Who’s Doing Big Things Amongst Frat and Sorors in Newark
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 Greek lettered 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.
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.
Jeffrey Robinson, Ph.D
Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
