Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Eta Nu Sigma Chapter Brooklyn Alumnae
Notable Sorors of Eta Nu Sigma
Take a look at the Women of Eta Nu Sigma making moves within the community.
Soror Carlotta Pope
Why is Soror Pope so Great?
Over 200 educators from across New York City in collaboration with Educators for Excellence-New York hosted a town-hall style event with New York City Department of Education Chancellor Richard Carranza about the needed change within our educational system. Chancellor Carranza humbly met with educators about his vision for NYC public schools and his intended initiatives to desegregate schools under his leadership. The evening started with an intimate brief private “Q & A” session with leaders where the Chancellor gave insight on how he hopes to achieve change. E4E-New York Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Evan Stone, gave opening words while introducing Chancellor Carranza who Evan Stone, Educators for Excellence Co-Founder and Co-CEO, introducing Chancellor Carranza and two teacher leaders and moderators for the evening, Dan Gannon and Carlotta Pope. The conversation focused around the topic of equity and desegregation while also addressing questions submitted by educators from NYC before and during the evening. The evening was filled with remarkable moments as individuals from across NYC gathered for the one common goal of uplifting the voice of educators on the issues that are most impactful to them. Carlotta Pope was also recently nominated to be a recipient of the NYC Big Apple recognition award where she will sit on a lead teacher advisory board for NYC department of education.
Soror Dana Caraballo
Why is Soror Caraballo so Great?
Dana Caraballo is a certified rehabilitation counselor and licensed mental health counselor. She started her career by working for Project Outreach in Richmond Hill, Queens, NY, an organization that inspired adolescents, adults, and families to achieve unlimited potential through high-quality, evidence-based substance abuse treatment and Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) training programs. Dana was nominated this past Fall for the Julio Martinez Scholarship in which she received. Dana earlier years began as she interned at Project Outreach and was later offered a part-time position as a vocational counselor. Three months later, she was offered a full-time position as a primary mental health counselor at Outreach House, a three to nine-month residential therapeutic community with a six-month aftercare program attached for adolescents 12-18 years old. Dana quickly demonstrated her ability to take on leadership roles and implement new ideas into the program. Within her first year, she received the Agency Gold Star, an award that recognizes employees who demonstrate a willingness to go above and beyond, offering support and guidance to those around them while remaining positive despite challenges.
Soror Nashira Layde
Why is Soror Layde so Great?
Nashira Washington Layade is SVP, Chief Information Security Officer for Realogy Holdings Corp. The company elevated the CISO role to an SVP level when Layade arrived. She has a team of 33. Five of them are women that are responsible for the information security and privacy of 12,000 employees and 55,000+ agents. This year they became a sponsor of the Executive Women's Forum. Nashira is very vocal with both her team and HR about the interest in hiring from a diverse candidate base, with a specific emphasis on women. She is all about encouraging women, supporting them, and pushing them to reach their maximum potential and beyond. Regulatory and technology perspectives are strengths of Nashira’s. In her opinion, being a CISO is all about risk management. The board is expecting her to manage cyber and information risk. It is important for Nashira to be seen as a partner to the business. Often, security is the voice of "No," which is the roadblock. She takes the time to listen before she acts.
Soror Boyce
Why is Soror Boyce so Great?
Roshawn Boyce was featured in John Jay’s College of Criminal Justice highlighting her passion for social activism. Roshawn a 1995 graduated shined her light on being a natural born advocate. During her time spent at John Jay, Roshawn protested against budget cuts and tuition hikes. Roshawn has also took part in student sit-ins and marches down 59th Street. She credits the experience with kicking her advocacy gene into high gear. John Jay is where she discovered her passion for social justice. It’s where she learned that you have to fight for what’s right.”
Roshawn currently works in Human Resources for the New York City Department of Education and while that takes up much of her time, Roshawn still finds ways to advocate on behalf of others.
Serving as a Member-at-Large at the NAACP’s Brooklyn branch, Boyce has helped train the group’s youngest members—teaching them how to engage with communities, and run their elections, committees, and education programs. She also had an integral role in mobilizing NAACP members after the death of Trayvon Martin.
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Soror Amoy Barnes
Why is Soror Barnes so Great?
Amoy Barnes is running for Staten Island City Council in 2021.
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Amoy Barnes said she plans to campaign on bringing more “equity” to the North Shore, focusing on fixing its challenged infrastructure, addressing job development, improving schools, and providing the district with more transportation alternatives, such as a network of fast ferries.
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Amoy currently works for the city Department of Education, running a center that promotes college access and professional development for students with delayed learning skills and disabilities. She says her work for the mayor’s office has already shown she can deliver for Staten Island and its residents on the issues that matter to them. “My role was to know the politics and to know the people,” said Barnes, who immigrated from Jamaica to Tompkinsville with her mom when she was 4 years old. Amoy Barnes previously served as Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Staten Island community affairs liaison.
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Soror Dr. Allison David
Why is Soror David so Great?
Dr. Allison David is a Board-Certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist currently working at Maimonides Medical Center. Dr. David is the Associate Residency Program Director and Assistant Simulation Director for the OB/GYN department. She also functions as both a faculty and private provider, working alongside a host of skilled and amazing residents and mid-level practitioners. She gives comprehensive and sensitive care to the women of Brooklyn, NY.
Soror Dr. Vivian J. Bea
Why is Soror Dr. Bea so Great?
Soror Dr. Vivian J. Bea, a board-certified breast surgical oncologist, is the section chief of breast surgical oncology at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. She also serves as assistant professor of surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine. She is a breast disparities researcher, educator, community outreach leader, entrepreneur, and best-selling children's book author.
Recognized as a rising star and top physician in her field, Dr. Bea is the founder of G.L.O.S.S. (Girls Loving Ourselves Successfully), a program focused on mentoring middle and high school girls. She is also a proud member of the Eta Nu Sigma Chapter and has lent her assistance to Breast Cancer Awareness programs, among other topics of interest. Understanding the importance of representation and diversity in books, she founded the Chocolate Kid Chronicles, publishing her first children's book in the series, an Amazon Best Seller, "Please Don't Touch My Magical Hair." Dr. Bea believes that #BlackBreastsMatter, and has continued to lend her voice to raise public awareness about Breast Cancer.
Soror Camille Joseph Varlack, Esq.
Why is Soror Varlack so Great?
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Camille Joseph Varlack, Esq. is a partner and the chief operating officer of Bradford Edwards & Varlack LLP, where she leads the firm’s risk and crisis management practice. Ms. Varlack is a former Assistant District Attorney in Kings County, served as principal court attorney to a New York State Supreme Court Justice as well as Special Counsel for Ethics, Risk and Compliance to the Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services.
Soror Varlack served under NYS Governor Cuomo as Deputy Director of State Operations, Chief Risk Officer and Special Counsel. In that capacity, she managed the operations, general policy development and implementation of major policy initiatives for NYS agencies and authorities. Ms. Varlack was in charge of leading teams through statewide crises including natural disasters, storm response, potential terrorist activities and cyber attacks, as well as responding to a multitude of public health crises.
Most of Soror Varlack’s free time over the past twenty years has been spent mentoring and performing community service through a variety of organizations, including, but not limited to, her past service as a member of the Board of Managers of the Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA. Soror Joseph Varlack is a life member and ruby member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She has held various executive board and leadership positions in the Eta Nu Sigma Chapter in Brooklyn, NY. Soror Varlack also serves as the Chair of the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics, and is a Trustee of the State University of New York.
Soror Dr. Christina Guillen
Why is Soror Dr. Guillen so Great?
Dr. Christina Guillén, the former Northeastern Region Programs Coordinator and March of Dimes Liaison, was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Founded in 1902. Alpha Omega Alpha members are physicians who exhibit the highest levels of character, trust, trustworthiness, leadership, professionalism, scholarship, and community service.
Dr. Guillén, a member of the Eta Nu Sigma Chapter in Brooklyn, NY, is an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. She serves as the Program Director for the Pediatric Residency Program and Director of Community Pediatrics. In 2020 she was appointed as the first Designated Institutional Official for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Graduate Medical Education Institution. In 2021 she became a Harvard Macy Institute Scholar with her scholarly work and research focusing on creating a health disparities curriculum for medical students and training physicians at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.
Soror Milan Staples
Why is Soror Staples so Great?
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Milan Staples is a member of Eta Nu Sigma Alumnae Chapter in Brooklyn, New York, where she serves as the chapter's signature Golden Mother’s Day Scholarship Jazz Brunch chairperson. However, during this 'pandemic sorority year' she pivoted to chair the
fundraising campaign, since the brunch was cancelled. Soror Staples also serves on the membership, scholarship, and marketing committees in her chapter. She is a Diversity & Inclusion Program Manager at a tech
company, and the owner of her wellness business, Fly & Flourishing, offering energy healing services to the world and promoting holistic alternatives to stress relief. Fly &
Flourishing offers unconventional relaxation techniques, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, and healing. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, dancing, and live music performances.
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Soror Dr. Jaysree Roberts
Why is Soror Dr. Roberts so Great?
Dr. Jaysree Roberts, a New York-based licensed Clinical Psychologist who works primarily with children, adolescents, young adults, and families, was one of the keynote panelists at Black Health Matters: The Close The Gap Virtual Summit.
Dr. Roberts, a member of the Eta Nu Sigma Chapter, appeared on the panel with Alicia Henderson, PhD and Al-Tariq Best, CEO of the HUBB Arts and Trauma Center. The panel, entitled COVID-19 & Factors Related To Mental Health in the African-American Community, was co-sponsored by the National Pan-Hellenic Council of New York City.
Dr. Roberts earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Maryland, College Park before going on to earn her master’s degree and doctoral degree at the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies at Adelphi University. She specializes in the treatment of mood and behavioral disturbances in children and adolescents.
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Soror Cynthia Horner-Harris
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Soror Cynthia Horner-Harris, professionally known as Cynthia Horner, received multiple awards during the summer of 2021 for her exemplary service in a myriad of ways.
On Juneteenth in Teaneck, NJ, she received multiple citations and awards from The Bergen County Sheriff's Department, The Board of Supervisors, The Bergen County NAACP, and U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer for her "leadership, activism and community service."
Furthermore, The National Pan-Hellenic Council of New York City honored her with the Donette E. Poe Outstanding Executive Board Member for her service to the Council. Throughout 2021, she spearheaded numerous virtual programs, including the webinar "American Skin: A Conversation About the Impact of Police Brutality On Our Community," which featured such talent as "Power" star Omari Hardwick and "How To Get Away With Murder" co-star Milauna Jackson. Under her leadership, the Council also participated in the virtual summit Black Health Matters and sponsored several voter initiatives with the New York City Mayor's office.
A newly inducted Ruby, she has been an active member in the sorority since 1991 following several years of Honorary Membership. Currently, Soror Horner is the CEO/Publisher/Editor of Right On! and Word Up! Magazines. She is one of the founding editors of Hip Hop Weekly Magazine and has overseen the editorial teams for more than a dozen newsstand magazines. She also owns Cinnamon CHIPS, a boutique public relations agency representing non-profit organizations and literary and entertainment clients.
Soror Horner is a member of the Eta Nu Sigma Chapter, where she serves on the public relations committee. She is the current Historian and Social Action Chair for the National Pan-Hellenic Council of New York City, Inc.
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Why is Soror Horner-Harris so Great?
Soror Okema T. Moore
Why is Soror Moore so Great?
Okema T. Moore is an Emmy Nominated, PGA producer and rising director. She has produced and/or directed projects ranging from the narrative 2019 ABFF winner Little Apple- to branded content for Lifetime, Netflix, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, FOX, BET and DOVE. She is an alum of the Tribeca Film Festival and has a Telly and Webby Award for 2021. Okema has also produced shows for the Food Network, TLC, BET and OWN. Most recently she produced a new follow-doc series dropping on BET this fall, was the showrunner for BRIC TV’s first late-night talk show, and Creative Produced/ Directed most of this year’s CultureCon@ Home 2021, which was virtually attended by over 20k participants. She also produced - during the pandemic – the PBS/American Masters docuseries Unladylike2020. She was one of five chosen Fellows Minority in FILM’s inaugural Branded Lab for commercial and branded directors and helps run the Black TV & Film Collective’s Black Producer Fellowship. Okema also serves as the chair of the programming committee for the Black TV & Film Collective Board of Directors and is a newly elected member of the Board of Directors for NY Women in Film & TV.
Soror Mera Beckford
Why is Soror Beckford so Great?
Mera E. Beckford is a passionate and results-oriented risk management professional with over 10 years of experience. She currently serves as the Director of Risk Management for Yeshiva University in New York. She is responsible for enterprise risk management, purchasing insurance, claims management, contract review, certificates of insurance, and training.
Previously, Soror Beckford served as Senior Insurance Manager for STO Holdings, Inc. and Assistant Treasurer for their captive insurer, Stone Risk. There, she focused on Wrap-Up Insurance programs, risk management information system (RMIS) management, and captive development. Her career also includes positions with AIG and Liberty Mutual.
In addition to being a risk manager, Soror Beckford, Life Member 1405, currently serves as the Tamiochus of Eta Nu Sigma, a centennial chapter in Brooklyn, NY, and as a member of the Northeastern Region Budget and Finance Committee. Prior to joining Eta Nu Sigma Chapter, Soror Beckford and four Sorors chartered Sigma Beta Chapter at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.
Soror Beckford is a graduate of Baruch College, where she earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA). She is also a Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS).
When she’s not working or serving Sigma, Soror Beckford enjoys baking, gardening, and traveling to warm places.