A New Leader for Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, the Nation’s Oldest Greek-letter Organization…

A New Leader for Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, the Nation’s Oldest Greek-letter Organization of Primarily African American Men.

Atlanta, GA-- At its biennial convention in Denver, Colorado, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, commonly known as the Boulé, installed Robert L. Harris of Oakland, California, as its 44th Grand Sire Archon (national president).

Harris is no stranger to leadership. This retired vice president of Pacific Gas and Electric Company in San Francisco has led a number of America’s most important African American organizations, including being the National Bar Association, for which he served as president, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity as Grand Polemarch (national president).

Harris views his election to leadership of the Boulé as a mandate for action. He said, “The 21st century, with its numerous challenges and opportunities, places the spotlight on African American men, especially those in the Boulé, who must use their talents and considerable influence to impact more directly the lives of our communities, especially those that are most severely handicapped by social inequity, inadequate schools, crime and violence.”

Harris admits that, historically, Sigma Pi Phi has shunned publicity. “We have chosen to become more public now,” said Harris, “so we can more effectively influence the public policy agenda that will strengthen the economic and social plight of African Americans.”

Harris says the Boulé is uniquely positioned to make a difference because its members consist of some of the most accomplished, affluent and influential men in this country; men who are already making significant contributions to their communities, society and the world.

Founded in 1904, Sigma Pi Phi is America’s oldest primarily African American Greek-letter organization. It has 119 member boulés (chapters) throughout the United States and in the Caribbean.  For more than a century Boulé men such as W.E.B. Du Bois, James Weldon Johnson, Martin Luther King, Whitney Young, Benjamin Mays Vernon Jordan, Ken Chenault and numerous others have played key roles in changing the American landscape.

Harris said, “We have no plans to become a typical activist organization, but we do plan to hold public officials accountable when it comes to policies affecting our community.”