News

100 Camden Area Students Taken to Hidden Figures Viewing by Local Fraternity

VOORHEES, NJ, January 24, 2017 – On January 23, 2017, the Delta Epsilon Foundation rented out the Ritz Carmike Theater in Voorhees, New Jersey and invited 100 young people for a private screening of the movie, Hidden Figures.  The Oscar nominated film tells the story of three African-American women working at NASA who served as the brains behind the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit.  In addition to inviting young men who are personally mentored by archons, the Foundation partnered with several local organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Camden Youth Services, Eastern Regional High School, and the Willingboro High School cheerleading squad to expose their youth participants to this amazing film focused on empowering black women to succeed in careers in the STEM subjects. 

“I learned that talent does not see race, color or creed.  The movie inspired us to challenge social norms to be the first, make history and change the world,” said Korey Hagamin, a senior at Overbrook High School (Pine Hill, NJ).

Before the film, Archon Rod Bennett, chairman of the Delta Epsilon Foundation, gave opening remarks about the history of Sigma Pi Phi and its social action initiatives.  Archon Ron Ward also moderated a Q&A session with Ms. Laurie Hylick, granddaughter of Katherine Johnson, the African-American physicist and mathematician portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in the movie.  Throughout her career at NASA, Katherine Johnson made significant contributions to the aeronautics and space programs that launched Apollo 11 and Project Mercury, among others.  Ms. Hylick spoke about her grandmother's research for NASA and the Space Shuttle program, as well as breaking barriers for women in science.

Ron Bacon, head of Delta Epsilon Boulé (Voorhees resident and formerly with TD Bank) emphasized the organization’s commitment to mentor African-American youth and thanked the following Archons for their efforts in organizing this event: Archons Donn Scott (Voorhees resident formerly with Wells Fargo Bank), Lloyd Freeman (Sicklerville resident and partner at Archer Law firm), Rod Bennett (Voorhees resident and co owner

of BCG Solutions) and Ron Ward (resident of Beverly and co-owner of Origlio Beverage).

 

About Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity-Delta Epsilon Member Boulé

Sigma Pi Phi (ΣΠΦ) is the first African-American Greek-lettered organization and was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 15, 1904. The fraternity quickly established chapters (referred to as "member boulés") and currently have 129 member Boulés in the

United States, Europe and Nassau, Bahamas. The Delta Epsilon Member Boule is located in Southern, New Jersey (web address www.deltaepsilonboule.org). Their national organization can accessed at www.sigmapiphi.org. 

Delta Epsilon Celebrates 25 Years of a Proud Past and Looks Forward to a Powerful Future Amidst Celebrating Christmas with Their Archousai

  
  
Delta Epsilon was chartered on April 13, 1991.  There were fifteen Archons that were inducted at the ceremony in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  Presiding over the ceremony was Grand Sire Archon Benjamin Major along with Past Grand Sire Archon Bob Franklin, Grand Sire Archon-Elect Huel Perkins, Grand Grammateus Archon Harvey C. Russell, and the Northeast Regional Sire Archon Samuel Beard. 

On the snowy evening of Saturday, December 17, 2016, eleven of those Delta Epsilon Charter Archons joined Delta Epsilon, Northeast Regional Sire Archon Joseph Mead, Mu Boule’s Sire-Elect Reginald Browne, former Delta Epsilon Archons Frederick Foard and Leonard Fritz, their beautiful Archousai, along with other distinguished guests and at the Woodcrest Country Club in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  Due to unforeseen weather circumstances, Grand Sire Archon Wesley Coleman and his Archousa Brenda Coleman were unable to attend the celebration but sent their congratulatory regards and were there with Delta Epsilon in spirit.  The country club was festively decorated with holiday theme to celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of the chartering of Delta Epsilon, the induction of two new Archons, and to celebrate Delta Epsilon’s magnificent and talented Archousai. 

The 15 charter Archons of Delta Epsilon were Archon William Baker, Archon Roderick Bennet, Archon Calvin Bland, Archon Edgar Darrell, Archon Ronald Davis, Archon Ronald Freeman, Archon Alvord Harris, Archon Lewis Profitt, Archon Donn Scott, Archon Alphonso Smith, Archon Ron Steward, Archon Lebron Taylor, Archon Carey Tucker, Archon John Wallace, and Archon Joseph Williams.  Twenty-five years ago, these 15 distinguished men joined Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity with the mission to support and enlighten one another in friendship and fraternity while continuing to support and uplift their community. 

As Delta Epsilon celebrated this momentous occasion the Archons and Archousai continued to demonstrate their philanthropic efforts by donating new and unwrapped toys to The First Baptist Church of Haddonfield in New Jersey.  These toys were then wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree for underprivileged children in the community to open on Christmas morning.

Archon Damon Pennington and Archon Lloyd Freeman were inducted into Sigma Pi Phi on that historic and magical celebratory evening.  The Archousai of Delta Epsilon welcomed Archousa Sonia Pennington and Archousa Ebony Freeman into their sisterhood. 

Following the Archousai Reception and the Induction Ceremony, all guests gathered in the ballroom for the special presentation, dinner, dancing, followed by delicious desserts.

Although 25 years have passed, through the preservation and advancement of technology, Delta Epsilon was able to incorporate video footage from the original chartering reception into the 25^thAnniversary presentations.  The presentations kicked off with a welcome from Immediate Past Sire Archon Nathan Johnson followed by a video display of the original prayer that was delivered by Archon William Baker in 1991.  Archon Lemuel Clark presented the names of 13 Charter Members.  Eleven of the fifteen charter Archons attended the 25^th Anniversary celebration.  Charter Archon Ron Stewart and Charter Archon H. Lebron Taylor have passed away. 

Regional Sire Archon Joseph Mead from Alpha Boule welcomed all of the attendees, gave encouraging words, and shared how delighted he and his Archousa were to join Delta Epsilon for the dinner and the celebration.

The Archons of Delta Epsilon performed a very special Cupid Shuffle line dance tribute to their Archousai.  Seeing their Archons truly enjoying themselves while dancing brought huge smiles to the Archousai’s faces.

Charter Archon Lewis Profitt made remarks and presented gifts to the Archousai of the Charter Members from his recent trip to China to honor their love and support for their Archons over the past 25 years. 

Archon Joseph Williams spoke about the fundraising and social action efforts that the Member Boule has executed over the past 25 years, which includes scholarships and mentoring programs.  Deceased Archon H. Lebron Taylor was very instrumental beginning years of the social action programming. Since the first annual H. Lebron Taylor Golf Outing in 2002, Delta Epsilon has raised $250,000 to fund scholarships for 75 students and has received additional awards and grants to support social programs.  Archon Williams highlighted many other achievements of the Member Boule over the last 25 years, which included increasing membership from fifteen Archons to thirty.  

Social Action Chair Archon Ronald Ward enthusiastically shared the future to expand the Social Action Program by (1) partnering with students who are excited to partner with Delta Epsilon, (2) mentor students from local HBCU’s, (3) partner with established local mentoring programs, (4) financially support program, (5) encourage Archons to commit over 200 mentoring hours in 2017. 

Archon Ward shared his personal memoir with the audience of how he dreamed of ‘becoming a master of his soul’ and recited “What Did the Cicada Say to the Brown Boy” by Clint Smith.

  
What Did the Cicada Say to the Brown Boy

By Clint Smith

  
I’ve seen what they make of you

How they render you a multiplicity

Of mistakes

  
They have undone me as well

Pulled back my shell & feasted

On my flesh

  
Claimed it was for their survival

& they wonder why I only show my face

every seventeen years

  
but you

  
you’re lucky if they let you live that long

I could teach you some things, you know

Have been playing this game since before

  
You know what breath was

This here is prehistoric

Why you think we fly?

  
Why you think we roll in packs?

You think these swarms are for the fun of it?

I would tell you that you don’t roll deep enough

  
But every time you swarm, they shoot

Get you some wings, son

Get you some wings

  
A moment of silence given to honor those Archons and Archousa that have passed away. 

Archon Charles Nelson led the Archons in a heartfelt tribute to the Archousai of Delta Epsilon followed by a beautiful response from Archousa Barbara Wallace.

Delta Epsilon’s Sire Archon Ronald Bacon closed out the presentations by formally introducing the two new Archons and their beautiful Archousai.  Archon Bacon announced the plan to partner with Wells Fargo Bank, Lincoln Financial, and other organization to further the endeavors of the Member Boule’s Social Action Programs.  Delta Epsilon has approved a $25,000 scholarship fund for 2017 to support students that attend HBCU’s and an annual $10,000 commitment going forward to support this effort.  These scholarships are in addition to the current scholarship funding provided through the Social Action programs.  Graduates of Hampton University, Archon Ronald Bacon and Archousa Brenda Bacon have personally pledged $25,000 over the next 3 years to Hampton University towards this giving effort. 

In honor of the proud past of Delta Epsilon, a commemorative calendar was produced that featured pictures of the Archons and Archousai over the past 25 years.

The Archons and Archousai of Delta Epsilon were very appreciative of all of the hard work that the 25^th Anniversary Celebration Core Committee and all of the special helpers put forth to making this a special and unforgettable evening for all of the attendees.  The 25^thAnniversary Committee was Archon Donn Scott, Archousa Denise Kirkland, Archon Calvin Bland, Archousa April Butts, Archon Calvin L. Butts Jr., Archousa Margaret Gaines-Clark, Archon Gerald DeVaughn, Archousa Azzmeiah Ward, and Archousa Gwen Williams.

Southern New Jersey Delta Epsilon Archon Calvin L. Butts Jr. has been approved by the Hampton University Provost and Archon William Harvey, President of Hampton University, to be appointed to the Hampton University School of Business Board of Advisors.  Archon Butts is an active supporter of the University and its Athletic Department.  In 2013, Archon Butts was the special guest at the School of Business Leadership Application Program and at that time donated five thousand dollars in scholarship. In 2014, he gave the keynote speech at the 13^th Annual Readiness Pinning Ceremony Banquet.

Archon Butts also is a Co-founder of HUYAC (Hampton Young Alumni Council) and Co-funded the launch of a new national athletic fund campaign, HamptonNation, along with Dr. Michael Greene.  Archon Butts has also held positions in the National Hampton Alumni Association as National Mentor Chair and Young Alumni Liaison. Butts is married to his college sweetheart, Archousa April H. Butts and they have three children, Carmen, Cailyn, and Calvin III.

Archon John Wallace, a Retired New Jersey Supreme Court Justice, was honored by The Boys and Girls Clubs of Gloucester County.

"Judge Wallace is an ideal choice because he has spent 50 years volunteering as a coach and mentor to our youth," says Robert Taylor, GCBGC Executive Director.

"I'm excited and thrilled to be recognized by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Gloucester County, and I'm also excited that we'll be starting our own club in Washington Township," Wallace said. "The clubs provide an outstanding, much-needed service to the youth of our community and I'm honored to play a role in the upcoming event."

Justice Wallace's career as a jurist covered more than 25 years. He is now counsel to the firm of Brown & Connery, concentrating on mediation, arbitration, and complex litigation.

Wallace was appointed to the Superior Court of New Jersey in 1984.  He served in the Criminal and Civil divisions, was elevated to the Appellate Division in 1992, and confirmed to the Supreme Court in 2003. The New York Times called Wallace "a sound jurist who was the court's only African-American."

Honored frequently, Wallace's awards include the Medal of Honor from the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, the Professional Lawyer of the Year, and the Arthur T. Vanderbilt Award for Excellence in Administration.  All of these awards are from the New Jersey State Bar Association. He also won the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Award for Excellence.