My girlhood heroine was Denise Huxtable from The Cosby Show and A Different World, portrayed by actress Lisa Bonet. Denise was the big sister I never had. As the oldest of three children with two younger brothers, I often felt the weight of responsibility without having an older sibling to model what growing up could look like. Denise filled that gap for me. She showed me that being a young Black girl could be joyful, expressive, curious, and beautifully unique from everyone else around me.
I thought Denise Huxtable was incredibly cool. Her fashion sense was bold and creative, and I wanted to emulate her style. More than her clothes, though, it was her spirit that drew me in. I was more of a studious, conscientious child who followed rules closely, but Denise’s free-spirited nature fascinated me. She questioned expectations, explored who she was, and allowed herself room to change. Watching her helped me understand that there wasn’t just one “right” way to be a Black girl or young woman.
Denise was also a loving and imperfect big sister to her three younger siblings, which resonated deeply with me. She made mistakes, but she cared deeply, and she showed tenderness alongside independence. Through the Huxtable family, I saw a reflection of my own upbringing. As a Black child growing up in a working-class family, I was surrounded by middle-to-upper-class Black professional influences through extended family, family friends, employers, and our church community. The Cosbys’ sociocultural position felt familiar and affirming, mirroring the multifaceted reality of Black life in America—rooted in aspiration, complexity, and cultural pride.
When Denise left home to attend the fictional Hillman College on A Different World, my world also expanded. Through her journey, I learned about the history, legacy, and importance of HBCUs within the Black community. Denise’s presence at Hillman helped plant seeds of pride, possibility, and curiosity about Black education and excellence.
Denise Huxtable, beautifully portrayed by Lisa Bonet, mattered to me because she made me feel seen and inspired as a Black girl. Through both Denise and Lisa, I learned that growth doesn’t have to be linear, that creativity and intelligence can coexist, and that being yourself—fully and unapologetically—is a powerful act. Their influence remains with me, shaping how I understand identity, freedom, and becoming.
-Dr. Kelli Racine Barnes