Pleasant Plains in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Lovers' Stroll…A Legacy Begins
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Constitutionally Bound

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 6, 2021
1. The Lovers' Stroll…A Legacy Begins side of the marker
The Lovers' Stroll…A Legacy Begins
Charles Robert Samuel Taylor, a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, which was founded on Howard University's campus on January 9, 1914, envisioned a sister organization that would give life and inspiration to his fraternity. He is quoted as finding the embodiment of that inspiration in his sweetheart, Arizona L. Cleaver, also a student at Howard. It was on one evening in 1919, that Charles took Arizona for a walk along the reservoir, sharing with her, his desire of a sister organization of "finer and stronger women that would make all men proud". Arizona, excited with the prospect, shared the vision — now also her vision — with her best friend, Pearl Anna Neal, and along with three more intelligent, enthusiastic and earnest women, built a legacy…a nation…a Sisterhood. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Founder A. Langston Taylor worked with Charles to solicit support among the men of Sigma throughout the country. On Friday, January 16, 1920, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority — Alpha Chapter — was officially organized on the campus of Howard University. The organizing members wrote the Sigma-Zeta link into the Zeta Constitution:
"We a group of college women organized as a sister group to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, do hereby bind ourselves together for the purpose of…" making it the only constitutionally bound brother and sister Black Greek-Letter Organization.
After graduation, although Charles lived in Kentucky and Arizona returned to her hometown, Hannibal, Missouri for some years before settling down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, they maintained a lifelong bond that had started with the founding of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
Brother Charles Robert Samuel Taylor and Founder A. Langston Taylor of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. ignited an undeniable spark and Founders Arizona Cleaver, Pearl Neal, Myrtle Tyler, Viola Tyler and Fannie Pettie fueled a legacy of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood by their creation of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
And it all began with…
A lovers' stroll
Written by Mary Breaux Wright
24th International President
Valerie Hollingsworth Baker, International Centennial President, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
Michael E. Cristal, International
Constitutionally Bound
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
1914
Founders
A. Langston Taylor • Leonard F. Morse • Charles I. Brown
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
1920
Founders
Arizona Cleaver Stemons • Pearl Anna Neal • Myrtle Tyler Faithful • Viola Tyler Goings • Fannie Pettie Watts
Dedicated on January 16th, 2020
Zeta Centennial Celebration
Jonathan Mason
34th International President
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated
Valerie Hollingsworth Baker
International Centennial President
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
Dr. Jylla Moore Tearte • 20th International President & Centennial Commission Chair
Kim D. Sawyer • Centennial Commission Vice Chair
Erected 2020 by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 9, 1914.
Location. 38° 55.377′ N, 77° 1.093′ W. Marker

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 6, 2021
3. The Lovers' Stroll…A Legacy Begins side of the marker
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Miner Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (about 400 feet away); Founders Library and Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (about 400 feet away); Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (about 500 feet away); Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (about 500 feet away); Fortitude (about 600 feet away); Prometheans, Inc. (about 600 feet away);
Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 21,512 times since then and 1,386 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 5. submitted on February 1, 2025, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.


