EBONY Unites Past and Present Hillman Students for September Cover

The cover features legacy stars Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Cree Summer, and Darryl M. Bell alongside newcomers Maleah Joi Moon, Chibuikem Uche, Cornell Young IV, Jordan Aaron Hall, Alijah Kai, and Kennedi Reece. This gathering serves as a symbolic passing of the torch, highlighting how the show’s original focus on the Black college experience continues to resonate in an era defined by social media and rapid cultural shifts.

Eden Bridgeman, CEO of EBONY, stated that the magazine aims to honor the show’s history while providing space for new voices to define the next chapter. The issue moves beyond nostalgia, examining the pressures of modern adulthood and the weight of cultural expectations. By documenting the exchange between the original cast and the new students, the magazine explores how the ideals of Black excellence and community are being reinterpreted for a digital-first audience. The full feature is currently available through EBONY’s digital platform.