Two Brown alumni, Tracee Ellis Ross — Bow, on ABC’s <em>black-ish</em> — and Jonathan Groff, executive producer for the show, worked on an episode in which Brown University has a central role.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Brunoians watching Wednesday night’s episode of the hit ABC show blackish might find some familiarity with the plot line. In the episode, titled “Charlie in Charge,” airing Nov. 11 at 10 p.m., main characters Andre (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) take their daughter Zoey to visit Brown.

“The show wanted to feature Brown because it’s the best school ever — well ... also because we needed a school to go to on a college visit,” said Ross. “Both myself and Jonothan Groff, one of our executive producers, went to Brown, so we just thought it was a perfect match.”

According to TV Guide, “Bow's excitement about her alma mater turns into a series of embarrassing moments that could turn Zoey off from the school altogether.” While the show didn't actually film the episode in Providence, viewers will likely recognize some of the references made to campus and the surrounding College Hill area.

“It was really exciting to work on an episode about Brown,” Ross said. “The only disappointing part was that I didn’t actually get to go back to campus to shoot.”

It’s an example of life imitating art. Ross, like her character Rainbow, is a 1994 Brown alumnus. She made her own visit last May, when Brown conferred an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts on her, honoring both her performing arts work and her development of motivational workshops she has organized nationwide to help others lead better lives.

Ross shared that honor with her social media followers: “Well, I’m officially Dr. Ross. This was HUGE to be honored this way by my Alma Mater @BrownU. ... I am humbled by this moment!”