Shirley Bennett, portrayed by Yvette Nicole Brown, left Greendale Community College to care for her ailing father and later started her own business.
In the show “Community,” Shirley Bennett is a core member of the study group. Her character is known for being a religious, single mother who is often the voice of reason within the group. Over the course of the series, Shirley’s personal life and aspirations outside of school are explored, including her interest in starting a business.
In Season 5, it is revealed that Shirley has taken time off from school to take care of her father, who is sick. This storyline was written in to accommodate Yvette Nicole Brown’s own personal situation, as she requested to leave the show to care for her ailing father in real life.
Later, in the sixth season, which aired on Yahoo! Screen after NBC canceled the show, Shirley’s absence is explained by the character’s decision to start her own business. She becomes a successful entrepreneur, running a company that sells her signature sandwiches, which is a nod to her culinary talents shown throughout the series. This development allows Shirley to have a fulfilling arc, even though she is no longer a regular character on the show. Yvette Nicole Brown made a guest appearance in the final season to give closure to Shirley’s storyline.