Alisa Gyse Dickens portrayed Kinu Owens in 8 episodes of the NBC sitcom A DIFFERENT WORLD. She also was in 2 uncredited roles one before and the other after her stint as Ms. Owens. Kinu arrived at Hillman College in the first episode of season 4. She was a girlfriend that Dwayne, (Kadeem Hardison) had hooked up with while in Japan. She was a student at Avery College which was not far from Hillman but spent as much time in the Pit as Hillman students. Dickens, like many others who were on this spin-off of THE COSBY SHOW, made an impression on the viewers but is not included in cast reunions.

Sinbad who portrayed Walter Oakes in seasons one through four and Dawn Lewis who left after season five are always included with Jasmine Guy, Darryl Bell, and Kadeem Hardison who were on the series for the entire six-year run. Charnelle Brown who played Kim Reece and Cree Summer, (Freddie Brooks) came aboard in season two and they are also involved in reunion projects. Alisa Gyse's one year of being a foil for Whitley does not put her with those who are considered the mainstays of the series cast.