The cast of ‘A Different World’: Glynn Turman as Col. Bradford ‘Brad’ Taylor, Dawnn Lewis as Jaleesa Vinson Taylor, Lou Myers as Vernon GAines, Charnele Brown as Kimberly ‘Kim’ Reese (front row) Kadeem Hardison as Dwayne Cleophus Wayne, Jasmine Guy as Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne, Darryl M. Bell as Ronald ‘Ron’ Johnson, Cree Summer as Winifred ‘Freddie’ Brooks.Photo: NBCU Photo Bank
School is back in session for the cast ofA Different World.
PEOPLE can exclusively reveal that the cast of the legendary NBC sitcom are reuniting this month toembark on a national 10-city tour of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)in celebration of the show’s 35-year legacy.
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) andSinbad(Walter Oakes) will all participate in the tour, which will feature panels and other events.
Producers Susan Fales andDebbie Allenwill also be included.
The tour will kick off Feb. 29 in Atlanta, Georgia at the prestigious Atlanta University Center — home to Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College.
The cast of ‘A Different World’ season 1: Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Marisa Tomei and Lisa Bonet.NBCU Photo Bank
NBCU Photo Bank
Bonet left the show after the first season, as didMarisa TomeiandLoretta Devine. Future stars who appeared on the sitcom includedJada Pinkett Smithand Karen Malina White, among others.
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 a HBCU.
‘A Different World’.Everett
That’s part of the reason the cast fromA Different Worldis getting together now. The tour will not just be a nostalgic trip down memory lane for theDifferent Worldfamily, but also a chance to raise money for scholarship funds. Per the website, Cisco and premiere finance partner Wells Fargo will sponsor the tour “ensuring that more students can access the transformative experience of HBCUs.““The cast ofA Different Worldhas come together to celebrate our 35 year legacy and make more history with today’s HBCUs and tomorrow’s leaders!” Darryl Bell tells PEOPLE.
“Our 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,” the website states. “We’re not just telling a story; we’re rewriting the narrative.”
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A Different Worldis streaming on Max.
source: people.com
