The History of Mu Zeta Lambda Chapter
Mu Zeta Lambda’s incipiency was in many ways commensurate with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s origin at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Mu Zeta Lambda official chartering was on October 7, 1975 and the two major proponents and catalysts of this movement were:
Lynwood Bell: Brother Lynwood L. Bell, Sr. of Lakeland, Florida, became a member of the fraternity in 1972 through Delta Beta Chapter at Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, FL. He is a 1974 graduate of Bethune-Cookman University where he earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in History/Political Science.
As a member of Mu Zeta Lambda Chapter, Bell has served as Chapter President, Treasurer, Intake Coordinator, Historian, Director of Educational Activities, and Director of Men of Tomorrow Institute.
Lynwood and his wife Linda are the parents of Lyndia and Lynwood, II. Brother Bell is the Assistant Manager of Leadership Development for State Farm Insurance where he has been employed for a number of years. The Bells are members of Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church in Lakeland.
Phillip Walker: Brother Phillip Walker of Lakeland, Florida, became a member of the fraternity in 1973 through the Iota Chapter at Morris Brown College Atlanta, Ga. He holds a B.A. from Morris Brown College, and a Masters from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fl. Mr. Walker currently serves as an elder at Christ Community Christian Center Church in Lakeland.
Brother Walker’s first wife tragically passed away very early on of cancer and he was left alone to raise their two daughters, Janelle and Jaela as a single father for years. Prior to his first wife’s demise, they raised two other boys, Tony Williams and John Hall, who they met at church and made a part of the Walker Family. Phillip remarried to his present wife, Cappie, a local school teacher, and they have a son, Christian.
Brother Walker has served in many different capacities within the Mu Zeta Lambda Chapter and still remains very active. Phillip Walker is an Agency Principal/Owner of an Allstate Insurance Agency for a number of years.
Brothers Lynwood Bell and Phillip Walker reached out and influenced others, while growing the Mu Zeta Lambda with the following chartering brothers:
William Balloon, William O. Bunch, D.D.S., Frank Conoly (deceased by chartering date)
Green P. Hankerson, Rudolph Holloman, Walter A. Lamar, Jr., Reginald Ligon, D.D.S.
Charles McGriff, Hugh R. Mills, William Starks, David Stephens, James Thomas, III
Joshua Williams, D.D.S., J. A. Wiltshire, M.D. (deceased).