Top 10 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Members in Media Business, Arts

Filmmaker, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity member, Will Packer is blazing a trail of success in Hollywood (Photo Credit: Regal Media Group/Tim Wells).

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Members in the Media Spotlight

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. calls itself the light of the world.

And for many decades, their light proved to be a beacon of hope for the Black community with such members as Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall and Whitney Young.

That light also shines in the area of media and entertainment as well.

As a part of RegalMag.com’s five-part series, we will honor the top 10 members of Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma and Iota Phi Theta in media and the arts.

This installment is dedicated to the ice-cold brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Click the links to learn more about each Alpha.

Andra Fuller—Andra Fuller has always been comfortable in the spotlight.  The Houston native starred at wide receiver for the Baylor Bears in the late 1990s and early 2000s.  Now he stars on the small and big screen as an up-and-coming actor.  To date, his credits include the TV shows “Black Jesus,” “The Game” and “Here We Go Again.”

Christian Keyes—Actor, and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Christian Keyes is starting to make a mark for himself in Tinsletown.  He has starred in movies like “Black Coffee” and “The Man in 3B” as well as in TV shows like “Let’s Stay Together” and “Born Again Virgin.”  We will soon see more of Keyes as he has four films in post-production.

Benny Boom—Even if you are not a fan of music videos, every film fan in America will soon know this member of Alpha Phi Alpha.  Benny Boom is the filmmaker behind the new Tupac Shakur biopic “All Eyez on Me.”  Although he made his name directing hip-hop videos, he has other films under his belt as well like “Next Day Air” and the upcoming “Heaven Has No Fury.”

Hill Harper—Actor is too weak of a word to describe this member of Alpha Phi Alpha.  Hill Harper attended Harvard Law School with President Barack Obama.  He has written several bestselling books.  And he has also starred in hit movies like “Concussion” and “For Colored Girls.”

Kevin Powell—All fans of reality television should know the name Kevin Powell, an original cast member of MTV’s “The Real World.”  Like many reality stars aspire to do, Powell parlayed his time on camera into a great career (journalism) working for publications like VIBE magazine.  He even dabbled in acting, appearing in the “End of the Road” video by Boyz II Men.

Roland Martin—Houston has produced some prominent members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.  Like the aforementioned Fuller, Roland Martin’s name is blowing up on TV but in a different way.  The Texas A&M graduate began his career at the Houston Defender, but has parlayed that into gigs at Chicago Defender, BlackAmericaWeb.com, CNN, and “The Tom Joyner Morning Show.”  Now he is must-see television telling “our” stories on “News One Now.”

Omari Hardwick—Omari Hardwick was always a talented actor, but his role as Ghost on the TV show “Power” has elevated him into a star.  This Alpha has starred in such films as “Sparkle,” “For Colored Girls” and “Miracle at St. Anna.”  In the future, look out for Hardwick in “Shot Caller,” “Die Enormous” and “D is for Detroit.”

Will Packer—This Florida A&M graduate, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity member, has taken the crown from Tyler Perry and is now the king of Black movies.  Packer has teamed up with people like Kevin Hart, Beyoncé and Idris Elba and produced classics like “Think Like a Man,” “Ride Along” and “Obsessed.”  However, his major production debut “Trois” remains a cult classic, and guilty pleasure for many fans.

Keenan Ivory Wayans—This member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity started a dynasty for his family.  He often says if people do not see the type of projects they like on screen, then create those projects themselves.  His projects have included the groundbreaking sketch comedy “In Living Color” as well as films like “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka,” “The Five Heartbeats” and “A Lowdown Dirty Shame.”

Lionel Richie—Of all of the famous Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity members in media and the arts, the don dada has to be the Commodore, Mr. Lionel Richie.  The Tuskegee University alum has sold over 100 million records, won an Academy Award, five Grammys, one Golden Globe and 16 American Music Awards according to LionelRichie.com.