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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING 111 YEARS THE BROTHERHOOD, SCHOLARSHIP, AND SERVICE OF PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY, INCORPORATED
WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., was founded on January 9, 1914, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. by the Honorable A. Langston Taylor, Honorable Leonard F. Morse, and Honorable Charles I. Brown, who wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of brotherhood, scholarship, and service; and
WHEREAS, From its inception, Phi Beta Sigma was conceived as a mechanism to deliver services to the general community. The founders held a deep conviction that they should return their newly acquired skills to the communities from which they had come. This deep conviction was mirrored in the Fraternity’s motto, “Culture For Service and Service For Humanity”; and
WHEREAS, over its one hundred plus years of existence, the Fraternity has focused on improving the global community through dedicated service. This focus has compelled the development of the organization’s four main programs: Bigger and Better Business, Education, Social Action and Sigma Beta Clubs that embrace these objective; and
WHEREAS, The organization has been innovative in that it has chronicled several firsts. It was the first National Pan-Hellenic Council organization to launch a youth auxiliary group - The Sigma Beta Club, the first to establish a credit union, and the first to be constitutionally bound to a sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, The fraternity is proud to have members such as former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Charles Freeman, U.S. Congressman John Lewis, NASA Astronaut Victor Glover, and jazz legend Ramsey Lewis among its rolls.
WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., has had a collegiate and alumni presence in the Evanston community for more than 45 years since the chartering of the Iota Nu Chapter at Northwestern University in 1978 and the re-establishment of a Sigma presence with the chartering of the Upsilon Nu Sigma Chapter in 2024. Since its chartering, the Upsilon Nu Sigma chapter has been actively engaged with the Evanston and greater Chicago community, including but not limited to mentoring youth through the iMentor organization, community service with the Northwestern University Public Relations department, volunteering for the Evanston Flapjacks and Flannel breakfast, raising money and awareness for the Lupus Foundation of America, mailing holiday cards to senior citizens, supporting the Bud Billiken Day Parade, hosting professional development sessions for members, actively supporting Black businesses through the Phi Beta Sigma Black Spend initiative, and volunteering in partnership with the Omega Pi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated of Evanston, IL.
WHEREAS, in honor of this commitment to service, we are proud to recognize the fraternity’s members for the numerous ways they impart their talents to enrich and embrace our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, do hereby recognize and celebrate Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. demonstration of excellence, leadership, and commitment to service within our communities and beyond.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceeding of this Honorable Body, and a suitable copy of the same be tendered to Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. to commemorate this momentous occasion.
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