Top of the Divine Nine

Who’s Doing Big Things amongst Frat and Sorors in Newark

by Kim Prime

For those who may not be familiar–The Divine Nine roots began on college campuses to unify African American students back in 1906, when Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. formed as the first Black Greeklettered fraternity at Cornell University. By the 1960s, there were nine Black Greek letter organizations, collectively known as the National Pan-Hellenic Council—and affectionately known as the Divine Nine. Interest in joining these organizations has grown far beyond college campuses. Today, it is more a sisterhood and brotherhood of professionals, politicians and movers and shakers, as evidenced by Newark’s Mayor Ras Baraka, who joined Alpha Phi Alpha just two years ago. There are also three members of the fraternity on the Newark Municipal Council, and former Council President Mildred Crump is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. This spring, the recent initiation of 83 new members to the North Jersey Alumnae Chapter (NJAC) of Delta Sigma Theta, many of whom live or work in Newark, proves there is great interest to join this coveted group of nine organizations.

Destination Newark researched and interviewed several members of the Divine Nine to find those who are doing big things in Newark– either as small business owners, nonprofit leaders or educators. Here’s who made our Top 9 of the Divine Nine:

Pastor Ronald Slaughter

Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc.

A proud and visible member of Omega Psi Phi for 15 years, Pastor Ronald Slaughter is the senior pastor at the historic St. James A.M.E. Church, where he is celebrating his 12th year as pastor. The church saw the return this year (after a hiatus during the pandemic) of its popular “Greek Sunday,” where members of the Divine Nine attend the service. Additionally, Pastor Slaughter is deputy director of Community Relations for the City Newark’s Public Safety Department, where his primary focus is improving and fostering community relations between police and residents. He is also chair of the board of directors at Saint Michael’s Medical Center, overseeing the direction of the hospital.

Why Omega Psi Phi?

“I’m proud and honored to be a part of a fraternity that produces leaders for the world in the area of church, community, leadership, and politics,” says Pastor Ronald Slaughter.

Sharon Hardesty

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Sharon Hardesty is celebrating the recent initiation of 83 new members to the North Jersey Alumnae Chapter (NJAC) of Delta Sigma Theta, of which she is currently the president. Having been a member of the sorority for 25 years, Hardesty has held a number of leadership positions within the organization, including vice president, financial secretary and various committee chairs. Additionally, Hardesty is the co-chair of the Eastern Regional Program Planning and Development Committee.

Hardesty is a vice president at Santander Bank, where she’s worked for 35 years. In Newark, she is a Newark Zoning Board of Adjustments Commissioner, and a graduate of the Newark Residents Leadership Academy; and a trustee at the St. John Community Baptist Church.

Why Delta Sigma Theta?

“Our sorority has its roots in the fight for social justice. Delta means change and social action is woven into our Five Point Programmatic Thrust. I am also proud of NJAC’s commitment to our great city of Newark where we partner with numerous community agencies to impact and empower the people we serve. Our youth programs are awesome and we have awarded over one million dollars in scholarships to deserving high school students throughout Essex County,” says Sharon Hardesty.

Dr. Jeffrey Robinson has certainly carried on the tradition of leadership and excellence started by the founders of Alpha Phi Alpha. As a member for the past 16 years, a life member and a current member of the Theta Psi Lambda Chapter in central New Jersey, Dr. Robinson serves as the president of the Sphinx Scholarship Fund, his chapter’s charitable foundation. That leadership is directly in line with his professional work as the provost and executive vice chancellor at Rutgers University in Newark. Dr. Robinson has held that position for the past year, having been with Rutgers for 15 years as a professor and the Prudential chair of business.

In Newark, Dr. Robinson is also the board chair of the Support Center for Nonprofit Management, and a member of the board of Rising Tide Capital.

Why Alpha Phi Alpha?

“The history of leadership, excellence and civil rights that goes back 117 years. Martin Luther King, Thurgood Marshall, W.E.B. Dubois and so many other members created a legacy of community leadership and high standards stood out for me,” says Dr. Jeffrey Robinson.

Eugene Wade

Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc.

Katrina Ingalls Wade

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Married couple Eugene Wade and Katrina Ingalls Wade both have more than 30 years membership at their respective fraternity and sorority. They have been married for 29 years and are most wellknown for their soup. They are the owners of the famous Heaven’s Delite, Inc., affectionately known as “The Soup Spot” located at 184 Elizabeth Ave., which has been in business for 25 years and has been featured in several publications, including The New York Times.

Why Kappa Alpha Psi?

“Our rich history of tradition and achievement in every field of human endeavor. Membership affords me the opportunity to enjoy being around like-minded men I can share the highs and lows of life’s journey with. Joining as an undergraduate student bonded me with some young men who became my life-long brothers,” says Eugene Wade.

Why Sigma Gamma Rho?

“Our five national programs: Operation Big Book Bag, Annual Youth Symposium, Women’s Wellness Initiative, Project Cradle Care and Swim 1922 change people’s lives and provide a hope and confidence that is palpable! Becoming a member of my organization as an undergraduate student gave me a chance to grow and serve with some powerfully impactful young women with whom I’m still connected today,” says Katrina Ingalls Wade.

Mary Bentley LaMar Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha for 46 years, Mary Bentley LaMar is the immediate past North Atlantic Regional Director for the sorority, and a longtime Newark resident. She is the founder and executive director of the Sickle Cell Association of New Jersey for the past 14 years; the vice president of the Board of Directors of the Newark Boys Chorus School; and also involved with the Forest Hill Community Association and SuperKidz Kamp in Newark.

Why Alpha Kappa Alpha?

“It brings me joy to know that I am a member of the first sorority founded by African-American women with a mission to serve all humanity. And more importantly, we fulfill that mission everyday through sisterhood, scholarship and service. You see it in our Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, you see that mission in local chapters as they render community service, and you see it in individual members like myself, who chose life work that helps others,” says Mary Bentley LaMar.

Theodore N. Stephens, II, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II takes some responsibility for creating the Divine Nine. It was during his tenure as the Grand Polaris (National President) of Iota Phi Theta from 1990 to 1995 that the organization laid the groundwork to join the National Pan Hellenic Council. Stephens joined the fraternity in 1975, as a charter member of his undergraduate chapter, Phi Chapter at Rowan University. He is currently a charter member of Phi Omega in North Jersey.

Stephens has been the acting prosecutor since 2018. He is also a life member of the NAACP, and a member of the Garden State Bar Association, Essex County Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Why Iota Phi Theta?

“Our motto is ‘Building a tradition, not resting upon one’. We were the first Black Greek letter organization at the then Glassboro State College, meeting a need that followed the tradition of our founders–a communityoriented social service organization. I’m proud that we’ve continued our founders’ vision and built the organization that exists today,” says Theodore N. Stephens, II.

Reginald Clark

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Vesta Godwin Clark

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Reginald Clark and his wife Vesta Godwin Clark share a unique bond even beyond being married for 20 years. As members of Phi Beta Sigma for 47 years and Zeta Phi Beta for 43 years, respectively, their organizations are connected by the constitutions of each. Both say it helps having a partner that understands the demands each organization places on your time—it takes a commitment to provide the service that each organization does.

In addition to their service to their organizations, both are deeply connected and making an impact to the city of Newark. Vesta is the Executive Director of the Saint James Social Service Corporation, whose stated mission is to support families and improve the quality of life for children, the elderly, low-income families, the working poor and the homeless. Reginald is a basketball coach and a Newark Public Schools teacher of 23 years.

Why Phi Beta Sigma?

“We participate in a number of activities related to social action, and we have a successful mentoring program for young men, the Sigma Beta Club. Also, the brotherhood—some of the relationships I forged 47 years ago are still going strong today,” says Reginald Clark.

Why Zeta Phi Beta ?

“One source of immense pride for me is the fact that I was a charter member of my undergraduate chapter, and to see that chapter is still flourishing and growing, and working towards our organization’s goals of community service, scholarship and finer womanhood,” says Vesta Godwin Clark. dN

If you have someone you think should be featured, send an email to kprime@colemediainc.com