09Jan
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. · Chicago's Premier Alumni Chapter
Culture for Service. Service for Humanity.
Upsilon Sigma is Chicago's premier alumni chapter of Phi Beta Sigma. Chartered in 1927 and rooted at the Sigma House on King Drive, we are brothers who show up for the South Side, for young men, and for each other.
1927Chartered
ΦΒΣGreat Lakes Region
4941S. King Drive
1914Phi Beta Sigma founded at Howard University
1927Upsilon Sigma chartered in Chicago by nine brothers
1949Brothers purchase the Sigma House on King Drive
61+Chapters chartered or reclaimed across the region, 1974–80
150KCollege-educated men in the fraternity worldwide
What we do
All programs
Four programs. One South Side.
Youth mentoring · Ages 8–18
Sigma Beta Club
The first youth auxiliary of any Greek-letter organization, founded in 1954. Our Chicago club develops young men through culture, athletics, social growth, and education, and walks with them toward college and the workforce.
1954Founded
8–18Ages served
Sat.Monthly sessions
Bigger & Better Business
Entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and the Black business spotlight, on the South Side and beyond.
Education
Scholarships, tutoring, and college readiness that close the gap for Chicago students.
Social Action
Voter engagement, health awareness, and direct service where the community needs it most.
Black Spend · Bigger & Better Business
Every dollar we spend Black builds the South Side.
Black Spend is Upsilon Sigma's collective-economics initiative. Brothers log what they spend with Black-owned businesses in the chapter app, from the barber to the accountant to the caterer for the Carnation Ball. Together those receipts show what one chapter's buying power can do.
The chapter's goal is $250,000. After passing the first $100,000 goal in 2026, the brothers raised the bar.
Spent with Black-owned businesses$239,904
96%of goal
Goal $250,000
—Black-owned businesses
—Purchases logged
—Spent in 2026
Live from the chapter app. Totals only; no individual purchases are shown.
The Sigma House
A home of our own since 1949.
The chapter first met in a funeral establishment on South Indiana. In 1949 the brothers organized a fundraising drive and bought the Sigma House outright. More than 75 years later it is still where Upsilon Sigma meets, mentors, plans, and hosts the city.
From here Upsilon Sigma became the mother chapter of the Great Lakes Region. Under Regional Directors Chester Riley and Clarence Johnson (1974–1980), more than 61 chapters were chartered or reclaimed across the region.
Visit the Sigma House
4941 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL 60615
(312) 254-9914 · (312) 544-9347
Read the full history
On the calendar
Full calendar
Show up with us.
Chapter life
See the programs
Brothers in the community.
Sigmaversaries ·
Celebrating the brothers who crossed this month.
Every crossing date is a milestone. Congratulations, brothers.
Sigma resources
Read the record. Wear the blue.
The Carnation Ball book, plus the fraternity's magazine, credit union, honorary brothers, and official apparel.
2025
Carnation Ball Book
The 2025 souvenir book, honorees, and sponsors.
The
Crescent
Crescent
The Crescent Magazine
The official publication of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
1914
Phi Beta Sigma International
International headquarters, programs, and news.
ΦΒΣ
Honorary Members
The distinguished men made honorary brothers of Sigma.
FCU
Sigma Federal Credit Union
Banking built by brothers, for brothers and their families.
BLU
Blu Culture Collections
Official Sigma apparel and gear.
Membership
Interested in Sigma?
Professional men with a baccalaureate degree are eligible for alumni membership. Tell us a little about yourself and a brother will reach out.