Chartered on May 1, 1920, Epsilon Sigma Chapter was officially born to function as a graduate chapter in New York City. The pioneering Sigma brothers who petitioned for the charter were George Archer, Samuel Braithwaite, David Collins, Charles Pinckney and John W. Sampson.
During the 1920’s, many Epsilon Sigma Chapter members were influential leaders in the community. Real estate mogul Bro. A.A. Austin; Bro. Dr. Anderson, DDS; Bro. C.D. King, founding member of Carver Savings Bank; Bro. James “Billboard” Jackson, one of the first Blacks in the Boardroom of the Standard Oil Co.; and Bro. James W. Johnson, Executive Secretary of the NAACP, composer of the Negro National Anthem, Sigma’s 8th National President.
In 1936, the National Conclave was held at New York City’s Harlem Y.M.C.A. At that conference four Epsilon Sigma men were elected to National Office: Bro. James W. Johnson, National President; Bro. C.D. King, National Secretary-Treasurer; Bro. Emmett M. May, Director of Social Action; and Bro. B. Franklin Vaughn, Editor of the Crescent. It is worthy to note that Bro. Johnson became the first Black Chief Deputy Collector of the Internal Revenue, third district, New York City.
In the forties many of the Epsilon Sigma men went off to war as World War II was in its fury for some six years. We saw the next generation of Epsilon Sigma men become leaders in our fraternity working tirelessly to reform the procedures and National Constitution of the fraternity. They included Bro. Oliver C. Eastman, Director of the NYC Rent Control Board in Harlem; Bro. Elrich Eastman, Acting NYS Supreme Court Justice and later Family Court Judge in the Bronx, NY; Bro. Louis D. Powell, Court Officer, Queens, NY; and Bro. Woodrow W. Carter, Director of Social Work Division, National Office of Episcopal Church. In 1949, at the National Conclave, Bro. Oliver C. Eastman presented a list of recommendations from Epsilon Sigma Chapter to bring the National Fraternity into the future.
In 1950, Epsilon Sigma Chapter hosted the National Conclave. Bro. Joseph A. Bailey, immediate past President of Epsilon Sigma Chapter, was the General Chairman of the 1950 Conclave Committee. For his successful efforts in bringing the Conclave to New York, he was elected by the Conclave to the office of First National Vice-President.
In 1952, the Epsilon Sigma Wives Auxiliary was formed to give support to the programs sponsored by the chapter and to develop a greater comradeship among the wives of Epsilon Sigma men. In 1958, Epsilon Sigma Chapter purchased a Brownstone Building at 133 West 120th Street in Harlem to serve as a meeting place and as a low cost housing property for the community. Until this current day it is the only Sigma Fraternity House in New York City.
During the 1960’s, one dynamic and charismatic brother was enlivening the social scene in Harlem.Bro. C. Melvin Patrick started the Career Day Conference for high school youngsters. He brought in Black role models to present information about careers so that our youngsters would know first hand what a specific career would offer them. This conference continues today under C. Melvin Patrick’s name and is sponsored by the Pan-Hellenic Council of Greater New York.For over a decade, its Conference Chairman was Bro. Darryl G. Minor—past president of Epsilon Sigma Chapter and current House Corporation President. Bro. C. Melvin Patrick also started the Delegate Magazine—a roundup of the social activity in our African-American community in Harlem and the elsewhere. Bro. Patrick was also the longtime president of the Pan-Hellenic Council of Greater New York and the National Director of Publicity for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
The decade of the ‘70’s had a new group of leaders coming up and making changes in the structure of New York Sigmadom. We saw the formation of a Metro Chapter, Theta Gamma, designed to capture the many collegiate men who had no Sigma chapter on their college campuses and increase membership. In 1976, Bro. Ronald DeLeon, Finance Manager with NYNEX, was responsible for chartering this chapter. Bro. DeLeon was also the President of Epsilon Sigma Chapter in 1978-79.
In 1981 Bro. Richard F. Ferguson, District Manager of the Harlem Social Security office, was asked to step into the leadership position as President of Epsilon Sigma Chapter. In 1955, Bro. Ferguson was elected to the position of Associate Regional Director for undergraduate affairs at the 1955 Eastern Regional Conference.
Under Bro. Ferguson’s leadership, Epsilon Sigma Chapter’s membership grew. The Fraternity House became a place where community groups and other organizations met for a nominal fee. During the eighties some of the noteworthy things were the Annual Toy Party at Harlem Hospital, After-work Cocktail Sips at the Frat House, A Sigma Beta Club, financial support to local charities, our annual Moonlight Cruise, participation in the Career Day Conference and annual participation in the African-American Day Parade just to name a few. Some of the brothers who played a role in the chapter during this time were Brothers Robert Myers, former President; Adolph Rhymer, Financial Secretary; Hamilton Carrington; Arthur Golden, former President; Willis McMillan, Chaplin; and Edgar B. Felton, former President, Eastern Regional Director and Editor of the Crescent Magazine.
In the 1990’s the next generation of leadership was coming into view to move the chapter forward. One of the highlights of 1992 was the chapter’s hosting of the Eastern Regional Conference in New York City at the Ramada Hotel, Queens, NY. This was to be one of the most important conferences in a long time. The theme of the Conference was The Survival of the African-American Male. From 1991-1993, Bro. Greville French served as Chapter President. It is noteworthy to recognize Brother Greville French for his tremendous efforts in chartering and reactivating many of the undergraduate chapters in the New York State and the region. Bro French has held many positions in the fraternity on the local, state and regional levels including the 23rd Eastern Regional Director where he served from 2004–2008.
Bro. Ralph Davis, President of Epsilon Sigma Chapter from 1994-1996 led the chapter as we celebrated our 75th Anniversary. Bro. Robert Myers served as chairman of the 75th Anniversary Committee; it proved to be a truly memorable occasion. Bro. Ralph Davis served as the Eastern Regional Treasurer and worked tirelessly to set the standards of service to the community. Bro. Davis is one of the most trusted and respected financial managers today and is solely responsible for making dozens of New York Sigmas life members.
From the mid to late nineties until the end of the 20th century, Bro. Jeffrey Holliman was one of the chapter’s younger enthusiastic members who brought on many new ideals in Epsilon Sigma Chapter. He served as President, Vice-President, Director of Bigger and Better Business, as well as a past Associate Regional Director for the Eastern Region. And there was Bro. Ricardo Nazario-Colon, past President of Epsilon Sigma Chapter, who worked tirelessly as the New York State Director with many collegiate chapters. He reactivated chapters and cleared the lingering status of brothers awaiting approval in National Headquarters. Bro. Nazario-Colon also assisted brothers with their collegiate programming. Bro. Colon’s previous leadership still rings today within those brothers he assisted in the collegiate chapters. Several of them have moved on to join the ranks of Epsilon Sigma as well as our fellow alumni chapters around the state.
In the 21st century, our past President, Bro. Darryl G. Minor, continued to follow the footsteps of chapter predecessors. His main goal was to bridge the gap between heritage, standing and new members to carry forth the programs of Sigma. Bro. Minor currently serves as the president to Epsilon Sigma’s Fraternity House Corporation.
Bro. Raymond E. Rudisill, chapter President from 2005-2007, began to navigate the course for Epsilon Sigma. Under his leadership membership increased greatly. He focused on efficiency and our Sigma Beta Club program for the youth of Harlem as well as our national programs.
In 2008 & 2009, chapter President, Bro. Kenneth Abrantes moved Epsilon Sigma forward. During his administration, the chapter was recognized for its outstanding work and service to the community.
Our current President, Bro. Rommel Cave, aspires to build on the wonderful history of greatness in Epsilon Sigma Chapter by increasing accountability, efficiency, chapter management and communication. Bro. Cave is also committed to strengthening partnerships with our sister organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, as well as other Pan-Hellenic Council Greek-Lettered Organizations.
The chapter also has within its ranks public officials including, the Honorable Bro. Daniel Lewis, Supreme Court Justice, Criminal Court, County of Queens who was originally appointed Criminal Court Justice by former Mayor David Dinkins and the Honorable Bro. William Allen, District Leader, 70th AD, Harlem who is a very influential and charismatic leader who runs the Uptown Democratic Club and has run for the position of City Council member, 9th district.
Epsilon Sigma Chapter is honored to have had all these noble men and current trendsetters in our chapter making history. It is a lasting hope that Epsilon Sigma Chapter continues to move forward in this 21st century by carrying on the work of Sigma, preparing the future leaders of tomorrow, and preserving Phi Beta Sigma firmly in the Harlem community, the country and the world.