Black Greeks, From Decision to Reality
A Conversation with members of the Utica College Black Alumni Association and members of the Divine Nine - the nine international historically Black Greek fraternities and sororities, as they reflect on the value, memories, and impact of membership.
Members of the UC community can listen, engage, and learn how being involved in a historically Black Greek organization on a historically white college campus can help students to persist to graduation and beyond.
Join this live virtual conversation via Zoom on February 19, 2021, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Panelists
Marquis Simpson - Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Marquis Simpson graduated from Utica College in May 2020 with a major in Criminal Justice, and a minor in Cybersecurity along with a concentrating in Cyber Criminology and Policy. He initiated Fall 19, Delta Beta Chapter, The Executive Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Incorporated. Marquis currently serve as an Advisor for the Colony at Utica College, while employed full-time at The Bank Of New York Mellon. He was not only active in Greek Life on campus he participated in four years of College Football and Track as well.
Frank Ayala - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- Attend Utica College of Syracuse University from Fall 1990 to Spring 1994
- Out of a line of 7, with only 3 crossing, became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. second semester freshman year in Spring 1991
- Graduated from Utica College of Syracuse University Spring 1994 with a B.A. majoring in Political Science and minoring in Business Administration
- Completed a 10-month program with Utica College of Syracuse University Division of Continuing Education certification Legal Assistant Program to become a paralegal in Spring 1995
- Graduated in 2000 from the University of Buffalo School of Law with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) with a concentration in International Law and Civil Litigation to later attain a license to practice law in New York since 2004
- Graduate in 2020 from Hunter College with a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) with a Major in Teacher of Students with Disabilities - Adolescent, Grades 7-12 (Generalist), after completing the New York City Teaching Fellows Program and currently serving as a Special Educator with the Department of Education in a high school located in the South Bronx
- In conjunction with fellow alumni who graduated from Utica College who are Alphas, founded in 2020 Alpha FLITE (http://alphaflite.com/), which is a start-up non-profit company with a focus on Financial Literacy & Investment Through Education with the purpose to promote financial literacy amongst targeted groups of African Americans and LatinX communities
Ben Jeffers - Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
- Brother Ben Jeffers - 28th Second District Representative, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
- Initiated at Kappa Chapter (Syracuse University) May 7, 1971
- Basileus at Kappa Chapter
- Graduate Advisor for Delta Mu Chapter (Cornell University) 1986 - 1995
- 2nd District Corridor Representative 1990 - 2000, Supervising Upstate Chapters (Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Watertown and Binghamton)
- 2nd District Representative 2002 - 2004, Supervising 5 states (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania)
- Assistant to the 39th Grand Basileus 2010 - Present
- Graduate Advisor to Kappa Chapter (Syracuse University) 2015 - Present
Alan Paynter - Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Alan T. Paynter, Hobart & William Smith Colleges’ Director of Admissions began his tenure after spending 20 years in college admissions in Pennsylvania at both Lebanon Valley College and Dickinson College respectively. Prior to transitioning into higher education, Alan wore several hats as an elementary school teacher, mental health professional, non-profit executive and coach. He holds degrees from Kutztown University and Duquesne University. Alan’s work in admissions has primarily been at small liberal arts colleges where he’s spearheaded the colleges’ diversity recruitment efforts, served as an athletics liaison and managed the application review processes. Mr. Paynter has been a sought-after speaker and panelist around the country on various topics surrounding the college admissions process and college access work. Alan has enjoyed publishing several local and national articles including two featured in the New York Times’ Room for Debate. Additionally, he is the founder and Head Coach of the Hershey Blaze Track Club serving more than 250 youth annually and has earned more than 200 regional/ national awards including 22 National Champions.
Paynter is a charter member and Polaris of the Delta Alpha Omega Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. based out of the Harrisburg/ Hershey area of Pennsylvania. He was initiated in to the fraternity in the Fall of 1994 at the Beta Kappa Chapter at Kutztown University. His tireless for work and dedication to youth is far reaching stems in part from his membership in Iota. Serving young people is his lifelong passion and through the fraternity he continues to inspire him in new ways to impact that masses in need. Paynter also has three children currently all whom are current college athletes.
Lisa McCarthy Dennis - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
(Class of 88) hales from Queens, New York is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She pledged Nu Chi Chapter at Utica College in Spring, 1987 and is currently a member of the Wilmington (DE) Alumnae Chapter. She obtained her B.S. in Criminal Justice and has celebrated her 27th year as Senior Paralegal in a local law firm. In 2008 she was recognized by the YWCA of Delaware for her efforts in eliminating racism and empowering women. More recently she has served on the Social Action and Physical and Mental Health Committees of the Wilmington (DE) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Last month she was invited to join Wilmington University's Legal Studies Advisory Board (an American Bar Association program) who's goal is to keep in touch with the community it serves to improve the program and curriculum as well as provide support to students with internships and job opportunities.
"I credit my affiliation as a member of Delta Sigma Theta with shaping the beginnings of my drive towards public service and empowering the Black community. All of that originated on the campus of Utica College. The bond with my sorority sisters, a group of women of achievement, rooted in faith, is like no other. It has welcomed me in new cities and situations where I didn't know a soul and I have been honored to do the same."
Lael Pierce - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Lael Pierce was raised in Yonkers, NY, a suburb just outside of New York City. She attended Utica College where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Management in December 2011. Throughout her undergraduate years, she was actively involved in the Student Senate, Black Student Union and the Prestige Step Team. Her career in higher education began right here at UC in the Admissions Office, where she was responsible for the recruitment of New York City students. She continued on as an Academic Coach, Student Services Director, and Access Advisor for various institutions, leading students beyond their personal and academic challenges, and into success. Currently she serves as a Program Coordinator in the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs at Syracuse University.
Lael is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She is the President of the Kappa Xi Zeta Chapter in Syracuse, NY and serves as the Secretary for Zeta NYS Executive Board. She aims to instill in others the historical and educational significance of Greek organizations and encourage members to leave a positive, impactful legacy.
Rev. Dr. Ann Marie Bentsi-Addison - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Rev. Dr. Ann Marie Bentsi-Addison, UC class of ‘88 became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho, Summer 1987, Theta Tau Chapter, Syracuse University. She is also an RN, CNS, CNM, MSN, M. Div, D. Min and Pastor: Union African Methodist Episcopal church in Warwick, NY, Assistant Director Women's Health. Practicing midwife. Called to the mind, body and spirit service of women. Truly "with women" throughout their reproductive journey.
Geovanny Cuevas - Phi Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Geovanny Cuevas '05 became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc in the Spring of 2002. A political science major, he currently works in the financial services industry and resides in New York City.
Dr. Tracy L.F. Worley - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Dr. Tracy L.F. Worley, PMP, is a scholar and educator, writer, researcher, project manager, and independent motion picture producer. She was initiated in 1985 and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Over the last 35 years, she has held numerous elected and appointed positions at the local, regional, and national levels. Dr. Worley most recently spent 6 years as a member of the National Document Review and Management Committee and she continues to serve as a committee chair for the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.
Dr. Worley teaches composition and research in the University System of Maryland and project management for DeVry University. Dr. Worley graduated from Utica College in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She has Masters Certificates in Project and Program Management and degrees from Howard University (MFA), and the University of Phoenix (DM).
Qualena Odom-Royes - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
EventEssentials’ Principal Event Planner and owner is Qualena Odom-Royes, MBA, CSEP, CMP, CDMP. Mrs. Odom-Royes has more than 25 years of experience in strategic event and meeting planning. Accredited from The University of Georgia in Conference Planning and Meeting Management, she also holds the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designations and recently earned the Virtual and Live Event Meeting Manager and Pandemic Onsite Protocol certifications.
Recognizing her talent for detailed organization and the need for a company that could plan meetings and events from start to finish with an emphasis on return on investment, Mrs. Odom-Royes opened EventEssentials twenty years ago. Since that time, the award-winning company has provided conference planning and meeting management services to organizations in a variety of industries. EventEssentials’ past and current clients include AT&T, BronzeLens Film Festival, Cox Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Supplier Minority Development Council (GMSDC), Piedmont Hospital, Manheim, Scholastic, The King Center, T-Mobile and Taste of Atlanta.
EventEssentials is a certified minority business enterprise by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and was named the 2011 & 2020 Class 1 Supplier of the Year for GMSDC as well as earned the 2012 GMSDC Eagle Award recognizing their extensive partnerships with other minority business enterprises. In 2017 Mrs. Odom-Royes was recognized and honored by Senior Planners Independent Network (SPIN) as one of the top 40 over 40 Meeting Professionals in the US. Most recently, Mrs. Odom-Royes was celebrated as an “event industry game-changer by BizBash when they named her one of the top 500 People In Events. This inaugural list of event professionals from the United States and Canada includes people who lead the largest trade and consumer shows, orchestrate global brand campaigns, and plan high-visibility cultural events that have everyone talking on social media.
Mrs. Odom-Royes was initiated into the Iota Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Spring 1992. She is a Life Member with more than 28 years serving in leadership roles in three chapters, two states and three regions. Mrs. Odom-Royes has served on the Boule Steering Committee for the largest Boule to date in 2016. Currently she is the Vice President and Program Chairman for the Lambda Epsilon Omega Chapter in the Significant South Atlantic Region where she was just awarded Soror of the Year, Officer of the Year and Spirit of AKA-LEO in December 2020.
Follow Mrs. Odom-Royes on Instagram @profQ_eventessentials.