By Brooks Welch
You may remember her as Charmaine Brown in the hit 1980s-90s sitcom ‘A Different World,’ but did you know Karen Malina White is a graduate of the real HU, Howard University? Recently the actress sat down with The Shade Room to promote her revived role in ‘The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,’ as Dijonay Jones, best friend of Penny Proud (voiced by Kyla Pratt).
‘The Proud Family’ is a Disney Original animated series that first aired in 2001. The show was groundbreaking for its authentic representation of Black families, moral lessons, and its ability to handle real topics like cultural and religious differences, poverty, and bullying in a light hearted and funny way.
Along with Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones and Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, the show revives the original voices of almost every main character: Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby, Aries Spears as Wizard Kelly, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez, and Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey.
New to the series is Keke Palmer and artist “A Boogie” as siblings Maya and KG Leibowitz-Jenkins, Billy Porter and Zachary Quinto as the Leibowitzes, and EJ Johnson as Michael Collins. The theme song, originally recorded by Solange Knowles and Destiny’s Child, has been revamped by R&B singer Joyce Wrice in collaboration with original series composer, songwriter, and producer Kurt Farquhar.
In the recent interview, White shared other roles she’d love to revive besides Dijonay. “I’m a Howard [Howard University] girl,” she said. “We have the vice president, who is also a Bison. There’s just been a really great resurgence in terms of really giving HBCUs their due. I think it would be a perfect time to have ‘A Different World,’ reboot.
Stream ‘The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder’ now on Disney+.
Watch more of the interview in The Shade Room’s post below:
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