A Conversation with Darryl Bell and Tempestt Bledsoe

The Hampton University Center for Public Policy and Leadership Spring Speaker’s Series, and the Department of Performing Arts co-sponsored a Conversation with Tempestt Bledsoe and Darryl M. Bell Friday Feb. 17 in the Little Theater from 12-1 pm. Bledsoe, known for her role as Vanessa in The Cosby Show and Bell known for his role as Ron in A Different World, discussed the importance of artists using their creative influence to become activists in the community.

Bledsoe and Bell both mentioned the influence The Cosby Show and A Different World had on the African-American community, and specifically, college-aged students. Bell even commented on how Hillman, the pretend college from the show, was modeled after Hampton University and even helped boost college enrollment during the 90s.

Bledsoe believes that it is an artist’s responsibility to use his/her craft as a form of activism and has even used her career as a platform to help make a difference.

“I use my craft as a form of activism in my choices and the roles I play. Growing up on The Cosby Show, I saw the influence of fame and how it can be used in a positive way. I have made a conscious effort to take on roles that have the potential to impact the community.

Bell shares similar beliefs as Bledsoe and reminisced on feelings about working on pressing political and philosophical issues and what he has done since A Different World to impact the community.

“We tackled issues that were deliberately thought provoking and had open dialogues with our writers. Our show affected college-age students, and revolutions have started with college-age students.  I also transcended activism into my personal life and used my celebrity to make an impact on the community. I supported President Obama and held voter registration drives and helped his campaign.”

The discussion seemed to spark the interests of many students wanting to enter the entertainment industry. Senior music recording technology major, Michael Thompson, commented on his feelings regarding artists as activists.

“It is always a good thing to see an artist having an influence on his/her audience; and using this influence to gain support for pertinent issues. This helps get important points across to people who wouldn’t ordinarily follow news events.”

Bledsoe also offered advice to Hamptonians interested in a career in the arts.

“Fully prepare and open yourself to theater and film pieces in order to fully develop into an artist. Create your own path and always stay true to yourself. Never compromise your integrity.

The Hampton University Center for Public Policy and Leadership Spring Speaker’s Series and the Department of Fine and Performing Arts are co-sponsoring a Conversation with Darryl M. Bell and Tempestt Bledsoe Friday Feb. 17, 2012 from noon to 1pm in the Little Theatre. The topic being discussed will be artists as activists.

Darry M. Bell, best known for his role as Ron Johnson in the six season hit sitcom A Different World and three time NAACP Award nominee, had a unique climb to stardom and began his acting career at an autograph signing with Spike Lee. He joked about the high price of Lee’s t-shirts and was later given an opportunity by Lee to audition for the film School Daze. Bell was casted as Big Brother X-Ray Vision.

Since his breakout role in A Different Role, Bell has had a plethora of film and television credits, including; recurring roles on Living Single, For Your Love , Cosby, and appearances on The Tonight Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, and  Regis and Kelly.  

Bell has dedicated service to the HBCU community, and recently hosted the Ford HBCU Business Classic for TV One. This was a competition for students from historically Black colleges competing for scholarship money to start their own business.

Tempestt Bledsoe, best known for her role as Vanessa in The Cosby Show began her career at the tender age of ten. After finishing the last season of The Cosby Show, Bledsoe enrolled at NYU’s prestigious Stern School of Business, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance.

Bledsoe also has numerous television and film credits and her most recent works include appearances on The Hallmark Channel’s original movie Wishing Well, Steven Bochco’s Raising The Bar, Oxygen’s Husband For Hire, and the voice of Abbey on Disney Channel’s The Replacements.

Tempestt has long been viewed as a role model for young people. She has served as National Spokesperson for D.A.R.E., and The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

Faculty and students are encouraged to come to this event to hear how someone’s craft can be used to make a difference by two of television and film’s activists.

Afro-Punk Event



HU student ambassadors of Afro-Punk will be facilitaing an event Friday Feb., 17, 2012 from 2-5pm on the first floor of the Harvey Library. Students are encouraged to come and learn more about the Afro-Punk movement and will have an opportunity to complete a survey and enter drawings for an iPad, Chipotle and Starbucks gift cards, and tickets to the HU/HU or Alpha Caberts.

Afro-Punk became a touchstone of a cultural movement strongly reminiscent of the early days of Hip-Hop. Alternative urban kids across the nation who felt like outsiders discovered they were actually the core of a boldly innovative, fast-growing community. The online members have been the driving force behind the exploding Afro-Punk culture, creating an authentic virtual home in www.afropunk.com, and nurturing the musics best and brightest expansion of the Liberation Sessions, a live performance series hosted by James Spooner.

In 2005, the very first annual Afro-Punk Festival debuted to wildly enthusiastic crowds at the iconic Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Co-curated by Matthew Morgan and James Spooner, the festival celebrated and unified the cultural cornerstones of Afro-Punk: music, film, skate, and most importantly, the fiercely independent and influential individuals that are the lifeblood of the Afro-Punk community.