Norfolk, VA (WVEC) -- It’s been more than 20 years since the hit NBC show, A Different World, went off the air after six seasons in 1993, but the excitement over seeing five cast members in person was as energetic as Whitley Gilbert in a brand new shopping mall.
On Saturday, about 1,500 people filed into the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center on the campus of Norfolk State University to see Jasmine Guy (Whitley), Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne), Charnele Brown (Kimberly), Darryl Bell (Ron Johnson) and Cree Summer (Freddie) discuss the importance of a college education.
It was the first time the cast was together in an official capacity since a 2009 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The event, sponsored by SunTrust Bank, was entitled, “It is A Different World: College Changes EVERYTHING.” Proceeds benefited the Access College Foundation and NSU’s honor college.
13 News Now Anchor Janet Roach served as the moderator. Discussion was generated based on topics featured in five clips from the show, which was set at fictional historically black college, Hillman, modeled after Hampton University.
In one clip, character, Dwayne Wayne was criticized by a visiting friend about his decision to attend a predominately African American college. Cast members spoke about how the show’s impact helped dispel negative perceptions about historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
“Your success speaks for yourself,” Darryl Bell, who played Ron Johnson, told the crowd. Bell says he hears from people every day who tell him that A Different World is the reason why they went to college.
The gathering was an opportunity for the cast to talk about the show’s impact on the importance of pursuing a higher education and the life lessons that came along with that.
Brown told the crowd the show celebrated the uniqueness of African Americans by bringing together such a diverse group of actors.
Summer said her character on the show inspired young ladies to be different, and to know that it’s OK. "She was 100 percent herself, a pariah. She wasn't afraid to let her freak flag fly, and be who she was."
The actors are proud the show broke ground on controversial topics of that time.
“We were addressing things that people weren’t even talking about when we did our AIDS show. We had all the sponsors pull out, and we proceeded to do the show anyway, “ says Summer.
Guy and Brown seized the moment to encourage the attendees to pay attention to the current presidential race and vote.
Guy reminded students to learn their African American history. “Read our philosophers and great thinkers like Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, Marcus Garvey. Listen to our poets, our rappers, as well.”
All five actors gave their version on what it takes to be successful. Bell drew big applause when he talked about pursuing your passion. "Whatever your dream is, it's not big enough. Double it, and you will be surprised at how the world will return it to you."
“Find what you love. Just find something that inspires you," said Hardison.
Access College Foundation is a nationally recognized organization serving middle and high school students as an expert in the field of college access and post-secondary educational success. The group has assisted more than 50,000 local public school students with college enrollment. It has secured more than 500 million dollars in scholarships and financial aid.
At the close of the event, five students were given $1,000 scholarships, a move praised by the cast.
“That’s the kind of impact we all hoped for. The tears in the eyes of the students who received scholarships and all of the words of inspiration that were shared with us throughout the day. Just great,” Bell wrote in an email.
Most evident in the discussion was the strong presence of friendship that still exists between the actors. Although they were unsure about whether there will ever be a TV reunion.
Drawing the loudest cheers was Guy, who gave advice as Whitley in that famous southern drawl: “You can never to be too skinny or too rich.”
However, the true highlight was when the room burst with exuberance as the cast led the crowd in the singing of the A Different World theme song.
