The cast of the popular 1980s and ‘90s NBC sitcom “A Different World” is coming to Alabama during a tour that’s hitting historically Black college and university campuses.
The cast members are reuniting for a 10-city tour that will include a Montgomery stop hosted by Alabama State University and Tuskegee University in April. The exact date hasn’t been announced yet. The tour will start Feb. 29 in Atlanta at the Atlanta University Center — home to Clark Atlanta University, Morris Brown College, Morehouse College and Spelman College. The only other city that’s been announced so far is Washington, D.C. (hosted by Howard University). Additional tour stops will be announced soon, according to the A Different World HBCU College Tour 2024 website. A signup page is also available on the website for people to get more information and learn how to attend.
Several of the show’s cast members will participate in the tour, which will feature panels and other events. The legendary actors of the show who will attend the tour are: 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) and producer Debbie Allen.
“The cast of ‘A Different World’ has come together to celebrate our 35 year legacy and make more history with today’s HBCUs and tomorrow’s leaders,” Bell said in an interview with PEOPLE.
According to the website, the purpose of the tour is to raise awareness and enrollment for HBCUs nationwide by leveraging the star power and cultural impact of “A Different World.” The show is often cited as the reason many people chose to attend HBCUs. The tour will also focus on raising scholarships sponsored by Cisco and Wells Fargo. The website says the scholarships will ensure more students can access the transformative experience of HBCUs.
“A Different World” was a “The Cosby Show” spinoff that followed the college life of Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) and the students at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU in Virginia. The show aired on NBC for six seasons, from Sept. 24, 1987 to July 9, 1993.
