Daphne Maxwell Reid
Originally from New York, Daphne Maxwell (BA’70) was recruited to Northwestern University through the federal academic enrichment program Upward Bound. She enrolled at Northwestern in 1966 to study Architecture and Interior Design with career aspirations of being an interior and fashion designer. While a student she was a representative on the Student Senate, a performer in the Waa-Mu variety show, and a model, appearing in magazine ads.
Her modeling career showed great potential when in 1967 she was featured in a Seventeen magazine ad. Her roommate used this photo to nominate Maxwell-Reid for Homecoming Queen, for which she was selected as a nominee. In preparation for the big day, Maxwell-Reid sewed her own gown, a skill she had since the age of 11, three hours the night before the Homecoming ceremony. Much to her surprise, Maxwell was elected Homecoming Queen. It was a historic moment as she was the first Black homecoming queen at Northwestern and part of a national trend that year as noted by the press. Despite the historic occasion, Maxwell did not receive the congratulatory response one would expect a homecoming queen to receive.
After college, she focused on her modeling career, even making history again as the first Black woman on the cover of Glamour magazine. She also broadened her career to pursue acting which included off-Broadway performances, TV commercials, TV shows, and a music video. Daphne Maxwell Reid is best known as Aunt Vivian from the hit comedy, “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.“ Her forty-year acting career is still vital with roles on many new television programs including starring and guest-starring roles on TV and in film: The Duke, Simon and Simon, Frank’s Place, Snoops, Jacqueline & Jilly, Harriet, The Business of Christmas I & II, Trophy Wife, Bel Air, and Fantasy Island.
Presently serving on the following boards, Maxwell-Reid’s involvement in the community at large rounds out a full schedule: the Richmond Ballet Board and ChildFund International Board.
Daphne Maxwell Reid is an avid photographer of DOORS from around the world and is exhibiting and selling her collection entitled “Daphne Maxwell Reid’s Fresh Prints®” at speaking engagements and art gatherings. Four beautifully published books of her photographs, “DOORS,” “Opening Closed Doors: Cuba 2015,” “Belgium: Doors Old & New,” and “France” (accounts of her worldwide journeys to capture the portals), are available on her website. Also available on the website, “Grace, Soul & Motherwit: A Cookbook Spiced with Personal Memories.” She has taken her international door photos and created a fabric from which she makes a limited edition of her beautifully lined tote bags. Daphne collaborated with Stacy Hawkins Adams, a Richmond author of wonderful books, to create a note card collection of Daphne’s photos and Stacy’s thoughtful messages.
In keeping with her desire to express all facets of her creativity, Daphne has launched her custom-made, wearable art collection: Chinese silk brocade “toppers” called Daphne Style. She has also created a collection of face masks with removable HEPA filters. Yes, she custom makes them all herself.