The popular early-90s sitcom “A Different World” revolved around characters attending an Historically Black College or University (HBCU), higher learning institutions created to provide a safe space primarily for African Americans. One of the show’s central characters, Dwayne Cleofis Wayne, showed along with his fellow classmates the progression of young Black people at an HBCU in a way not previously depicted on television. Kadeem Hardison, who played Dwayne, is thankful for those viewers who were positively moved and inspired by him.
The Brooklyn-born actor originally felt everything about Dwayne was “corny”—the way he dressed, spoke, and even his now iconic glasses. “When [the show’s executive producer] offered me the glasses, I just thought, ‘Anything I can have that’ll hide me, that people maybe [would] not recognize me,’” said Hardison.
He didn’t initially see “A Different World” as a potential TV hit. His insecurities as a young actor prevented him from committing to his character at first, and the glasses were his shield of protection: “Whatever I could do to disguise myself.”Unbeknownst to Hardison, 30-plus years later, his character is still well known. He is now proud of Dwayne and the glasses, which led to Hardison’s publicist, Jayce Baron, initiating contact between Vontélle owners Tracy Green and Nancey Harris. Vontélle, a luxury eyewear company owned, designed, and operated by Black women, was founded in 2019 to satisfy the demand for better fitting, vibrant, fashion forward glasses. Spring 2024 appeared to be the ideal time for a new collaboration: DEEMED.
The new company united Hardison with Vontélle via launching their flip-up aviator collection inspired by the legendary character Dwayne Wayne. The collaborative vision merged quality craftsmanship and nostalgia for a “fresh reimagined collection offering a contemporary and stylish accessory for enthusiasts of iconic eyewear,” as stated in the company’s press release. Hardison’s signature and character’s name are engraved inside every pair of DEEMED frames.
“It’s a twist on his glasses from the show,” said Green. “They have the flip-up, but we made it very fancy.”
Hardison said he didn’t think about a glasses line when he should have, during or even after the show. He told Baron it would be “a great idea” now and they found Green and Harris. Hardison was very pleased with the Vontélle owners after a couple of Zoom meetings; they were also from Brooklyn and had attended Morgan State University, an HBCU. “They were the ones,” said Hardison. “It was easy—they were it immediately.” He was thrilled with Green and Harris creating his exact vision.
TL Holmes photos
Vontélle x DEEMED collection: Dwayne Chestnut, Cleofis Cerulean, Dwayne Blush and Cleofis Silver. 
Actor Kadeem Hardison with his publicist Jayce Baron at Vontélle x DEEMED launch party. 
Actor Kadeem Hardison with Vontélle co-founder Tracy Green at Vontélle x DEEMED launch party. 
Actor Kadeem Hardison and Vontélle co-founder Tracy Green with staff at launch party. 
Actor Kadeem Hardison with AmNews reporter Brenika Banks at Vontélle x DEEMED launch party. 
Guests and supporters in NYC at Vontélle x DEEMED launch party.
Hardison and Vontélle designed four styles of the “Dwayne,” which are gold metal with clip-on colors of Chestnut and Blush. The designs with the middle name “Cleofis” are silver metal with clip-on colors of Silver and Cerulean.
“One of the components was [being] Black female owned,” said Baron. “We wanted to be specific with who we’re working with and representing as well.”
Co-founder Tracy Green was ecstatic for the company’s official first launch party in NYC a few weeks ago.
“Our website opened [in] October 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, so we never got to do a press party,” said Green. “We just kind of launched the website, and that was it.”
“[Green and Harris] wanted to know exactly what I wanted,” said Hardison. The frames were originally round frames until Hardison voiced that he prefers aviators. “They laid it out to my specifics and now I wear them all the time,” said Hardison. “They’re my glasses.”
He described the day of Vontélle x DEEMED’s launch party as “amazing.” Hardison’s exciting promo run throughout NYC for both Showtime’s “The Chi” and “A Different World” reunion tour was the perfect free promotional attention Vontélle needed.
“Since the launch, it’s been amazing because he is getting so much press,” said Green. “We’re selling out.” Hardison has been sure to mention Vontélle in every interview. “It’s helping bring awareness to our eyewear brand because he’s a star,” said Green.
Hardison said his Kadeem Hardison Scholarship Fund is “the best part” of this experience—“To be able to send some of the proceeds to a scholarship fund to help somebody do what I pretended to do on television, which was go to college and have that experience,” said Hardison.
Green is fascinated with HBCU representation making its way back to TV and streaming services. Furthermore, she said the company is delighted with the outcome and response of the new collection.
“I’m looking forward to the next,” said Hardison. “Let’s come up with another angle and, again, help some lucky kids go to school—get educated.”
For more information, visit www.vontelle.com.