Tyriq Withers and Other Prominent Members of Alpha Phi Alpha

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter organization established for African American men, celebrates 119 years of scholarship, leadership, and service. Founded in 1906, the fraternity continues to play a vital role in communities nationwide, emphasizing achievement, integrity, and the uplifting of humanity.

Tim Reid

Tim Reid, renowned for his role as Ray Campbell on ABC's sitcom Sister, Sister, has enjoyed a nearly five-decade career in entertainment. A Norfolk, Virginia native, Reid earned a business degree from North State University in 1968 and later received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Norfolk State University in 1996. He began his professional life in marketing at DuPont before discovering his passion for show business.

Reid's career took off with the interracial comedy duo Tim and Tom alongside Tom Dreesen. He has appeared on shows including The Richard Pryor Show, Simon & Simon, and Franks Place, and is celebrated for his portrayal of DJ Venus Flytrap on WKRP in Cincinnati. Reid also made history as Ray Campbell on Sister, Sister, which aired from 1994 to 1999.

Beyond acting, Reid directed projects such as Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored and the childrens series Bobobobs. In 1997, he co-founded New Millennium Studios in Petersburg, Virginia, the first Black-owned studio since the 1930s, which produced projects including parts of Steven Spielberg's Lincoln. Reid joined the Eta Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in 2010.

Adrian Holmes

Adrian Holmes plays the reimagined role of Philip Banks in Bel-Air. Previously, Holmes gained recognition for his work on Smallville, True Justice, Arrow, and the acclaimed series 19-2. He has also appeared in films like Like Mike 2: Streetball, Red Riding Hood, and Elysium.

Holmes described his experience on Bel-Air as akin to joining the fraternity itself, having many Alpha Phi Alpha members on set. He became a member of the Tau Epsilon Lambda chapter in June.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights pioneer and advocate for justice, was initiated into the Sigma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in 1952. He entered Morehouse College at 15, earned a sociology degree, and later received a Bachelor of Divinity from Crozer Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Boston University.

King's leadership in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the 1963 March on Washington helped shape the civil rights movement, culminating in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He continued to advocate for equality until his assassination in 1968, leaving a lasting legacy.

Tyriq Withers

Rising actor Tyriq Withers has captured attention with his role in Justin Tippings supernatural horror film Him, starring alongside Marlon Wayans. A former Florida State Seminoles wide receiver, Withers graduated in 2020 with degrees in business and marketing.

Withers breakout role came as Aaron in Atlanta, followed by appearances in The Game, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and the upcoming 2026 release Reminders of Him. He joined the Iota Delta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in Spring 2018.

Darryl M. Bell

Darryl M. Bell is best known for portraying Ron Johnson on A Different World, a character that captured the charm and wit of campus life at Hillman College. Bell debuted in Spike Lees School Daze and has become an influential figure for HBCU representation in media.

Bell will reprise his iconic role in the upcoming A Different World reboot on Netflix. He was initiated into the Delta Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in Spring 1982.

Author's Commentary: Alpha Phi Alpha's Enduring Influence in Culture and Leadership

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. marks 119 years of sustained impact, bridging scholarship, leadership, and community service. Its legacy is reflected not only in historic figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. but also in contemporary cultural icons such as Tim Reid, Adrian Holmes, Tyriq Withers, and Darryl M. Bell, all of whom demonstrate the fraternity’s ongoing influence in arts, entertainment, and civil engagement.

Tim Reid’s career exemplifies how Alpha Phi Alpha members leverage professional success to support community and cultural development. From pioneering film projects to mentoring younger talent, Reid illustrates the fraternity's ethos of achievement combined with service. Similarly, Adrian Holmes and Tyriq Withers bring visibility to Alpha Phi Alpha through modern media platforms, reinforcing the fraternity’s relevance for new generations.

Meanwhile, Darryl M. Bell continues to connect HBCU culture with mainstream entertainment, highlighting Alpha Phi Alpha’s role in representing African American academic and social excellence. The fraternity’s ability to inspire leadership across decades demonstrates that its mission extends beyond collegiate life into lasting societal influence.

Alpha Phi Alpha’s legacy is therefore both historical and contemporary, a testament to the enduring values of integrity, achievement, and uplift that have guided its members for over a century.

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• Tyriq Withers & Other Notable Members of Alpha Phi Alpha