During the early Spring 1986 semester, Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal began to explore the idea of establishing a Latino based Fraternity. After months of intensive research, Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal called a special meeting on Monday, March 7, 1986 with some of the Latino students at the Chicano Indian American Cultural Center in the University of Iowa. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the need and feasibility of creating a new social Fraternity with an emphasis on the Latino Culture.

At that point in time, the student body at the University of Iowa was predominantly Caucasian. In addition, the Latino community on campus was divided into different social groups. As a result, the students who attended the first meeting wanted to solidify and unify the Latino community. Furthermore, the students wanted to promote a positive image of Latinos in the University.

After the first meeting, the enthusiasm in favor of the Fraternity was so encouraging that the word spread throughout the University of Iowa. Everyone knew that something special was about to take place. On Friday, April 4, 1986, the members finalized the philosophy of the Organization. Hence, April 4, 1986, is the official founding date of the Fraternity.

In the 20 plus years of existence, Sigma Lambda Beta has expanded to 22 states including: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Wisconsin. Expansion of our organization has also reached the shores of Puerto Rico. The Fraternity can be found in over fifty Universities. Furthermore, the Fraternity has 14 strong Alumni Associations.

Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated is committed to developing individuals to their fullest potentials in order to help serve the needs and wants of our people. As members, Brothers learn to "open their eyes" to see the possibilities that are open to all Latinos, to share thoughts and ideas, and to recognize the potential that we as a united whole can and will exhibit in order to help keep our shared values alive and working. Each Brother has the responsibility to develop and utilize his own skills and assets in anyway that may contribute to the overall success of the Fraternity, and more importantly help improve our community, our country, and the world.