Brother Hughes was born on January 1, 1960 in Paterson, NJ. Bro. Hughes attended the public school system in Paterson, NJ. He graduated from Eastside High School in Paterson, NJ in 1978, the school that was made famous by the movie “Lean on Me” and its’ principal Joe Clark. He graduated from Rutgers University in 1984 with a BA Degree in History. He worked in the Banking Field for several years working his way up to the position of Assistant Bank Manager. He is currently employed as an Elementary School Teacher by the New Brunswick, NJ Board of Education, teaching Basic Skills (Grades 5-8) at McKinley Community School.

Brother Hughes started his Masonic career in January 1986 when he was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Progressive Lodge No. 17, F&AM, PHA, New Brunswick, NJ. Brother Hughes continues to be a very active member of the Fraternity.

His Prince Hall Masonic Affiliations are:
Past Worshipful Master of Progressive Lodge No. 17, F&AM, PHA (1995-1996)
Worthy Patron of Keturah Chapter No. 63 OES (2003-2005, 2006-2007, 2008-2009)
Past Worthy Patron of Progressive Chapter No. 30 OES (1996-1997)
Past Excellent High Priest of King David Chapter, Holy Royal Arch Masons (2000)
Most Worthy Joshua of Orpah Court No. 17, Heroines of Jericho (2004-2005)
Past Most Worthy Joshua of Orpah Court No. 17, Heroines of Jericho
Past District Grand Lecturer, Bethlehem Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho, State of NJ
Past Grand Trustee, Bethlehem Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho, State of NJ
Past Grand Court Director, Bethlehem Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho, State of NJ (2007-2008)
Grand Lecturer, Bethlehem Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho, State of NJ (2008-Present)
Past Thrice Illustrious Master of Zerubbabel Council No. 3, Royal & Select Masters
Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, Prince Hall Grand Council, Royal & Select Masters, State of NJ (2009-Present)
Grand Lecturer, Prince Hall Grand Council, Royal & Select Masters, State of NJ (2003-2009)
Past Royal Chief Advisor of Joppa Court No. 4, Ladies of the Circle of Perfection
Past Eminent Commander of Douglas Commandery No. 10, Knights Templar
Royal Chief Engineer, Salome Royal Court No. 7, Order of Cyrene, New Brunswick, NJ (2006-Present)
Past Royal Chief Engineer of Rose of Sharon Royal Court No. 4, Order of Cyrene,
Newark, NJ (2003-2006)
Deputy Prior-Daniel W. Frazier, Jr. Priory No. 5 Knights York Rite Cross of Honor (KYCH), PHA, State of New Jersey (2008-Present)
Past Commander in Chief of Ophir Consistory No. 48 AASR (1999)
Grand Inspector General of the 33rd Degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (William R. Greenwood, Sr. Class of 2000, Denver, CO)
Assistant Minister of State, Ophir Consistory No. 48, Valley of Trenton (2007-Present)
Past Illustrious Potentate of Khufu Temple No. 120 AEAONMS (2000)
Deputy Imperial Lecturer of the AEAONMS (2003-2008)
Imperial Outer Guard, Imperial Council AEAONMS (Elected August 2008-Present)
Past Most Eminent Grand Commander, Mount Calvary Grand Commandery, Knight Templar, Prince Hall Affiliation, State of New Jersey (2004-2005)
Past Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Most Excellent Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Holy Royal Arch Masons, State of New Jersey (2004-2006)
Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden, MWPHGL, F&AM, State of New Jersey (2003-2005)
Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden, MWPHGL, F&AM, State of New Jersey (2005-2007)
Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, MWPHGL, F&AM, State of New Jersey (2007-2009)
Installed as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the MWPHGL, F&AM, State of New Jersey on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.

His Other Fraternal Affiliations are:
Brother Hughes is a Past Exalted Ruler of Superior Lodge No. 215, Improved Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks of the World, and is currently serving as the Esteemed Lecturing Knight of Witherspoon Lodge No. 178 IBPOEW of Princeton, NJ.

He is also a member of the Knights of Pythians.

He is also a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and currently serves as the Vice-President of the Zeta Nu Lambda Alumni Chapter, Plainfield, NJ.

Brother Hughes is a member of the Antioch Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, of New Brunswick, NJ where Reverend Marion C. Hannah is the Pastor. He is married to the very lovely Past Matron Sister Cindy A. Powell-Hughes, and is the proud father of two Sons, Thomas R. Hughes II (Age 24), and Master Hezekiah Robeson Hughes (Age 4), and a Daughter, Olivia Jeanette Hughes (Age 2).

Brother Hughes has a simple motto by which he lives his life,
“If I can help someone along their way, then my living will not have been in vain!”