During my recent interview with actor and director Kadeem Hardison, he provided valuable insights into his collaboration with Vontélle Eyewear, a Black woman-owned eyewear brand. This collaboration led to the creation of the DEEMED Collection which is partnered by Jayce Baron. We also discussed his current starring role in The Chi and his participation in the HBCU tour alongside his former castmates from A Different World.

“They make fly glasses, and I wanted to be part of it,” Hardison stated. The reason behind his collaboration with the eyewear brand was his admiration for their fashionable glasses and his commitment to promoting Black entrepreneurship. He openly admitted that he regretted not doing something similar three decades ago. He emphasized that now is a prime opportunity for Black entrepreneurship to flourish and succeed. This collaboration emphasizes the increasing presence of Black-owned businesses in the market and underscores the significance of representation in the fashion industry.

The eyewear collection showcases two unique styles, Dwayne and Cleofis, providing four variety colors blush, cerulean, chestnut and silver to suit different tastes. Hardison’s focus on the aviator shape showcases his unique sense of style and how eyewear trends have evolved over time. The collection has been designed with a technology that has never been used that adds three styles of versatility and allows the shade component to be completely removed. It encourages individual expression and promotes inclusivity through fashion.

Kadeem shared that a portion of the proceeds will go towards the launch of the Hardison Scholarship Fund.

You can learn more about the collection and brand by visiting Vontelle.com. I would like to mention that Vontelle founders Tracy Green and Nancey Flowers-Harris are both HBCU graduates of Morgan State University. Both mentioned previously that they were inspired by A Different World to pursue higher education.

“I always choose to support Black owned brands without hesitation.” I am currently wearing two Black owned brands. We didn’t have this stuff when A Different World was on. There has been a significant rise in the number of Black brands emerging lately. “We have to support,” stated Hardison.

Hardison’s insights into Black entrepreneurship highlight the vibrant landscape of Black-owned businesses and their growing presence in mainstream markets. His support for Black businesses aligns with a larger movement focused on economic empowerment and community development in the Black community. Black celebrities like Hardison have a significant impact on promoting and supporting Black-owned brands through partnerships and endorsements, helping to increase their influence and effectiveness.

“I’ve been dying to get on something Lena Waithe is attached to.” According to Hardison, she is an exceptional writer and storyteller.

In discussing his new role in the highly regarded series “The Chi,” Hardison expressed his deep admiration for creator Lena Waithe’s exceptional storytelling skills and the show’s remarkable portrayal of diverse Black experiences. Professor Elijah Gardner, a character portrayd by Hardison, adds depth to the representation of Black characters on screen, highlighting the significance of genuine and complex portrayals in television. Kadeem mentioned, “The show portrays us in various perspectives.” It captures everything that embodies us. “The Chi” is a prime example of well-crafted scripted programming that beautifully captures the depth and diversity of Black narratives. It fearlessly challenges stereotypes and gives a powerful platform to a wide range of voices in the media.

You can catch the new season of The Chi which premieres May 10th.

“This is truly the brainchild of Darryl M. Bell. We have this because of his relentless determination, the countless calls he made, the numerous rejections he faced, and his unwavering fight for this representation,” stated Hardison.

Our conversation concludes with a focus on Hardison’s thoughts and participation in the HBCU tour, which was spearheaded by actor Darryl M. Bell. The tour intends to increase awareness and provide support for historically Black colleges and universities. The tour is designed to inspire more students to consider enrolling in HBCUs, while also working towards generating financial assistance for these institutions. Additionally, it aims to showcase the rich legacy and educational opportunities that HBCUs have to offer. Hardison and his past castmates are using their platforms and influences to highlight the importance of HBCUs in promoting academic excellence and cultural pride among Black students.

This tour has been so monumental that they even made a visit to The White House.

“We want to make sure that the kids have access to this information and are inspired by this tour. The next generation needs to see the different avenues for success that are available to them. The higher the rate of representation, the higher the rate of success will be seen,” stated Hardison.

Kadeem eloquently discussed the importance of representation in media and how it can influence the aspirations and opportunities of Black youth. Hardison ponders his experience with the television series “A Different World” and how it impacted the attendance of Black students in college during its airing. The nation has not witnessed a significant increase in Black student enrollment in HBCUs since the airing of the series and subsequent years. As a result, Kadeem and his past castmates feel a deep connection to their community, heritage, and lineage, and are determined to revive that same impact. The show’s depiction of HBCU life deeply connected with viewers, motivating a new wave of students to seek higher education and embrace the rich heritage of historically Black institutions.

This HBCU tour aims to bring about influence and change for all HBCUs across the country, as there hasn’t been any other scripted programming like “A Different World” on air that has achieved that level of influence.

Photography Credit: Dexter Brown