Allen will engage with the HBCU community as she brings its culture back to the small screen.
Debbie Allen will deliver this year’s commencement speech for graduates at Clark Atlanta University.
The “A Different World” producer will return to another HBCU graduation to serve as the keynote speaker. Clark Atlanta will further recognize the storied actress, director, and choreographer at the May 18 ceremony.
CAU highlighted her immense legacy and support of historically Black institutions in a new post to its Panthers community.
“Her life’s work embodies discipline, creativity, and unapologetic excellence,” expressed the school in the caption.
Alongside her return to a real-life campus, she will bring the world of Hillman back to the small screen with a Netflix revival. An advocate for stories that focus on Black collegiate life, Allen hopes this modern retelling will grow the Hillman legacy and encourage Black youth to attend such institutions.
“There couldn’t be a better time than now to reboot ‘A Different World,’” Allen told Tudum, Netflix’s media magazine. “Our show changed lives, tripled the enrollment of historically Black colleges and gave a strong voice and platform for Young Black America. The incredible fresh young talent we have discovered, paired with the lovable audience favorite OGs, makes this much-anticipated return a must-see on Netflix.”
Allen is also a seasoned commencement speaker. She previously spoke at other graduation ceremonies while receiving honorary doctoral degrees from schools such as the University of North Carolina, Yale University, and her alma mater, Howard University.
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Source: Black Enterprise
