A Different World Cast Kicks Off Fall HBCU Tour at Bowie State

Cast Proud of Lasting Impact on HBCU Enrollment

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jonathan Saxon, jsaxon@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-3607

(BOWIE, Md.) – The iconic cast of A Different World, a groundbreaking TV sitcom, kicked off the second iteration of their HBCU campus tour at Bowie State University during Homecoming Week. 

The series, which ran on NBC from 1987–1993, was a spin-off from The Cosby Show, featuring the life of students at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU. 

Cast members Darryl M. Bell (Ronald 'Ron' Johnson), Charnele Brown (Kimberly 'Kim' Reese), Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Cleophus Wayne), Dawnn Lewis (Jaleesa Vinson Taylor), Cree Summer (Winifred 'Freddie' Brooks) and Glynn Turman (Col. Bradford 'Brad' Taylor) all spent the day on campus to connect with students and alumni to leverage the power of nostalgia to raise awareness of the importance of HBCUs.

“Young people are watching the show today that weren’t even born in the same decade as we originally shot it,” said Lewis. “That speaks to the relevance. It’s really humbling to be a part of something that has made that kind of a positive impact. It’s inspiring.” 

Professor Brandon Felder, director of the BSU Concert Choir that opened the show with their rendition of the A Different World theme song, said many students connected with the show during the pandemic and had a level of familiarity with what A Different World meant to HBCU culture.  

The show was consistently ranked first or second among Black viewers during most of its run and is often cited as the defining reason as to why many decided to attend an HBCU. 

“I’m astounded at the long reach this journey has had,” added Turman. “I’ve been in the business a long time; I was astounded that this particular show has had the life that it has had. I’ve met people across the world, and they explain how their life has changed because of what they were able to gather from watching A Different World.” 

Students and alumni turned out to fill the Dionne Warwick Theater to witness the cast’s intimate reminiscences of scenes from the show and the connections to their personal lives and careers.  

Bell spoke proudly about the legacy of inspiring students to pursue college and countering what he feels is a damaging idea that young people don’t need a college education to be successful in the post-digital world. 

“People are telling our young people, ‘You don’t need college anymore,’ when college is the single most important differentiator in life outcomes.” he said. “To tell Black, male and poor people you don’t need a secondary education, to me, is more dangerous than all of the garbage you see on YouTube and TikTok.” 

As the tour continues to travel to schools across the country, it aims to inspire a new generation to choose HBCUs as their academic homes. 

###

About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu.