PBS Celebrates 95TH Conclave in the Crescent City

The mighty men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. gathered from all parts of the country and abroad to the Crescent City of New Orleans, Louisiana and proclaimed “Celebrating the Dream”, the 95th Anniversary Conclave, July 6 – 12, 2009. You can view photos here.

The Honorable Paul L. Griffin, Jr., 32nd International President, upon the dawn of his exit as leader, welcomed conference attendees, guests, corporate partners, corporate sponsors and vendors to his hometown in New Orleans style. Bro. Thomas E. Edwards, Gulf Coast Regional Director, Bro. Theo Woodard, Chairman, Conclave Planning Team, Brothers Jerry W. Green and Lynard Carter, Conclave Co-Chairmen, and Bro. Will Harris, President, Theta Beta Sigma Chapter welcomed everyone to their exciting city.

The seven-day conference was filled with exciting special events, business sessions, and workshops. Along with the conference, members of the fraternity’s Sigma Beta Club from across the country participated in their five-day session as well. The Sigma International Leadership Academy (SILA) sponsored its first Community Conference registering participants from not only the ranks of Phi Beta Sigma, but business and academic professionals as well.

This year’s corporate sponsors included State Farm Insurance’s 50 Million Pound Challenge, Liberty Bank & Trust of New Orleans, Industrial Bank & Trust of Washington, DC, and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company.

Over 1,000 registered guests experienced a series of highlights from the jammed-packed schedule. President Griffin opened the week-long conference with an appearance on the local news program.

Sigma men put a smile on the faces of The Jones family of New Orleans. Through the fraternity’s contribution of $10,000 to Habitat for Humanity, and the helpful hands of Theta Beta Sigma and participating members, a new home was built.

“An Evening of Jazz” was by far one of the best moments of the conference. Brother Everett Harp, Jazz Saxophonist, accompanied by R&B Songstress Chante Moore, presented a wonderful evening of smooth sounds.

Several notable Sigma Men were honored during the Opening Ceremony, the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Brother Alden McDonald, President, Liberty Bank in  Bigger & Better Business; Brother Robert Bobb, Emergency Financial Manager, Detroit City Public School District in Social Action, Brother Warren Ballentine, ESQ. in Education and Brother Preston Edwards, Publisher, Black Collegian Magazine received the Presidential Power of One Award.

Ms Elizabeth Gardner, a junior Communication/English major at Prairie View A&M University, representing the Gulf Coast Region was crowned Miss International Phi Beta Sigma.

Brother Warren Ballentine hosted the coveted African American Image Awards with a rousing performance by Brother Louis Price, formerly of The Temptations. The honorees were Brother Dwayne Ashley, President, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Clayola Brown, President, A. Phillip Randolph Institute, Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre, National President, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Dr. Norman Francis, President, Xavier University, Reverend Al Sharpton, President, National Action Network and Brother Warren Riley, Superintendent, New Orleans Police Department.

Chapter awards were overflowing during the Founders Awards Breakfast. Gamma Eta Sigma Chapter of Tampa, Florida was named Model Alumni Chapter and Delta Nu Chapter at the University of Memphis was named Model Collegiate Chapter. The major highlight of the morning was a video tape from President Bill Clinton, accepting honorary member invitation to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

As the week-long celebration came to a close and the rings of Sigma Men circled the ballroom during the Sigma March at Grand Orchid Ball, new leadership took the helm. Brother Jimmy Hammock of Morristown, Tennessee was elected 33rd International President, Brother Jonathan Mason, First Vice President, Brother Lonnie Walls, Second Vice President, Brother Larry Mungin, Treasurer, Brother John Turner, ESQ., Legal Counsel, Brother Winston O’Neal, Director of Bigger & Better Business, Brother William Powell, Director of Education, and Brother Dr. Joseph West, Director of Social Action.

Phi Beta Sigma Men look ahead to 2011 for the 97th Conclave in Atlanta, Georgia.


 
 

Sigma News