ICYMI: Our First-Ever NextWave Network Interest Meeting
A recap of what we shared, what we’re building, and what’s next for the Be Different Foundation's mentorship community.
On May 28th, the Be Different Foundation hosted our first virtual interest meeting for prospective mentees and mentors interested in the NextWave Network. We are excited to see all of the public interest in the launch of our program. Today, we are sharing highlights and key details of our meeting, as well as what you can do to become involved in our program.
About the Be Different Foundation
In 2019, our CEO Bianca Dacres was inspired by the sense of community found at Florida A&M University, and founded the Be Different foundation to build a strong virtual community for undergraduate students. Our mission is to create a supportive and engaging environment where students can connect, share experiences, and thrive together. We value community, professional development, and creativity. To support and uplift individuals in higher education, we offer a semesterly internship program, scholarships, and other targeted outreach programs.
Launching the NextWave Network
The NextWave Network is a mentorship program created to bridge the gap between higher education and early career development. College students will be paired with recent graduates and young professionals to gain real-world guidance and support both career exploration and leadership growth. We want to equip mentees with practical tools and experience, while providing mentors the opportunity to give back and refine their own skills. Fundamentally, we want to build a strong virtual community, and provide support to participants. We hope to bring together individuals from various academic and professional backgrounds to ensure diversity and meaningful connections.
Program Overview and Participant Experience
The NextWave Network is a fully virtual, 9-month program running from September 2025 to May 2026. It is designed to support early career development and leadership growth. Participants can expect regular mentor-mentee meetings, themed workshops, and interactive events that align with each stage of the academic and career journeys. The program kicks off in September with a virtual orientation, followed by sessions to focus on building trust, setting goals, and connecting with the community. As the year progresses, topics will shift towards leadership development, academic-to-career transitions, job preparation, and post-graduate planning. The program will close off with a celebration in May.
Throughout the program, participants will receive ongoing support and curated resources, including onboarding guides, conversation templates, and access to a program coordinator. Monthly newsletters, drop-in sessions, and a resource hub will help keep everyone informed and engaged. In addition to the vast resources, the NextWave Network will focus on identity-based pairing, ensuring that mentors and mentees are chosen based on similar experiences and aspirations. This structure, combined with resources and support, ensures that every participant is empowered to grow, connect, and succeed throughout the year.
How to Join the Network
Getting involved with the NextWave Network is easy! Applications open on July 1, 2025, and will be accepted through the end of the month. During this time, our team will host interesting meetings to encourage a diverse pool of applicants. Selected participants will be given their mentor-mentee matches from early to mid August. To stay informed, we encourage you to stay engaged by subscribing to the newsletter or expressing your interest via the program form.
We are extremely excited about what’s ahead for the NextWave Network and express gratitude to anyone who has expressed interest in the program. This program represents more than just mentorship; it is the start of a supportive, empowering community built on the basis of mutual growth. As we prepare to launch this program, we remain committed to ensure a meaningful experience for every participant. We can’t wait to welcome our first cohort in the fall and begin this journey together. Have any questions or want to stay in the loop? Reach out anytime or follow us on social media for updates!
Watch Our Recording
Couldn’t make it to the live session? You can still experience everything we shared during the NextWave Network Interest Meeting by watching the full recording. Learn more about the goals behind our mentorship program, the structure and timeline, and how to get involved ahead of our first cohort launch this fall. The video is embedded above for easy viewing, or you can access it directly on our YouTube channel.
