Charnele Brown

Karen Charnele Brown (née Dozier; born October 30, 1960) is an American actress, producer, writer, fashion designer and singer.

Brown made her Broadway debut in 1989 as the first American member of the South African musical "Sarafina!"

Other stage performances have included the roles of Polly and Delores in "The Trials and Tribulations of Stagger Lee Brown," Ruby in "The Lord's Will," Marty in "Sisters" and Mable in "My Diary."

After A Different World ended, Brown guest starred on sitcoms such as Living Single, Martin, and Girlfriends.

She made a brief appearance in a movie titled How Ya Like Me Now? that starred Darnell Williams and Salli Richardson.

She is known for her roles as Paula in the 1992 film How Ya Like Me Now and as Kimberly Reese on NBC comedy sitcom A Different World from 1988 until 1993.

Born in East Hampton, Brown is a graduate of East Hampton High School.

Brown later attended the State University of New York at New Paltz Where she studied acting with other notables, including Aida Turturro.

In 2000, Brown founded The Charnele Brown Acting Academy at Yates High School in Houston, Texas.