Historically black colleges and universities have been a quintessential cornerstone to African American culture for over 185 years! With a foundation of excellence and resilience, the image of highly educated, prosperous, progressive black people in America was lacking via media in the late 80s, until.
September 24th, 1987, a new television show was born. Birthed via a spin-off of The Cosby Show, A Different World showed us Clifford Huxtable's alma mater, Hillman College. There we were able to see a cast of characters who personality and demeanor changed the landscape of television and what blackness means to black people from a black perspective.
With a cast of characters from various walks of life, black people in America had the opportunity to see people who looked like them doing the things they do. In a time where "Reganomics" was in full effect, A Different World fought back against the narrative of black youth being drug pushing super predators in gangs.
Bringing that story to the present, I had the opportunity to capture the A Different World cast as they began their nationwide reunion tour at the Atlanta University Center. Starting the tour at Spelman College and wrapping up a Morehouse College. Thousands of fans had the opportunity to see their favorite characters in the flesh and hear stories and perspectives they've never heard, and ask the panel questions. It was an amazing experience to be in the same space as the legendary people we seen on the show. Check out some Behind The Scenes photos and a clip of all the action of the day!
