Award-winning actress, comedian, speaker, and host Kim Coles will host “A Different World” HBCU College Tour, which will take place at Howard University on today. This event will reunite the original cast of the popular NBC show and give fans a chance to relive some fond memories on campus for Hillman Day. The event will include a panel discussion at Cramton Auditorium, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., exclusively open to Howard University students.
Hillman Day at Howard University is a part of a celebratory movement. The event will commence at 1:00 p.m., with activities outside of Cramton Auditorium. This will include Howard student DJs, the Divine Nine sorority and fraternity step show and stroll competition, 80s/90s themed karaoke, “A Different World” character costume contest, and viewing of clips from the top 10 episodes.
“This is not just about looking back at the cast past,” said Kim Coles. “This tour is about inspiring a new generation to choose HBCUs as their academic homes. I want to show students that these institutions offer so much more than just education – they offer community, culture, and opportunity.”
he tour includes cast members such as Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Darryl M. Bell, Cree Summer, Charnele Brown, Dawnn Lewis, and Glynn Turman, as well as producers Susan Fales and the legendary Debbie Allen. The purpose of the tour is to raise awareness and promote enrollment for Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation.
After more than 35 years since its debut, “A Different World” continues to resonate with viewers who credit the show as why they decided to attend an HBCU. The series followed students at Hillman College – a fictional historically black college in Virginia inspired by student life at real-life HBCUs.
“A Different World” was consistently ranked first or second among Black viewers during most of its 6-year run and is often cited as the defining reason many decided to attend an HBCU.
The NBC series (now streaming on Max) followed students at Hillman College, a fictional historically black college in Virginia. It was inspired by student life at historically black colleges and universities.
Their mission goes beyond nostalgia. They’re on a quest to raise awareness and enrollment for HBCUs nationwide. By leveraging the star power and cultural impact of “A Different World,” the cast aims to inspire a new generation to choose HBCUs as their academic homes. Together with their presenting sponsor, Cisco, and premier finance partner, Wells Fargo, they are launching a scholarship program, ensuring that more students can access the transformative experience of HBCUs.
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