Chi Sigma Chapter was first chartered to serve the state of New Jersey in 1923. The chapter thrived until the death of its President, the late Dr. Longshore, in 1936. Enthusiasm faltered following World War II and Chi Sigma Chapter soon became inactive. In 1973, determined that Phi Beta Sigma was needed, Brothers William Howard and Alonzo C. Jackson scheduled a meeting with several inactive members in the area to discuss the rebirth of Chi Sigma Chapter. The participants voted on re-charting. A re-charting ceremony was scheduled and performed by Brother Eugene Whitlock (NY_NJ Area Director.)

Reactivation Charter Members:
Bro. Paul A. Cash, Esq. , Bro. Alonzo C. Jackson*, Bro. William Howard, Bro. Jerry Edwards, Bro. John Rice*

Brother Howard became the first post reactivation President and Chi Sigma immediately began to serve the community. Needing finances to support an Educational Program, the first “Chi Sigma Dance” was held in November at the Holiday Inn (now Royal Inn) in East Orange, New Jersey. Attended by approximately 125 guests, the event was successful and the chapter decided this would be an annual event. After the passing of Brother Rice in 1982, the chapter unanimously voted to dedicate its Scholarship Ball in his memory. Our efforts have enabled us to give over $70,000 in Scholarships to deserving young men, in Northern New Jersey, toward the pursuit of a college education.

Through the efforts of Chi Sigma the first collegiate chapter in Northern New Jersey was formed at Montclair State College. Since then ten other collegiate chapters and three graduate chapters were chartered.

In 1993, Chi Sigma Chapter saw its first member to be inducted into the Distinguished Service Chapter as Brother Alonso C. Jackson received the honor at the National Conclave in Raleigh, N.C. earlier in the year Bro. Jackson also received the Eastern Region Prominent Brother Service (PBS) Award. The spring of 1994 marked another milestone in Chi Sigma’s history. The Chapter received its non-profit Certificate of Incorporation in order to better serve the community thus becoming what is now known as SCEI (Sigma’s Community Enrichment Initiative). Also, the chapter received regional honors for its Education, Social Action programs, Chapter Report and Sigma Beta Club. Our president, Brother David M. Samuel, MD was elected Easter Regional Secretary and Bro. Bernard Hamilton was reelected as Eastern Regional Director of Bigger & Better Business. Also, Bro. Anthony B. Manners was reappointed as New Jersey Area Director.

1995 was a banner year as the chapter received both Regional and National honors for its Chapter Report, Educational Program and Best Sigma Beta Club at the 81st Anniversary National Conclave held in Washington, DC. Personal awards were given to Bro. Kevin West – A. Phillip Randolph Social Action Award, Bro. Dr. David M. Samuel – Elected Regional Officer of The Year, Bro. Marc C. Riley – Appointed Regional Officer of The Year, and Bro. Bernard Hamilton – Prominent Brother of Service Award. Bro. Dr. David Samuel was reelected as Eastern Regional Secretary and Bro. Anthony Manners was elected as Eastern Regional Director of Bigger & Better Business. Bro. Larry A. Mungin was appointed New Jersey Area Director.

In 1996, Chi Sigma hosted the 82nd Anniversary Eastern Regional Conference at the Meadowlands Hilton Hotel in Secaucus, New Jersey. The opening ceremony was one of the best this region had ever experienced. The Irvington High School Gospel Choir’s performance was received with rousing applause. Along with the Conference Blue & White Ball, it was a real crowning jewel for the Chapter in 1996. Chi Sigma won four awards including Best Chapter Report of the Eastern Region and Bro.Dr. David M. Samuel was awarded the PBS Award.

The habit of hard work and success continued in 1997 for Chi Sigma Chapter. The chapter played a highly prominent role in organizing a well-received three-month long exhibition on black fraternities and sororities entitled: Stepping Into the Future Through Service at the Newark Public Library. Our Sigma Beta Club continued to be the best in the nation for an unprecedented sixth consecutive year and our Social Action Program was again recognized as the best in the Eastern Region. The year culminated with our annual John Rice Memorial Scholarship Ball held at the Shearton Hotel in Newark, New Jersey. Attended by 482 guests, this was the largest scholarship event in the chapter’s history. Brother Nigel Coelho then attending Seton Hall University (Alpha Nu Alpha Chapter) became the Associate Regional Director. Brother Marc Riley represented Chi Sigma as a contributing member of the Crescent Magazine and Brother David M. Samuel, MD was recognized in The Crescent Magazine as one of 10 future leaders of Phi Beta Sigma. During 1998, our 75th Anniversary Year, Chi Sigma Chapter continued to move the cause of “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity” as we moved closer to the new millennium, once again earning honors for Best Regional Chapter Report, Social Action Program and Bigger and Better Business Program. Brother Hassell received the PBS Award. Brother David Samuel became Regional Director of Publicity and Brother Nigel Coelho remained the Associate Regional Director. Brothers Larry Mungin and Alonzo Jackson were Regional auditors and Brother John Talton was appointed National Auditor of the Fraternity.

Closing out the century, in 1999, Chi Sigma continued to move forward as Brother Larry Mungin was elected as Regional Treasurer. A proud moment occurred at the National Conclave in Dallas, Texas when Brother Louis D. Hassell was bestowed the honor of becoming the second member of Chi Sigma to receive his Distinguished Service Chapter Key.

As we moved into the New Millennium, Chi Sigma continued to work to make a difference in the community and in Sigma. Our members continued to remain in the forefront in the world of Phi Beta Sigma. Each year our Sigma Beta Club continues to receive local and national recognition for its outstanding programs and service to the community. The members of our Sigma Beta Club continues to have a very high success rate of graduation and matriculation into college. At the Regional Conference 2000, Chi Sigma had four members on the Eastern Regional Board: Brother Samuel-Vice Director, Brother Mungin-Treasurer, Brother Coelho-Secretary and Brother Cedric Ashley-Legal Counsel. Brother Daniel J. Fox, was appointed Regional Legal Counsel in 2002. Several members of the chapter have received the regions PBS Award in this New Millennium; Brothers Henry Scott, Larry Mungin and Daniel Fox. In 2005, Chi Sigma had another member of our chapter join the Distinguished Service Chapter, Brother Kevin West, making him our third chapter member of this illustrious group of outstanding Sigmas.

*Deceased