Greek life is an important part of Black culture and history and it's origins can be traced back to the early 1900's. Greek life represents another form of community for people within Black culture and serves as a support system and close family. Much like every other aspect of life, television shows have always represented individual components of people's way of life. Black characters on television shows and greek life are no different. Television shows, especially those in the 90's made sure to give some form of greek life representation to their characters. Whether the organization was real or fictional, the representation was there.
Character: Whitley Gilbert
Show: A Different World
Sorority: Alpha Delta Rho
Whitley was a member of the fictional sorority, Alpha Delta Rho. In season 4 of A Different World, Whitley has the privilege to pledge a new class of girls into the sorority, one of those pledges includes Whitley's bestfriend Kim. Whitley learns the true meaning of sisterhood with the help of kim.
Character: Frank Mitchell
Show: Moesha
Fraternity: Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc.
Frank Mitchell was a loud and proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi and pledged when he was an undergrad at Southern University.
Character: Gina Waters
Show: Martin
Sorority: Unknown
When Gina's friend, Monique, a 'motivational speaker' comes to visit, she is introduced as Gina's homegirl from college as well as her sorority sister. They never confirm what sorority they were a part of, but after catching on to Monique kiniving ways, Pam and Martin come up with a plan to get back at her
Character: Ron Johnson
Show: A Different World
Fraternity: Kappa Lambda Nu
Ron Johnson started his journey as a member of the fictional Kappa Lambda Nu fraternity with his best friend Dwayne when they were sophomores in college. Dwayne ultimately decided that greek life wasn't for him, but Ron continued on. He became a lifelong and productive member of the fraternity doing everything from hosting parties to giving back.
Character(s): Molly Carter and Tiffany Dubois
Show: Insecure
Sorority: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.
Molly and Tiffany both joined the real Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority while they were undergrad together at Stanford University. Tiffany's husband, Derek, is a member of a D9 organization as well.
Character: Jordan Bennett
Show: Sister, Sister
Fraternity: Gamma Psi
After recieving his first by-line in the school paper, Jordan decides to go undercover and pledge a fratenity to write a story about the hazing that goes on within it. While pledging, he sees what fraternity life is actually about and decides that he truly wants to be a part of the organization.
Character: Rickey Smiley
Show: The Rickey Smiley Show
Fraternity: Omega Psi Phi, Inc.
The Rickey Smiley Show ran on TV One for 3 seasons and starred Rickey Smiley as himself. On the series, he plays himself as a member of the real life D9 organization, Omega Psi Phi, a group in which Smiley belongs to in real life.
Character: Derek Dubois
Show: Insecure
Fraternity: Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc.
Wade Allain-Marcus plays Derek Dubios on the hit HBO series, Insecure. Derek is a member of the real Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. His wife Tiffny is an AKA.
Character: Robert Peterson
Show: The 'Parent Hood
Fraternity: Omega Psi Phi, Inc.
Robert Townsend played the role of Robert Peterson on The WB series, The 'Parent Hood. Not only is Townsend's character a fictional member of Omega Psi Phi, he's also a graduate of Morehouse College.
Character(s): Will Smith and Carlton Banks
Show: The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
Fraternity: Phi Beta Gamma
Will and Carlton both decided to pledge a Black fraternity together while they were students at ULA. Once Carlton realized he was subjected to harsher tasks than his line brothers, he stood up for himself.
Character: Ray Campbell
Show: Sister, Sister
Fraternity: Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc.
Actor Tim Reid played Ray Campbell on Sister, Sister from 1994 - 1999. In real life, Reid is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha and when Tia was at a crossroads between picking a sorority, he showed up and showed out for his AKA sisters while rocking his black and gold.
Character: Philip Banks
Show: Bel-Air
Fraternity: Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc.
Bel-Air is Peacock's newest breakout series and features a re-imagined cast from it's predecessor, The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. In this re-imagination, Philip Banks is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. In the orginal Fresh Prince, Uncle Phil was a member of the fictional fraternity Pi Nu.
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