When A Different World hit TV screens in 1987, it did more than entertain—it inspired. Set at the fictional Hillman College, the show gave Black students a vision of higher education that felt real and reachable. Fast forward nearly four decades, and Hillman’s spirit is back, this time on TikTok.
In response to Donald Trump’s push to dismantle diversity programs and gut the Department of Education, a new movement called HillmanTok has emerged. It started with a simple video. Professor Leah Barlow posted a short intro for her African studies class on the day that Trump returned to office. Overnight, it exploded—millions of views, thousands of new ‘students,’ and a ripple effect across Black academic spaces online.
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Inspired by Barlow’s momentum, sixth-grade teacher Cierra Hinton launched the hashtag #HillmanTok to bring even more Black educators into the fold. The result? A grassroots, crowd-taught, digital HBCU. Real professors and professionals now teach everything from math and history to screenwriting and engineering, making inclusive, relevant education free and accessible.
I thought it was going to be a trend for a short time, and then we’d move on to the next thing
Leah Barlow
Education under threat
This couldn’t come at a more urgent time. Trump has already frozen grants, targeted inclusive curricula, and moved to shut down the Department of Education. Meanwhile, HBCUs—long underfunded—continue to fight for survival. A 2023 investigation found they missed out on over $13 billion in federal support over the years.
More than just surviving, HillmanTok is growing into something powerful. Like the show that inspired it, the platform is built by the community, focused on students, and proudly Black. While some now try to capitalize on the Hillman name, filing trademarks and launching merch, educators like Barlow stay rooted in the mission.
For Barlow, HillmanTok is a way for the community to support each other when the system doesn’t. And just like A Different World once did, it’s helping a new generation believe in their future.
Key Takeaways
HillmanTok, inspired by the classic American TV show ‘A Different World,’ has rekindled the rich heritage of Black education on TikTok, boldly countering cuts to diversity initiatives and educational funding.
- Impact: The rollback of diversity programs and the reduced funding for HBCUs during the Trump era pose a serious threat to quality educational opportunities for Black communities in America.
- Action: Educators and professionals are leveraging TikTok to launch HillmanTok—a free, accessible, and inclusive digital learning platform built for today’s American learners.
- Empowerment: By staying true to their mission and fostering a community-driven environment, HillmanTok educators are ensuring that Black students have access to high-quality education and the inspiration to pursue their American dreams.
