Hillman Rewind

Episode 19: Alabama State University Title: Mama Said, “Get a Job!” In this episode of Hillman Rewind , DJ Diggy and Nichole unpack what happens when dreams meet reality — and when your mama shows up on campus to drop some grown-folk truths. Denise’s desire to study abroad hits a hard stop thanks to Clair Huxtable, who’s all about building character before catching flights. Meanwhile, Whitley’s fr...

Episode 18: North Carolina A&T State University Title: Speak Up & Pay Up In this episode of Hillman Rewind , Nichole and DJ Diggy explore what happens when fear, finances, and friendships collide. Jaleesa is tapped to give a big speech but struggles with stage fright, while Denise tiptoes around a debt she owes Maggie. The crew dives into the pressure of being seen, the awkwardness of mone...

Episode 17: Howard University Title: Campaign Trails & Crowned Expectations In this empowering episode of Hillman Rewind , Nichole and DJ Diggy unpack the brilliance and awkwardness of Dwayne Wayne running for Miss Hillman. They explore how the episode hilariously but thoughtfully challenged gender roles, pushed back on sexist expectations, and highlighted how we all seek validation—especially...

Episode 16: Texas Southern University Title: “Center Stage & Complicated Feelings” In this episode of Hillman Rewind , DJ Diggy and Nichole break down what happens when art, attraction, and ambition collide. Maggie steps into the director’s chair, Whitley and Denise compete for the spotlight (and a charming co-star), and things get messy both on and off the stage. We talk about student leaders...

Episode 15: Wiley College Title: Crush Codes & Critiques This week on Hillman Rewind , Nichole and DJ Diggy spin the dial back to the days of college radio, secret crushes, and bad love advice. As Dwayne hosts a live relationship talk show on campus, everyone’s caught up in the drama—from mystery admirers to embarrassing confessions. We break down what it means to really give or receive advice...

Episode 14: Prairie View A&M University Title: Genius, Grace & What We Don’t See In this deeply moving episode of Hillman Rewind , Nichole and DJ Diggy explore what happens when academic brilliance collides with real-life struggle. A standout student dazzles her classmates—but behind the books, she's facing homelessness. This conversation opens up space for reflection on the unseen battles...

Episode 13: Tuskegee University Title: New Faces, New Rules, Same Dorm This week on Hillman Rewind , Nichole and DJ Diggy explore the shakeups that come with change. The girls of Gilbert Hall face a new dorm director with a no-nonsense attitude, and suddenly, comfort zones are challenged. Meanwhile, a fresh face enters the mix and quickly becomes a symbol of what it means to lead with strength and...

Episode 12: Morris Brown College Title: Counseling, Crises & Cutting Corners In this episode of Hillman Rewind , Nichole and DJ Diggy dive into the chaos of campus life when good intentions collide with finals pressure. Denise takes on a peer counseling role to dodge her own academic responsibilities—and it backfires fast. From juggling emotional labor to avoiding the inevitable, this episode...

Episode 11: Florida A&M University Title: Flirtation Flip: When the Game Gets Reversed This week, we dive into a rarely explored angle—what happens when a woman makes the first move, and the guy isn’t into it? Dwayne gets unexpectedly pursued by classmate Peggy, and instead of honesty, he leans on a lie to escape the situation. Denise steps in to defend his right to have boundaries, and we tal...

Episode 10: Stillman College Title: Family, Gifts, and Grown-Up Shifts This week on Hillman Rewind , Nichole and DJ Diggy dive into the grown-up moments that college doesn’t quite prepare you for— what it means to see our parents as full humans, not just caretakers — and the emotional maturity required when life hits differently. we’re unpacking how college forces us to grow up—emotionally, social...

Episode 9: Hampton University Title: Crush Culture, Dorm Doors & Dream Chasing In this episode of Hillman Rewind , Nikki Nich and DJ Diggy explore the complications of admiration and attraction when Denise and other students catch feelings for their geology professor. We talk boundaries — from the emotional kind to literal dorm room doors — and reflect on how important personal space is during...

Episode 8: Paul Quinn Title: "Track Star Triumphs & Trials" In this episode, we explore A Different World Season 1, Episode 8, where Denise joins the track team and struggles to keep up. We dive into what it means to step outside your comfort zone, balance academics with extracurriculars, and manage the pressure to prove yourself. 💼 Hillman Homework: What’s something new you tried in school t...

Episode 7: Morehouse College Title: Homecoming Hustle & Heart It’s homecoming at Hillman! In this episode, we break down A Different World Season 1, Episode 7, where Denise’s grandpa pays a visit, and the students steal the rival school’s mascot head. We’re diving into the excitement of homecoming traditions, the wisdom our elders share, and the impact of family legacies—both inspiring and ove...

Episode 6: Bennett College Title: Little Siblings, Big Influence In this episode, we’re diving into A Different World Season 1, Episode 6, where Rudy visits Denise at Hillman but ends up spending the weekend shadowing Whitley instead! We explore the dynamics of sibling relationships, the power of mentorship, and how popular students can shape campus life. From funny sibling visit stories to memora...

Episode 5: Benedict College Title: That’s Debatable This week on Hillman Rewind , we’re stepping into the debate ring and tackling one of the hottest topics from A Different World Season 1, Episode 5—should women work or stay home? Back in the 80s, this was a major discussion on college campuses, and we’re breaking down how the conversation has evolved over the years. Join Nichole and Ray as they...

Episode 4: Tennessee State University Title: Lessons, Lies & Late Nights Class is in session! In this episode of Hillman Rewind , we’re diving into A Different World Season 1, Episode 4, where tutoring sessions, gossip, and late-night conversations take center stage. Ray and Nichole break down the academic hustle, sharing their own experiences with tutoring—both giving and receiving help—and t...

Episode 03 - Southern A&M University Title: Rules, Romance & Retro Style – Life at Hillman Summary: The dorms had rules, the organizations shaped us, the crushes were real, and the fashion? Unforgettable. This week on Hillman Rewind , we’re talking about dorm monitors and those college rules that kept us in (or out of) trouble, the importance of student organizations, the excitement of fir...

Episode 01 - Clark Atlanta University Title: Welcome to Hillman – First Impressions & Finding Your Place Summary: In this episode of Hillman Rewind , we’re taking it back to one of the biggest moments in any college experience—moving into the dorms! Hosts DJ Diggy (Ray) and Nichole share their own move-in day stories, unpack the chaos of dorm life, and break down how A Different World captured...

Episode 02 - Spelman College Title: Balancing Books & Budgets – The College Hustle Summary: College isn’t just about books and parties—it’s a crash course in real life! In this episode of Hillman Rewind , we’re diving into the experiences of non-traditional students, the struggle of budgeting and financial responsibility, and the unforgettable late-night dorm room conversations that shaped us....

Intro - Welcome Hillman Fam!! Summary: In our debut episode, we’re pressing play on nostalgia and introducing Hillman Rewind ! Your hosts, DJ Diggy (Ray) and Nichole—both HBCU alums who walked the same campus where A Different World was filmed—are here to break down the culture, the lessons, and the legacy of this iconic show. We kick things off with a check-in, sharing what this show meant to us...