The cast of the classic sitcom A Different World has reunited for a national tour of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). During their stop in Washington, D.C., hosted by Howard College, they met with Vice President Kamala Harris and Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at the White House.
The group was led in a sing-along of the show’s theme by Jean-Pierre, who chose to perform the version featured throughout most of the series’ run, sung in the original version by Aretha Franklin. The tour features alums Darryl M. Bell (Ron Johnson), Charnele Brown (Kimberly Reese), Jasmine Guy (Whitley Gilbert-Wayne), Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Wayne), Dawnn Lewis (Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor), Cree Summer (Winifred Brooks), Glynn Turman (Col. Bradford Taylor), and Sinbad (Walter Oakes). They were joined by producers Debbie Allen and Susan Fales.
The goal of the tour is to raise scholarship funds at participating HBCUs. “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,” said a statement from the group. The sitcom ran for six seasons between 1987 and 1993. Watch the White House sing-along below: