The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
‘A Different World’ cast visits Atlanta on HBCU tour
Impact of 1980s hit show continues with college students today.
To bring Black History Month to a close, the cast from the 1980s hit sitcom “A Different World” stopped by Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College and Morehouse College to open the “A Different World Tour’’ hosting panels highlighting the cultural significance of HBCUs nationwide. The tour held its final panel in Atlanta in the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse on Thursday evening.
Darryl M. Bell, Charnele Brown, Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Cree Summer and Glynn Turman were all present on the campuses. Sinbad and producer Debbie Allen joined the conversation virtually.
“‘A Different World’ was part of the reason why I came to an HBCU,” said Nathaniel Whitaker, an Africana Studies major from Portsmouth, Virginia, and a filmmaker at Morehouse.
“Personally, that was a show I bonded over with my family. Just how it had an impact on me, that’s an example of how it had an impact on Black culture and increasing the attendance of HBCUs,” he said.
The cast discussed some of their most memorable and meaningful episodes, understanding the influence of the show and their experiences filming.
“From the second season through the rest of the series, we always had input in what happened,” Bell said.
Guy said their camaraderie and transparency with the writers helped them explore more sensitive topics with younger audiences.
“I felt like the more real our show was, the funnier we could be. As opposed to going for the gag or the joke, we were going for the truth,” Guy said. “I love that we were able to marry the humor, the drama, the tears, the laughter — all in 25 episodes of our lives.”
She explained how she never knew how much reach the show would have. Before doing the show, from growing up in Georgia she thought communities like Clark Atlanta were well known nationally.
Bell noted that “A Different World” is still one of the 50 highest-ranking series in television history. Several students during the discussion expressed how the cast inspired them to get a college education or to attend an HBCU specifically.
Spelman senior and psychology major Kimberly Edelin says the show still holds weight for current students 35 years later.
“Through the show, it is globally shown how imperative and transformative HBCU culture and academia truly is,” she said.
Brown said the biggest message she could give students is not to underestimate their HBCU education and to take full advantage of the platforms they have access to.
The cast also spoke to students on navigating their careers as actors and giving advice to rising performing artists and students seeking to find a place in the entertainment industry.
Hardison mentioned how he often was nervous playing Dwayne Wayne and told the audience to learn how to use anxiety and not to let the anxiety use them. The rest of the cast elaborated on how difficult breaking into the industry was for them, but encouraged students to embrace their journeys
“There is a spirit of commitment to a craft that never ends. You’re always getting better,” Turman said. “The competition is unbelievable, so if you can’t help but do this, then come on.”
Edelin said students are still learning from watching the show and the complexity of the characters. She said students now can not only relate to the show, but they also can live the show.
Before the event closed Bell hinted at being open to a potential reboot for “A Different World.” “I cannot confirm or deny that anything might happen soon, but never say never,” he said.
The “A Different World Tour” has its next stop at Howard University next month.