Cheyney University

Led by team captain Qiana Woodard, Cheyney University reimagines the A Different World opening through the history, culture, and student life of the nation’s first HBCU.

Featuring students from athletics, the Honors Academy, Glee Club, Royal Court, student government, and other campus organizations, the submission celebrates the scholarship, leadership, talent, and pride that define the Cheyney experience today.

The video highlights the Marcus A. Foster Student Union, honoring the Cheyney alumnus and educator who became Oakland’s first Black superintendent, and the Marian Anderson Music Center, named for the pioneering performer who broke racial barriers in classical music. The team connects Cheyney’s beginnings in 1837 with a new generation carrying its legacy forward.

Acknowledgments: The team thanks the Cheyney students and staff who participated and helped bring the vision to life.