School is back in session for the cast of A Different World as they prepare for a nationwide reunion tour celebrating the show’s 35-year legacy. PEOPLE exclusively reveals that the iconic cast of the legendary NBC sitcom will embark on a 10-city tour of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), igniting nostalgia and a mission to support education.
Darryl M. Bell, Charnele Brown, Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Cree Summer, Glynn Turman , and Sinbad will join producers Susan Fales and Debbie Allen for the tour. The event will feature panels and other engaging activities.
The tour commences on Feb. 29 in Atlanta, Georgia, at the prestigious Atlanta University Center, which includes Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. Other cities on the itinerary include Washington, DC (hosted by Howard University), and Montgomery, Alabama (hosted by Alabama State University and Tuskegee University), with more locations to be announced.
A Different World, a spin-off from The Cosby Show, aired on NBC for six seasons from Sept. 24, 1987, to July 9, 1993. Set at the fictional HBCU Hillman College in Virginia, the series initially centered on Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) before evolving to portray the diverse experiences of its characters, including memorable performances by Marisa Tomei, Loretta Devine, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Karen Malina White.
The show’s impact extended beyond entertainment, consistently ranking first or second among Black viewers and influencing many to attend HBCUs. Now, the cast’s reunion tour serves not only as a nostalgic trip down memory lane but also as a fundraiser for scholarship funds. Supported by Cisco and Wells Fargo, the tour aims to increase awareness and enrollment in HBCUs, empowering a new generation to embrace these institutions as academic homes.
“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,” says Darryl Bell. “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.”
