The Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was organized in the early 1920’s with approximately eight members.

 The founders of the chapter were Brothers Clarence Roberts and an unnamed railroad employee. The other members were Brothers Kelsey Pharr, J.R. Scott, W.A. Chapman, Henry H. Green, H.E.S. Reeves, J.R. Taylor, S.P. Gansby, and Anthony Twine.

 Henry H. Green was a doctor from Jacksonville, Florida. Kelsey L. Pharr was a mortician and concerned with the civic welfare of the community. A native of North Carolina, with his office located in what is known as "OVERTOWN". He was also the founder of the Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery.

 H.E.S. Reeves migrated from Nassau, Bahamas and was the Editor of the Miami Times a Weekly newspaper for the black community.

 Clarence Roberts was a pharmacist who was married to the niece of Mary McLeod Bethune. He was the youngest member.

 J.R. Scott was a dentist and the Exalted Ruler of the Elk I.B.P.O.E. He was from Jacksonville, Florida, working for the State Customs and one of the leading politicians in the United States.

 J.R. Taylor was a merchant and was into many things. He owned two stores, one located in Semineola and one on 14^th Street and Third Avenue. He attended school at Paine College and Columbia University. Brother Taylor taught tailoring at Booker T. Washington Senior High School for four years.

 The National Office had no representative in Miami to perform the initiation ceremony and as a result, Brother Clarence Roberts was deputized to perform the ceremony. Brother Kelsey L. Pharr was the president and Brother J.R. Taylor was the Secretary. These were the only known officers.

 The Rho Sigma Chapter was organized basically as a social group. The chapter had a fraternity house located at 549 13 Street, which included a tennis court and a recreation room with a pool table. Brother Kelsey L. Pharr donated this fraternity house to the chapter.

 Meetings were every two weeks. Dues were approximately one dollar a month. Expenses of the chapter were small and incurred by the members of the chapter. With such a small amount of expenses, the members of the chapter saw no reason for a large treasury.

 There was very little affiliation with the National Office because of racial tension in Miami. Brothers Pharr and Roberts attended several National Conclaves.

 The Rho Sigma Chapter was the only Sigma Chapter in the State of Florida and the only fraternity in Miami. Due to the fact that Rho Sigma Chapter was the only existing Chaste in the State, there were no State meetings.

 Rho Sigma Chapter remained the same size for a number of years because of the close-knit atmosphere of the members. During the late 1920’s, economic conditions of the United States were poor and the chapter became inactive.

 This is the history of the Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity as recaptured in a recent interview with Brother J.R. Taylor. In this interview with Brother Taylor, he was able to give us history until the year 1929.