<P> In February 1936 , the first national meeting of the Congress was held in Chicago . It was a confluence of civic , civil rights , labor , and religious groups from across the nation ; over 800 delegates representing 551 organizations and over 3 million constituents attended . A. Philip Randolph was elected President and John P. Davis was elected National Secretary . In keeping with their Popular Front orientation , the Communists in attendance did not attempt to hide their affiliation but consciously deferred to non-Communist delegates . </P>
who was at the helm of the national negro congress that convened in chicago in 1936
A. Philip Randolph John P. Davis