Iconic ‘A Different World’ Cast Reuniting For National HBCU Tour

The cast of A Different World is getting back together. The cast of the legendary NBC sitcom is reuniting for a national 10-city tour of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in celebration of the show's 35-year legacy.

The organizers of the tour say that the tour 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," they said in a statement.

Participation in the tour will help raise scholarship funds, "ensuring that more students can access the transformative experience of HBCUs."

According to the tour website, Darryl M. Bell (Ronald 'Ron' Johnson), Charnele Brown (Kimberly 'Kim' Reese), Jasmine Guy (Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne), Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Cleophus Wayne), Dawnn Lewis (Jaleesa Vinson Taylor), Cree Summer (Winifred 'Freddie' Brooks), Glynn Turman (Col. Bradford 'Brad' Taylor) and Sinbad (Walter Oakes) will all participate in the tour. The tour will also feature panels and other events.

Producers Susan Fales and Debbie Allen will also be included in the tour.

The tour is set to begin on Feb. 29 in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Atlanta University Center. Its member institutions include Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.

A complete tour schedule will be announced soon. Other cities include Washington, DC (hosted by Howard University) and Montgomery, Alabama (hosted by Alabama State University and Tuskegee University), both in April.

People often say that the hit show is why they decided to attend HBCU. A Different World aired on NBC for six seasons, kicking off on September 24, 1987, and wrapping up on July 9, 1993. This show, a spin-off from The Cosby Show, was centered around Denise Huxtable (played by Lisa Bonet) and the students navigating life at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU in Virginia.

After the first season, Lisa Bonet, Marisa Tomei, and Loretta Devine waved goodbye to the show. But we still got to see future stars like Jada Pinkett Smith and Karen Malina White making their mark on the sitcom.

The 1990s had a plethora of sitcoms that celebrated the Black experience and launched several actors' careers. A common theme that runs throughout all of the shows selected is family. Additionally, many of these series show the importance of a chosen family.

Shows like Living Single featured main characters living within the same building or across the street from one another. They created a community in which they take care of each other. While the main character's family makes appearances on the show, their role is mostly used for context on the character's development.

In a workplace sitcom like The Jamie Foxx Show, it is very relatable to everyday life. Let's face it: We see our coworkers more than we see our families. The show can easily connect with that fact
but also how coworkers can be a lending ear to life's problems as well as fostering a familial relationship.

A coming-of-age sitcom like Moesha shows how childhood and high school years play a pivotal role in our development of relationships inside and outside of the home. Specifically, in Moesha, the show explores how the loss of her mother affected her ability to accept her father's new wife and ultimately changed the family dynamic she once had. Through her personal issues within herself, she is still managing how to navigate school, friendships, and romantic relationships.

Sibling relationships were also a common premise in the '90s with shows like Sister, Sister and The Wayans Bros. While real-life siblings were used in the shows, their stark differences in character show that your closest confidant could be the person you share a parent with.

Now, with streaming available, you don't have to wait for your favorite show to be played on late-night television. You can use your favorite app to relive all of your favorite moments from these hit shows.

Take a look at 10 Black 90s sitcoms you can stream now:

Living Single aired from 1993-1998. It featured six friends living in a Brooklyn brownstone as they navigated the trials and tribulations that life handed them. The show starred Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, John Henton, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields, and Terrence C. Carson. The show can be streamed on Hulu.

Martin aired from 1992-1997. Martin (Martin Lawrence) plays an over the top radio talk show host while his girlfriend Gina (Tisha Campbell), friends Tommy (Thomas Mikal Ford), Cole Carl (Anthony Payne II) and even his playful "arch nemesis" Pam (Tichina Arnold) help him get out of some sticky situations. You can stream Martin on Max (formerly HBO Max).

Will (Will Smith) got himself into some trouble in West Philadelphia so his mother requested that he move in with his Aunt Viv -- played by Janet Hubert in seasons 1-3 and later played Daphne Maxwell Reid in the remainder seasons -- and her husband Uncle Phil (James Avery) and their three children Hilary (Karyn Parsons), Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) and Ashley (Tatyana Ali) in Bel-Air. The show's premise is how Will can adjust to living in prestigious Bel-Air but also the relationship he fosters with his extended family. You can stream The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on Paramount Plus and Max (formerly HBO Max).

Moesha aired from 1996-2001. Moesha, played by Brandy Norwood, is navigating her life as a teenager with the adjustment of her father's new wife, along with friendship and relationship issues. The show additionally stars Marcus T. Paulk, William Allen Young, Shar Jackson, Countess Vaughn, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Lamont Bentley. You can stream Moesha on Netflix.

The Parkers aired from 1999-2004. It stars Nikki Parker (Mo'Nique) attending the same junior college as her daughter Kim (Countess Vaughn). The show additionally stars Yvette Wilson, Dorien Wilson, Jenna von Oÿ and Ken Lawson. The Parkers is a spin-off of Moesha. You can stream The Parkers on Netflix.

The Wayans Bros. aired from 1995-1999. The show stars real-life brothers Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans in their quest to be successful but have completely different personalities. Marlon is more laidback and carefree and Shawn is the responsible one. It additionally stars Anna Maria Horsford and the late John Witherspoon. The Wayans Bros. is available to stream on Max (formerly HBO Max).

Kenan & Kel aired from 1996-200. It starred Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson, who were cast members of sketch comedy All That on Nickelodeon who later got their own spin-off. Kenan & Kel is about high school best friends who always find themselves in some sort of trouble while having completely opposite goals. Kenan wants to get rich, while Kel constantly finds a way to backfire on Kenan's plan with his love of orange soda. The show is available to stream on Netflix.

Sister, Sister aired from 1994-1999 and stars real-life twins Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry. In the show, the sisters have been separated at birth, and once they find each other, they convince their adopted parents to move in together so they can spend more time with one another. The show stars Jackée Harry, Tim Reid, and Marques Houston. You can stream Sister, Sister on Netflix.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115221/

The Jamie Foxx Show aired from 1996-2001. Jamie King (Jamie Foxx) is an aspiring actor who heads to Hollywood in order to chase his dreams. In order to make a living before he gets his big break, King gets employed at his uncle's hotel, King Towers. The show also stars Christopher B. Duncan, Ellia English, Garcelle Beauvais, and Garrett Morris. You can stream The Jamie Foxx Show on Max (formerly HBO Max).

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115372/

The Steve Harvey Show aired from 1996-2002. Steve Hightower (Steve Harvey) finds himself as a high school music teacher after years of touring with the biggest names in the industry. The show stars Merlin Santana, Cedric the Entertainer, William Lee Scott, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Lori Beth Denberg, Tracy Vilar, and Terri J. Vaughn. The show is available for streaming on Tubi and Pluto TV.