third Avenue. He attended school at Pain College and Columbia University. Brother Taylor taught tailoring at Booker T. Washington Senior High School for four years.

The National Office didn’t have a representative from Miami to perform the initiation ceremony and as a result, Brother Clarence Roberts was deputized to perform the ceremony. Brother Kelsey L. Pharr was the president and Brother J.R. Taylor was the secretary. These were the only known officers.

As Sigma Men, we are focused on developing strong, business-minded individuals and building a cohesive bond with our community. With our network of distinguished alumni, vast academic resources, and strong mentorship, we aim to empower our community through the principles of “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity”.

Since 1927, the Rho Sigma Chapter has been the cornerstone of Social Action which focuses on feeding the Homeless at The Camillus House Homeless Shelter, March for Babies, Relay for Life and promoting health awareness in an effort to prevent health challenges amongst our membership. Our Bigger and Better Business component focuses on promoting and spotlighting Black/Minority owned businesses, promoting tax understanding and awareness as well as preparing tax returns for free for low-to-moderate income people through our Project VITA Program, another aspect of our BBB program focuses on our Project S.E.E.D Initiative (Sigmas Empowering Economic Development) which deals with Financial Management and Home Ownership. This focus provides useful information in both areas and benefits Phi Beta Sigma members, families, and communities. Project SEED is designed to be implemented at all organizational levels, by alumni and collegiate chapters. Each of the program’s components are economically viable and relevant, current concerns of our membership. Our Education component focuses on our Adopt –A-School initiative, which is designed to get Sigma men into schools within our community. Our effort is to brand this component of Sigma’s program to facilitate a learning environment that will assist students’ afterschool who may need additional assistance in their core academic areas as well as providing mentorship and scholarships to the students in which we are providing services to.

You will find that the Men of The Rho Sigma Chapter are an incredibly diverse group of gentlemen pursuing a single goal. What truly brings us together as a brotherhood is our lasting desire to make this fraternity and community better so that future generations will benefit from our efforts.

This is the history of the Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc