My kids once asked me what made me select an HBCU (Historically Black College University) as my choice for higher education. My response was three words– A Different World. Yes, a TV show helped me take a path in life that still to this day, I knew was the right decision.
NBC provided insight into what college life looked like for African-Americans. The cast of characters was so diverse that it was easy to find one to relate to. It didn’t matter if you were rich, poor or middle class, A Different World had your match. Here are the top 10 fan-favorite characters from the show.
Denise Huxtable
Denise was the reason there was even A Different World show. As her character on The Cosby Show aged, it was time to see how she was living outside of her parent’s home. The show caught up with Denise in her sophomore year and from there, we witnessed just how spoiled she was. Denise was like Ron. She really didn’t care about school, just getting on the phone and complaining to her parents how bad things were.
Dwayne would chase Denise around like a lost puppy while she and Jalessa would often clash as Jalessa labeled Denise as privileged. She didn’t handle college well and dropped out to return home and back to her famous role on The Cosby Show.
Colonel Taylor
Better known as “Dr. War” in the early stages of the show, Colonel Taylor was not a loved character in the beginning. As the audience was mostly teenagers and those in their early twenties, we’ve had yet to grasp exactly who the Colonel was. He was tough on his students but there was a reason for that. These were young black minds he was molding and while the military approach may have been a bit over the top at times, it was much-needed.
He was there to teach and provide guidance. His son would later follow him to Hillman College and that’s when the Colonel learned a valuable lesson about how to let go and let his students be who they’re meant to be. He would later go on to marry Jalessa and have a child together.
Mr. Gaines
Without Mr. Gaines’ cooking, jokes and advice, A Different World would have been just that–different. Mr. Gaines was like the uncle we all had who just loves to talk. At first, you shrug it off because his approach and delivery are just way off. But a few minutes after the conversation, you realize the old man actually provided some words of wisdom.
He owned the best hangout spot on Hillman Collge (The Pit) and made sure he kept the fellow students employed. Yes, he favored some over the others but how could you not love Kimberly Reese (tried to say that in his voice)? His stories regarding his marriage to Velma were knee-slapping funny.
Jalessa Vinson-Taylor
No one wanted to disrespect Jalessa in the beginning. She was the older student who decided to give college life a try after a failed marriage. Jalessa was no-nonsense, took everything seriously and yet, she tried to help mold the minds of her fellow classmates.
She would later go on to date Walter and when that didn’t work, she and Whitley became roommates living right across the hall from Ron and Dwayne. Jalessa dated for a while but then settled down and married the Colonel. Jalessa never accepted the position of a role model but that’s exactly what she was. She taught these young black women that it’s never too late.
Lena James
She’s not on the list because Lena was played by Jada Pinkett Smith. Lena is here because she added the missing element to A Different World. Hailing from Baltimore, Lena James added swagger to a show that never focused on that topic until her presence. While other students were from the inner city, it was Lena who brought the inner city with her. From her talk down to her clothes, she repped Baltimore to the fullest.
Lena was not accepted into Hillman, she snuck her way in. Once enrolled, she proved that no matter the social and economic status, deep down, we’re all the same. Lena didn’t fight to be accepted by her peers, she fought to stand out from them.
Kim Reese
Kim took the path of Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable and walked the journey to become a doctor. The daughter of a cop came to Hillman with little, unlike her roommate Whitley who would later become her best friend and sister. They often clashed but by the end, the bond was just too tight.
Kim’s morals were some of the strongest on the show and she provided hope for kids that no matter their upbringing, they could accomplish anything they wanted. The love triangle between her, Ron, and Freddie was necessary as three young adults were coming into their own trying to navigate love and life at the same time.
Freddie Brooks
By far the most eccentric character on A Different World. Freddie was just that different from everyone else. She was all about the environment, brought her white brother Matthew on the campus, and she tried to hook him up with her best friend Kim. Freddie talked with her hands and she did a lot of talking over the seasons. The banter between Freddie and Whitley was some of the best on the show.
But as the show grew, so did her character. Freddie traded in her earthly grabs for business suits as she matured almost overnight. Freddie went from starting protests to defending those arrested. She didn’t have much of a love life besides Shazza and then Ron, who she started seeing behind Kim’s back.
Ron Johnson
Ron was the total screwup throughout the show’s run. He had his chances but elected to be the guy who chased after women, ignored classes, and looked for excuses. His friendship with Dwayne was a sign of his heart but he just couldn’t do right for himself. That’s not to say that Ron didn’t have his good moments. He managed to graduate after lying and faking his graduation to his father.
He betrayed his girlfriend to sleep with her best friend, couldn’t hold down a place of his own, and he lived in Dwayne and Whitney’s basement. However, when Dwyane was going through a financial crisis, it was Ron who helped out financially. His character may have been the most complete in terms of a person searching for an identity as they came into adulthood.
Whitley Gilbert
The snobby girl entered Hillman College not liked by many except Dwayne Wayne. Whitley rubbed everyone wrong with her “I’m richer than you” persona. Her father was wealthy and Whitley was spoiled beyond measures because of it. Then it all fell apart once her father cut her off and Whitley was forced to find real employment for the first time in her life.
Her growth was just as big as Dwayne’s as Whitley had to take a look in the mirror and make drastic changes to her life. She had to get a job and her falling for Dwayne was not in the plans. Whitley taught fans how to forgive and that it’s never too late to change.
Dwayne Wayne
Dwayne started as the clown on the show in the beginning. However, by the end, he was the one who knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life and career and took the biggest risk on A Different World.
The once geeky kid with the flip-up glasses, got the girl he always wanted and the job he craved, all while giving nerds a new lease on life. Dwayne taught us what it’s like fighting for friendship, love, racial equality and that’s it’s ok to take a risk, all hoping it all works out in our favor. He took the hard path to get where he wanted to go but it was all worth it.
