Dawnn Lewis, best known for her role in the 1990s sitcom It’s a Different World for which she co-wrote the theme song, is now 61 years old. Even more, she currently holds an honorary doctorate humane letter from Next Dimension University for her support and service to underprivileged communities.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Dawnn started singing at age four and acting at eleven. Her passion for acting and singing ignited her to study at New York City High School of Music and Arts which is now known as Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School. After that, she went on to major in musical theatre at the University of Miami and graduated in 1982.
From 1987 to 1993, she starred as Jaleesa Vinson–Taylor on It’s a Different World, which was a spin-off of The Cosby Show and was executive produced by Bill Cosby himself. It aired on NBC for all six seasons but is now being syndicated on various streaming networks including Hulu. The sitcom broke barriers as it was the first to highlight what life is like for students attending a Historically Black College or University.
During Dawnn’s career, she has won an NAACP Image Award and has also appeared in other popular sitcoms, TV shows, and films, including Hanging with Mr. Cooper, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Major Crimes, Futurama, The Rich and the Ruthless, Rick and Morty, Grey’s Anatomy, and more. She is also currently the voice of Ms. Washington on Karma’s World, an animated Netflix series produced by rapper Ludacris and his daughter.
The multi-talented personality is a single, independent woman who was previously married to Johnny Newman, a former NBA player. She is the President and CEO of Morning Jewel, Inc., a multi-platform production company in music production, film, television, and animation.
She is also the founder of A New Day Foundation, a nonprofit organization that gives financial and support to less privileged youth and grassroots communities. She also uses this foundation to host regular self-awareness and self-esteem workshops for teen boys and girls.
