Formed in 1934, the Social Action program was conceived by Bro. Elmo M. Anderson to focus on improving the general wellbeing of disenfranchised people. The mission of the International Social Action Program is to encourage social, political, and philanthropic leadership which strengthens our respective communities and our membership by:
Phi Beta Sigma has from its very beginning concerned itself with improving the general well-being of minority groups. In 1934, a well-defined program of Social Action was formulated and put into action. Elmo M. Anderson, then president of Epsilon Sigma Chapter (New York) formulated this program calling for the reconstruction of social order. It was a tremendous success. It fits in with the social thinking of the American public in those New Deal years.
In the winter of 1934, Sigma brothers Elmo Anderson, James W. Johnson, Emmett May, and Bob Jiggets presented the Social Action proposition to the Conclave in Washington, D.C. The idea was adopted as a national program at the same conclave. Anderson is credited as “The Father of Social Action”
The fraternity’s five main social action programs are Project Vote, Sigma Wellness, Sigma Presence on Capitol Hill, and projects S.W.W.A.C. & S.A.T.A.P.P.
Project S.W.W.A.C. (Sigmas Waging War Against Cancer) is a concentrated and coordinated effort to reduce the incidence of cancer in the African American community. Through a partnership with the American Cancer Society, the goal of Project S.W.W.A.C. is to increase awareness, with a strong emphasis on early detection and prevention of prostate and colorectal cancer. Project S.A.T.A.P.P. is a collaborative venture with the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation to address the alarming rise in teenage pregnancy. The Sigma Wellness Project is focused on living healthier lifestyles through education. The goal of Project Vote is to register and educate citizens and encourage members of the community to participate in the democratic process. The Sigma Presence on Capitol Hill Program is focused on presenting Sigma members the opportunity to discuss many of the critical issues facing our communities with members of the U.S. Congress
The fraternity’s newest national partnership is with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. Through this partnership, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity goal is to raise awareness and to raise money to support research and education of the negative impact of SCD on the health, economic, social, and educational well-being of the individual.
Sigma Wellness is our men’s health initiative designed to educate and inform our membership and the community about key health issues facing men of color. Engaging our communities through dialogue about overall quality of health and solutions to improve our well-being as men by addressing:
Sigma Advocacy is an initiative designed to focus on building our collective voice around legislative policies that impact our communities locally, statewide and nationally. Supporting the publics concern for a particular cause or policy, chapters are encouraged to host or attend local town halls to address any issues impacting the community. Engagement through events like:
Donation
