Uplift: She discusses A Different World and her groundbreaking role as a Black female captain in Star Trek: Lower Decks.

In this episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass, host Rashawn McDonald sits down with Dawn Lewis, the iconic actress best known for her role as Jaleesa in the groundbreaking series A Different World. Lewis reflects on her multifaceted career as a singer, actress, voiceover artist, songwriter, and philanthropist, tracing her journey from a young performer in New York’s High School of Music and Art to becoming a trailblazing Black female captain in Star Trek: Lower Decks. She discusses how her early success in music and theater—earning a spot in the Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame and recording with legends like Quincy Jones and Patrice Rushen—was initially overshadowed by the industry’s tendency to pigeonhole her after A Different World. Yet, she embraced voice acting, which has spanned over 30 years, allowing her to voice characters across major franchises like The Simpsons, Futurama, and Star Trek. Lewis also shares the inspiration behind her nonprofit, the A New Day Foundation, which empowers teens through financial and technological education, scholarships, and mentorship. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of staying true to one’s multifaceted identity in a world that often demands conformity.