A Narrative History of NPHC Chicago

A meeting was convened at Jack Childs’ office and was attended, by James Hill, Auggeretto Battiste, and Don Trotter (currently State Senator of Illinois), all members of Alpha Phi Alpha. It was determined that community action could not be carried out under the Fraternal name and an invitation was extended to the other historically African American membership Greek letter organizations.

The name chosen for this group was The Pan Hellenic Community Action Council of Chicago (PHCACC) and their first objective was to launch a massive voter registration drive spearheaded by Elliott Green of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. The Pan Hellenic Community Action Council was incorporated on December 16, 1982 following with the writing of our Constitution and Bylaws.

A little known fact is that the National Pan-Hellenic Council logo was originally designed during this time by the PHCACC and was subsequently adopted by the National Organization. In its original form, the logo only had 7 points. The present 9-point version was developed by Frater Dwayne Dixon of Iota Phi Theta and was adopted (after much discussion) when Iota was inducted into the NPHC in 1997.

During the next six years, the PHCACC continued to provide a powerful voice in the African American community and was actively involved in the election of our first African American Mayor in the City of Chicago, Mayor Harold Washington (Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity) as well as State Comptroller Roland Burris (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity).

This activity and dedication formed the basis for the strength and growth of the council continues today. The council remains committed to its mission of being “United to Make a Difference.” Community being the central focus of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Chicago, Inc. we promote programs and initiatives to improve the African-American conditions from an academic, economic, health, social and civic perspective. Through partnerships with other community-based organizations, as well as those relationships established among member-chapters, the NPHC-C encourages member chapters to be leaders in the community through service, education, brotherhood and sisterhood.