A DIFFERENT WORLD

Watch Party: World Premiere & HBCU Study Abroad Fundraiser

📅 Thursday, September 24, 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
📍 Wine O’Clock | Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Hosted by Rasheed Dennis (Clark Atlanta University) & Khadeejah Clemons (Howard University)

🎧 Sounds by DJ EB N’ Flow

Join us in Playa del Carmen for a special A Different World Watch Party celebrating the World Premiere, bringing together HBCU alumni, Divine Nine members, Playa’s international community, families, friends, and supporters for an evening of culture, connection, storytelling, fellowship, and giving back.

We’re especially proud to celebrate Felicia Pride, creator and showrunner of A Different World and a member of our Playa del Carmen community, while using this evening to support the next generation of HBCU students experiencing Mexico.

🎬 A WORLD PREMIERE WITH A PURPOSE

This event will serve as a fundraiser benefiting students participating in CECAT Abroad’s Writers Circle: Collective Writing Expressions in English Winter Break Program, taking place January 2–9, 2027, in Oaxaca, Mexico.

The Writers Circle encourages students to develop their individual voices, strengthen their writing, engage with other writers and creatives, and use Oaxaca's distinct cultural environment for self-reflection and original work.

Students will also have opportunities to share their writing and other forms of expression with one another, Oaxaca's local community, and members of the Black community living in Oaxaca—including professors, poets, published authors, playwrights, creatives, and other cultural voices.

Learn more about CECAT Abroad:
https://www.cecatabroad.org/

🎯 OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL: $3,600–$6,000

Approximately 12 students are expected to participate in the January Writers Circle program.

Our goal is to provide each student with $300–$500 in spending money for their week in Oaxaca.

12 Students
$300–$500 Per Student
$3,600–$6,000 Total Goal

We want these students to arrive in Mexico comfortable and ready to fully embrace their experience without worrying about personal spending money.

The funds will allow students to enjoy local restaurants, shop with local vendors, explore Oaxaca, experience its arts and culture, and directly support the local economy.

We support HBCU students. HBCU students experience Mexico. Their dollars support Oaxaca's local economy. 🇲🇽

🎓 HBCUs REPRESENTED

Clark Atlanta University
Howard University
Tuskegee University
Hampton University
Alabama State University
Spelman College
Morehouse College
Morgan State University

Whether one of these institutions is your alma mater or you simply believe in supporting HBCU students, international education, cultural exchange, and the next generation of writers and storytellers, we invite you to contribute.

❤️ HELP US SPONSOR 12 STUDENTS

12 students. $300–$500 each. One unforgettable week in Oaxaca.

Every contribution gets us closer.

🎓 GIVE YOUR FOUNDING YEAR

Represent your HBCU by making a contribution inspired by the year your alma mater was founded:

Clark Atlanta University — 1988 → $19.88
Howard University — 1867 → $18.67
Tuskegee University — 1881 → $18.81
Hampton University — 1868 → $18.68
Alabama State University — 1867 → $18.67
Spelman College — 1881 → $18.81
Morehouse College — 1867 → $18.67
Morgan State University — 1867 → $18.67

Give your year. Represent your school. Support the next generation. ❤️

Or choose one of our giving levels:

✍🏾 $25 — THE WRITERS CIRCLE SUPPORTER
Helps with meals and everyday expenses.

🇲🇽 $50 — THE OAXACA EXPERIENCE SUPPORTER
Helps a student explore Oaxaca and support local businesses.

🌍 $100 — THE BIGGER WORLD SUPPORTER
Covers a meaningful portion of one student's spending money.

🎓 $300 — SPONSOR A STUDENT
Fully funds our minimum spending-money goal for one student.

⭐ $500 — FULL EXPERIENCE SPONSOR
Fully funds our maximum spending-money goal for one student.

❤️ CAN’T MAKE IT TO PLAYA? YOU CAN STILL GIVE.

You do not have to attend the World Premiere Watch Party to make an impact.

Select our “Donation Only — I Can't Attend, But I Want to Support” option and contribute from anywhere in the world.

Attend. Donate. Share. Sponsor a Student. Represent Your HBCU.

🎟️ ADMISSION + FOOD & BEVERAGE

Your RSVP/admission provides access to the A Different World Watch Party: World Premiere & HBCU Study Abroad Fundraiser.

Food and beverages are available for purchase directly from Wine O’Clock and are separate from admission.

Guests are encouraged to arrive at 7:00 PM, order food and drinks, connect with the community, and get settled before Episode 1 begins.

🍷 The evening will also feature a La Fête Wine experience.

❤️ Guests 18 and under receive complimentary admission when accompanied by an adult. Families are welcome, and you're encouraged to bring your well-behaved children and young people to experience the HBCU culture, fellowship, storytelling, international perspective, and spirit of giving.

Fundraising contributions are separate from admission and food/beverage purchases.

🍷 EVENING SCHEDULE

7:00 PM — Doors Open + Welcome Reception
Arrivals, food & drinks, La Fête Wine experience, networking & fellowship

7:30 PM — A Different World | Episode 1

Intermission
HBCU Study Abroad Fundraiser + community fellowship

8:30 PM — A Different World | Episode 2

9:00 PM – 11:00 PM — After-Vibe
Sounds by DJ EB N’ Flow

👕 WHAT TO WEAR

Represent your culture. Represent your school. Represent your organization.

Come dressed in your favorite HBCU, college, or Divine Nine apparel and show your pride.

🌍 FROM A DIFFERENT WORLD TO A BIGGER WORLD

The original A Different World helped generations imagine the possibilities of Black college life.

Now we have an opportunity to help today's HBCU students experience an even bigger world—through international travel, writing, cultural immersion, Mexico, and community.

One night in Playa del Carmen can help make one incredible week in Oaxaca even more meaningful for approximately 12 HBCU students.

Come watch A Different World.
Come represent your HBCU.
Come fellowship with the Divine Nine.
Come support HBCU students studying abroad.

And if you can't join us in Playa:

Give from wherever you are. ❤️

Help us raise $3,600–$6,000 so approximately 12 students can arrive in Oaxaca with $300–$500 each and the freedom to fully experience Mexico.

Learn more about CECAT Abroad:
https://www.cecatabroad.org/

A DIFFERENT WORLD

Watch Party: World Premiere & HBCU Study Abroad Fundraiser

Thursday, September 24 | Playa del Carmen, Mexico

12 Students. $300–$500 Each. One Bigger World. 🌎❤️