Woody McClain Talks HBCU Culture, ‘A Different World’ & The Role That Changed His Career at Circle City Classic
Circle City Classic 2026 took over Indianapolis, and HOT 100.9’s CVBER caught up with this year’s Grand Marshal, Woody McClain, during the celebration.
From his own HBCU experience at Florida A&M University to portraying Bobby Brown in The New Edition Story and Cane Tejada in Power Book II: Ghost, McClain has built a career filled with roles connected to Black culture and entertainment.
While joining Indianapolis for Circle City Classic, McClain chopped it up with CVBER about why events celebrating HBCU culture still matter, how Drumline and A Different World influenced his own college journey, and which role he believes changed the trajectory of his career.
Woody McClain Wants To See The Community “Back Outside”
For McClain, serving as Grand Marshal was about more than leading the Circle City Classic Parade. The FAMU alum reflected on his own college experience and the importance of bringing that same sense of community and support to events today.
“When I was going to FAMU, it was just packed,” McClain told CVBER. “Everybody outside, everybody support.”
McClain said he wants to see people getting back outside, supporting their communities and making sure the next generation gets involved.
“We got to get everybody back outside,” McClain said. “We got to get the community pushing. We got to get the kids involved, and we got to really be great out here.”
That sense of community was on full display throughout Circle City Classic weekend as Indianapolis came together to celebrate HBCU culture, music, entertainment and tradition.
‘Drumline’ Inspired Woody McClain To Want To Go To College
During the conversation, CVBER asked McClain about the importance of HBCU representation returning to television through the new generation of A Different World.
For McClain, representation like that had a real impact on his own life.
“Entertainment, it pushes us forward,” McClain said.
He revealed that Drumline was actually one of the movies that first inspired him to consider attending college.
“When I seen Drumline, Drumline was the movie that made me want to go to college,” McClain said. “And then I started learning more about colleges.”
His exploration of HBCU culture eventually led him back to another classic.
“I went back and watched A Different World. That changed my whole perspective.”
Now, with a new generation getting the opportunity to experience Hillman and HBCU life on screen, McClain is excited about what the series could mean for the culture.
“I’m super excited about the new spinoff and what they’re going to do for the culture.”
Bobby Brown or Cane: Which Role Changed Woody McClain’s Career More?
McClain has brought several memorable characters to television, but CVBER had one final question: Between playing Bobby Brown and Cane Tejada, which role had the biggest impact on his career?
It didn’t take long for McClain to give Bobby his flowers.
“I’m going to say Bobby because it was the first one,” McClain said. “That’s what introduced me to the world. I’m going to put Bobby up there.”
McClain’s portrayal of Bobby Brown in The New Edition Story introduced him to audiences on a major scale before he returned to the role for The Bobby Brown Story.
He later took on another fan-favorite role as Cane Tejada in Power Book II: Ghost, further establishing himself on television.
But when it comes to the role that helped start it all, Bobby Brown still holds the top spot for McClain.
HOT 100.9 Was Outside For Circle City Classic 2026
From celebrating HBCU culture to conversations with some of the biggest names participating in the weekend, HOT 100.9 was outside for Circle City Classic 2026.
And if Woody McClain has anything to say about it, the culture needs to keep coming outside.
Watch HOT 100.9’s CVBER chop it up with Circle City Classic Grand Marshal Woody McClain above, and stay locked in with HOT 100.9 for more interviews, videos and moments from Circle City Classic weekend.
