Essex County Commissioner A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, a native of Newark, N.J., recognized the need to acknowledge the impact of Divine Nine Organizations and their members, and took action to ensure their contributions in Essex County received some well-deserved recognition. The result was Essex County’s First Divine Nine Day Celebration, held on Mar. 5 at the Essex County Hall of Records in Newark. Leaders of the Divine Nine organizations received resolutions on behalf of the Essex County Board of Commissioners and the City of Newark’s Municipal Council.
As a high school student, Murray-Thomas received scholarships from both the Montclair Alumnae Chapter and North Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Now, she shares scholarship information every year from local chapters of sororities and fraternities in the Essex County area. She believes it is her responsibility to represent her neighbors — residents of District Two in Essex County.
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“The role of the elected official is to be an amplifier of the voices of the people. It’s not to be their voice because our people have a voice,” said Murray-Thomas, a founder of SHE Wins, Inc. and a 2016 White House Champion of Change — College Opportunity honoree under then-President Barack Obama’s administration. “It’s to be an amplifier of the voices that exist and the voices that are silenced and silent. We were thrilled to host the first-ever Divine Nine Day to celebrate the work and accomplishments of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Essex County. We are bringing together inspirational leaders who have made significant impacts in their communities.”
Essex County Commissioner A’Dorian Murray-Thomas (left) presents resolution to Distinguished Honoree and Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Credit: (Photos courtesy of Essex County Commissioner A’Dorian Murray Thomas) 
Essex County Commissioner A’Dorian Murray-Thomas (left) presents resolution from Essex County Board of County Commissioners to Distinguished Honoree Sharon L. Foushee, president of the National Pan Hellenic Council of Essex County. Foushee, member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., served as chapter president (2007–2009) and currently serves as Scholarship Awards Committee Chairperson. All honorees received resolution from Newark Municipal Council in City of Newark. Credit: (Photos courtesy of Essex County Commissioner A’Dorian Murray Thomas) 
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – North Jersey Alumnae Chapter (left to right) Aarin Williams; Distinguished Honoree Sharon L. Foushee, president of Essex County Pan Hellenic Council; Distinguished Honoree Shadae McDaniel, senior vice president of All Stars Project; and Vivian E. Carter. Credit: (Photos courtesy of Essex County Commissioner A’Dorian Murray Thomas) 
Distinguished Honoree Vesta Godwin Clark (center) with Eta Omicron Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. sisters: Hillside, N.J. Mayor, Dahlia Vertreese (heft) and Judy Hill. Godwin Clark, executive director of St. James Social Services Corporation in Newark, N.J., is charter member of collegiate chapter at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. She has held national, regional, state, and local positions, including national second vice president and New Jersey state director. Credit: (Photos courtesy of Essex County Commissioner A’Dorian Murray Thomas)
At the event, 10 distinguished honorees received resolutions: Rev. Timothy Adkins Jones, MDiv., Ph.D., senior pastor, Bethany Baptist Church in Newark; member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Shevon Armstrong, vice principal, Quitman Street School, Newark; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Beverly Canady, Irvington Schools; member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Vesta Godwin Clark, executive director, St. James Social Services, Corp.; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Tyrone Daye, life coach and stretch therapist; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Sharon Foushee, Pan-Hellenic Council president and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (DST)
Shadae McDaniel, Sr., vice president, All Stars Project; DST
Leonard Robbins, real estate development; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Theodore N. Stephens II, Essex County prosecutor; Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Kcyied Zahir, coach and school principal; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.