Iconic ‘A Different World’ Cast Reuniting For National HBCU Tour
The cast of A Different World is getting back together. The cast of the legendary NBC sitcom is reuniting for a national 10-city tour of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in celebration of the show’s 35-year legacy.
The organizers of the tour say that the tour mission goes beyond nostalgia. “We’re on a quest to raise awareness and enrollment for HBCUs nationwide. By leveraging the star power and cultural impact of A Different World, we aim to inspire a new generation to choose HBCUs as their academic homes,” they said in a statement.
Participation in the tour will help raise scholarship funds, “ensuring that more students can access the transformative experience of HBCUs.”
Who’s participating in the tour?
According to the tour website, Darryl M. Bell (Ronald ‘Ron’ Johnson), Charnele Brown (Kimberly ‘Kim’ Reese), Jasmine Guy (Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne), Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Cleophus Wayne), Dawnn Lewis (Jaleesa Vinson Taylor), Cree Summer (Winifred ‘Freddie’ Brooks), Glynn Turman (Col. Bradford ‘Brad’ Taylor) and Sinbad (Walter Oakes) will all participate in the tour. The tour will also feature panels and other events.
Producers Susan Fales and Debbie Allen will also be included in the tour.
The tour is set to begin on Feb. 29 in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Atlanta University Center. Its member institutions include Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.
A complete tour schedule will be announced soon. Other cities include Washington, DC (hosted by Howard University) and Montgomery, Alabama (hosted by Alabama State University and Tuskegee University), both in April.
People often say that the hit show is why they decided to attend HBCU. A Different World aired on NBC for six seasons, kicking off on September 24, 1987, and wrapping up on July 9, 1993. This show, a spin-off from The Cosby Show, was centered around Denise Huxtable (played by Lisa Bonet) and the students navigating life at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU in Virginia.
After the first season, Lisa Bonet, Marisa Tomei, and Loretta Devine waved goodbye to the show. But we still got to see future stars like Jada Pinkett Smith and Karen Malina White making their mark on the sitcom.
10 Black '90s Sitcoms to Stream Now
The 1990s had a plethora of sitcoms that celebrated the Black experience and launched several actors’ careers. A common theme that runs throughout all of the shows selected is family. Additionally, many of these series show the importance of a chosen family.
Shows like Living Single featured main characters living within the same building or across the street from one another. They created a community in which they take care of each other. While the main character’s family makes appearances on the show, their role is mostly used for context on the character’s development.
In a workplace sitcom like The Jamie Foxx Show, it is very relatable to everyday life. Let’s face it: We see our coworkers more than we see our families. The show can easily connect with that fact
but also how coworkers can be a lending ear to life’s problems as well as fostering a familial relationship.
A coming-of-age sitcom like Moesha shows how childhood and high school years play a pivotal role in our development of relationships inside and outside of the home. Specifically, in Moesha, the show explores how the loss of her mother affected her ability to accept her father’s new wife and ultimately changed the family dynamic she once had. Through her personal issues within herself, she is still managing how to navigate school, friendships, and romantic relationships.
Sibling relationships were also a common premise in the ’90s with shows like Sister, Sister and The Wayans Bros. While real-life siblings were used in the shows, their stark differences in character show that your closest confidant could be the person you share a parent with.
Now, with streaming available, you don’t have to wait for your favorite show to be played on late-night television. You can use your favorite app to relive all of your favorite moments from these hit shows.
Take a look at 10 Black 90s sitcoms you can stream now:
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel.
A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community.
She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.
