The Honorable Arthur Thomas with Cleveland Sigma Beta Club members, Kevin Williams (left) and Mykol Gardiner (right).

Beachwood, Ohio Saturday, January 15, 2005 marked a momentous occasion for the Gamma Alpha Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The group celebrated its Annual Founders Day marking 91 years of the Fraternity’s history and 54 years for the chapter here in Cleveland, Ohio. The formal reception was held at the Embassy Suites in Beachwood, Ohio.

The theme for the program was “Celebrating Our Past…Embracing Our Future.” As a part of the program, the men of Phi Beta Sigma paid special recognition to the young men of the Sigma Beta Club, which is an auxiliary group to the Fraternity. The young men recognized are students at Benedictine High School and are mentored in the areas of Education, Social Action and Bigger & Better Business. The young men each year work to earn scholarships that will follow them upon graduation from high school to whatever college or university they choose to attend. This year the men of Phi Beta Sigma awarded over $2000 in scholarships not only to the young men of the Sigma Beta Club, but also to it’s Regional Scholarship Fund. The keynote speaker for the event was Bro. Arthur Thomas, Esq. International President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

His powerful message on “Rebuilding Bridges to Bridge the Gap of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service” was a welcomed message centered on helping our young African American men become productive members of society.

The program also had a brief step show performed by the members of the Elite Epsilon Phi Chapter (Bowling Green State University) of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The evening ended with dancing and fellowship. Bro. Ed Long, President of Gamma Alpha Sigma saw the occasion as “a positive step to bringing recognition to the hard working young men of the Sigma Beta Club.” The event was supported by various organizations including Key Foundation, and Charter One Bank.