Sigma Pi Phi (ΣΠΦ), also known as The Boulé, is an African American professional fraternity. Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1904, it is arguably the oldest fraternity for African Americans, between it and Alpha Phi Alpha founded at Cornell University. The fraternity does not have collegiate chapters and is designed for professionals in mid-career or older. Sigma Pi Phi has over 5,000 members and 139 chapters throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, The Bahamas, Colombia and Brazil.

History

Sigma Pi Phi was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1904. The fraternity does not have collegiate chapters and is designed to be a professional fraternity for African American men at mid-career or older. When Sigma Pi Phi was founded, black professionals were not offered participation in the professional and cultural associations organized by the white community. Its founders were:. Sigma Pi Phi quickly established chapters (referred to as "member boulés") in Chicago, Illinois and then Baltimore, Maryland. Founded as an organization for professionals, Sigma Pi Phi never established collegiate chapters and eliminated undergraduate membership during its infant stages. However, Sigma Pi Phi has historically had a congenial relationship with intercollegiate Black Greek-letter organizations, as many members of Sigma Pi Phi are members of both. Sigma Pi Phi has over 5,000 members and 139 chapters throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, The Bahamas, Colombia and Brazil.

Symbols and traditions

The organization is known as "the Boulé," which means, in Ancient Greek "the Council".

Membership

Membership in Sigma Pi Phi is highly exclusive. Sigma Pi Phi is open to members of all races.

Notable members

Sigma Pi Phi has around 5,000 members.

In media

Lawrence Otis Graham reports on the organization and his membership in it in the 1999 book Our Kind of People: Inside America's Black Upper Class.