Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated () (known as Betas, Lambda Betas or SLB) is a historically Latino based

fraternity A fraternity (from Latin ''frater'': "brother"; whence, " brotherhood") or fraternal organization is an organization, society, club or fraternal order traditionally of men associated together for various religious or secular aims. Fraternit ...

in the United States, now expanded to include a multicultural membership. Founded in 1986 at the

University of Iowa The University of Iowa (UI, U of I, UIowa, or simply Iowa) is a public research university in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1847, it is the oldest and largest university in the state. The University of Iowa is organized into 12 co ...

, in

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the primary purpose of Sigma Lambda Beta is to promote Latino culture based upon the values of fairness, opportunity, and equality. The four principles are Brotherhood, Scholarship, Community Service, and Cultural Awareness. After less than 30 years, Sigma Lambda Beta expanded to over 120 universities and across 30 states. Today, a collegiate entity can be found at some of the largest institutions. Membership into the organization is open to any person who meets intake requirements.

History

During the fall of 1985, a group of men alongside Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal, a member of

Phi Beta Sigma Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. () is a List of African-American fraternities, historically African American Fraternities and sororities, fraternity. It was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 1914, by three young Afr ...

began to explore the idea of establishing a Latino-based fraternity at the University of Iowa, as they saw a need for a Latino fraternity at the predominantly

non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic whites or Non-Latino whites are Americans who are classified as "white", and are not of Hispanic (also known as "Latino") heritage. The United States Census Bureau defines ''white'' to include European Americans, Middle Eastern Am ...

university. Sigma Lambda Beta was recognized and established on . Since its establishment, the organization tries to honor the principles of brotherhood, scholarship, community service, and cultural awareness. The fraternity saw a rapid growth in its early years, according to Founding Father Ricardo Zamudio: As the fraternity grew, Sigma Lambda Beta's membership grew and expanded beyond the Hispanic-Latino origins, making them one of the most diverse Greek lettered organizations in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

. The organization left the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) due to their increasing multicultural membership and increasing regulatory nature (membership criteria).

Founding Fathers

Coming from all different backgrounds and walks of life the Eighteen Founding Fathers of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. are:

Philanthropy

National Philanthropy: Víctor Correa CPR Awareness Day

The Victor Correa CPR Awareness Day was created in honor of Sigma Lambda Beta brother Victor "Ziggy" Correa Ortiz who died during a drowning accident where none of the bystanders knew how to administer CPR. The fraternity encourages its members to host CPR training and awareness events.

National events

BetaCon

Betacon is a biennial convention held by Sigma Lambda Beta. Past locations for the conference: * 1992 - Bloomington, IN * 1994 - Schaumburg, IL * 1996 - Schaumburg, IL * 1998 - Schaumburg, IL * 2000 - Schaumburg, IL * 2002 - Washington D.C. * 2004 - Orlando, FL * 2006 - Henderson, NV * 2008 - Dearborn, MI * 2010 - San Antonio, TX * 2012 - Tampa Bay, FL * 2014 - St. Louis, MO * 2016 - Dallas, TX * 2018 - Denver, CO * 2020 - Virtual * 2022 - Reno, NV

Leadership Institute

Held every other year (alternating with BetaCon), Leadership Institute is a 3-day leadership conference where collegiate brothers are guided through a tailored curriculum with the objective to enhance their leadership and organizational skills to better meet the mission of the fraternity.

Education Foundation

In 2001, brothers of the fraternity formed the Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc.’s Educational Foundation as a

501(c)3 A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of the 29 types of 5 ...

tax-exempt organization. The money raised by the Sigma Lambda Beta Education Foundation is used mainly for the purpose of funding educational and leadership development programs for Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc., as well as for scholarships that are made available to undergraduate and graduate student members.

References

External links

Sigma Lambda Beta National Website

Sigma Lambda Beta Educational Foundation
{{Authority control 1986 establishments in Iowa Fraternities and sororities in Puerto Rico Fraternity Leadership Association Hispanic and Latino American organizations International student societies Latino fraternities and sororities North American Interfraternity Conference Student organizations established in 1986 Student societies in the United States University of Iowa