In the early spring semester of 1986 at the University of Iowa Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal, wanted to further expand the possibility of a Latino based organization with multicultural membership. The purpose of creating such an organization came from the social and cultural dynamics at the time. Minorities on campus were under represented and lacked interaction amongst each other. Thus, Mendoza along with seventeen other men began to explore the idea of establishing a Latino-based fraternity in order to unify all under represented minorities and to promote cultural understanding along with academic excellence.

The men met officially on March 7 1986 with some of the Latino students at the University of Iowa

On, April 4th 1986 the members finalized the philosophy of the organization and the eighteen men who came to study in the US from Latin America, Africa & Asia became the eighteen Founding Fathers of Sigma Lambda Beta. They were inducted as brothers at the university's Danforth Chapel with the following principles in mind: brotherhood, scholarship, community service and cultural awareness.

The Eighteen Founding Fathers established Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. with the principles of BROTHERHOOD, SCHOLARSHIP, CULTURAL AWARENESS, COMMUNITY SERVICE. These men would go into history as the founding fathers of this great organization. The founding fathers are:

BALTAZAR MENDOZA-MADRIGAL

MANUEL CHAVARRIA

THOMAS CARRASQUILLO

LUIS JIMENEZ

LUIS MARQUES

MARIO BUENDIA

ENRIQUE CARBAJAL

RUDOLFO GARZA

JOSE FONG

ERIC MONTES

KUY OU

OLAKUNLE OYEYEMI

JAIME RAMIREZ

OLIVERO RIVERA

JUAN JOSE ROJAS-CARDONA

EUGENIO SORIA

JUAN VALDEZ

RICARDO ZAMUDIO

Through the past twenty three years, the Betas have spread the messages of positive change and cultural understanding by setting an example of pride and wisdom in our cultures. We have reached all all region of the United States and the Caribbean. There are still a lot of work that needs to be performed, but together we can make a positive difference in society and our community. As the the Latin phrase in out Fraternity shield reads “CONGRESSI SUPERAMUS DIVISI CADIMUS” united we stand divided we fall.