Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. has announced that Memphis will serve as the host city for its 2029 conclave, an international gathering expected to draw thousands of members.
City leaders and community partners met with fraternity leaders Tuesday at the Renasant Convention Center to deliver the news.
“We are very excited,” said Chris Rey, international president of Phi Beta Sigma. “We’re excited because Memphis is the city where the concept of Phi Beta Sigma was conceived. We have three principal founders, and the principal founder, A. Langston Taylor, was a Memphis resident. It was here that he thought about and conceived this brotherhood that has expanded across the globe for over 111 years.”
Founded in 1914 at Howard University in Washington, DC, Phi Beta Sigma has grown into a global organization committed to brotherhood, scholarship and service. The 2029 conclave will commemorate its 115th anniversary.
Mayor Paul Young was on hand to welcome the organization, emphasizing the cultural and civic importance of the event.
“I think it’s important that a city like Memphis, that has such cultural distinction (of being) the largest majority-black city in the nation, has a strong presence of the Divine Nine,” Young said, referring to the nine historically Black Greek-letter fraternities and sororities.
“It’s going to be great to see the city all decked out in blue and white and all the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma in Memphis enjoying their conclave. They’ll also be doing community service and showing their success to our young people.”
Malvin Gipson, executive vice president of Memphis Tourism, highlighted the tangible benefits the city stands to gain: “It’s a big event because we’re looking to have thousands of people come to Memphis, which means millions of dollars in economic impact. Events like this are why we built a convention center and did the expansion, so we can accommodate the thousands of people coming in.”
Local fraternity members who worked to help secure the bid were equally energized. “I’m personally very excited to have the conclave come to Memphis in 2029,” said Calvin Anderson, a Phi Beta Sigma member and president of The Tri-State Defender. “It took a lot of work to win the endorsement of the fraternity to bring the convention to Memphis. We can’t wait to shine a positive national spotlight on our people and our culture.”
The event also received support from local members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Phi Beta Sigma’s sister organization, who were present to celebrate the announcement.
