KINGSTON, Jamaica — A unique fusion of high style, cinematic entertainment and charitable giving is set to take over one of Kingston’s most popular cinemas later this month, as the local non-profit Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) prepares to host a star-studded red carpet premiere of *The Devil Wears Prada 2* at the Carib 5 cinema on April 30.
Event organisers shared details of the occasion, noting that the evening will kick off with an opening cocktail reception at 7:30 pm, designed to blend the glitz and energy of a high-fashion runway with meaningful fundraising for grassroots community projects. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their most polished, “runway magazine-ready” ensembles to match the glamorous theme, all while contributing to causes that lift up vulnerable communities across the island.
Founded in November 2003, WLI has built its reputation over two decades driving tangible progress across four core mission pillars: public health access, early childhood education, mentorship for young people, and advocacy for gender equity and community empowerment. Unlike many large non-profits that operate at a national level disconnected from local needs, WLI has prioritized hands-on, long-term interventions that create lasting improvement for Jamaican communities.
Operating under the umbrella of its parent organization, the United Way of Jamaica, WLI has already delivered critical support to female smallholder farmers in the parish of St Elizabeth who are still rebuilding their livelihoods after devastating losses from recent hurricanes. Most recently, the group successfully wrapped up another installment of its widely praised “Conversations with Boys” program, which offers targeted guidance and social support to young men making the critical transition from primary to secondary education — a period that often shapes long-term life outcomes for at-risk youth.
Mentorship sits at the very center of WLI’s long-term mission, and the organization continues to actively support the 2025 cohort of the COJO mentorship initiative, a program that was a deeply held passion project of the late Jamaican community leader Marcia Erskine. At the core of WLI’s ongoing fundraising work is the VOUCH program, which backs the development and daily operations of two key local institutions: the Sylvia Foote Basic School and its connected nursery, and the Mary Issa Clinic, both of which deliver essential free and low-cost services to residents of the surrounding neighborhood.
A statement from WLI released to the press on Sunday confirmed that all proceeds generated from ticket sales and donations at the premiere event will go directly toward funding these ongoing community initiatives. This structure ensures that every moment of Hollywood-style glamour at the event translates directly to measurable, on-the-ground change for Jamaicans in need.
The upcoming charity premiere has received broad support from a roster of leading Jamaican corporate sponsors, including the Jamaica Observer, Select Brands, Edgechem, Sagicor Group Jamaica, Barita Investments Limited, InnerHub Consulting Services Ltd, Allied Insurance Brokers, Popeyes Jamaica, Island Grill, Palace Amusement Company, and SEAR 274.