Shaltreece Chandler
Development Volunteer and
Brand Ambassador for WIF’s Youth Veterinarian Initiative

We first learned about Shaltreece Chandler because of her children’s book, Kelsie 100, which teaches kids financial literacy through a girl who saves money to build a zoo. We quickly realized that her numerous skills and interests completely align with ours, and we welcomed her aboard as a volunteer in December 2023.

Shaltreece “Shal” Chandler is a project management consultant who has dedicated more than 25 years leading, serving, building and transforming organizations. Working at her best in environments where she is contributing to a cause or outcome greater than herself, she describes herself as “a creative and strategic thinker who cares about people and leverages both pragmatic and out-of-the-box thinking to solve problems and inspire a shared vision of what’s possible.”

When we first met, Chandler told us about her desire to support us and shared that she believed she could use her business experience and acumen to help raise money to strengthen our infrastructure as well as fund our projects and programs.  She officially signed up as a volunteer in December 2023.

In addition to being a consummate business professional, Chandler is incredibly creative.  When we learned about her children’s book—Kelsie 100—and her love of reading aloud to children, we saw the alignment with our Literacy Strategic Focus Area (SFA).

Because we had combined our STEAM Education and Literacy SFAs in our Youth Veterinarian Initiative, the fact that Chandler’s main character was a little Black girl who wanted to save money to build a zoo was an unexpected bonus.

Shal Chandler wearing Kelsie 100 t-shirt

Chandler became passionate about the initiative and began to look for ways that she could bring our work in STEAM Education to Michigan, where she currently resides.

We made her our YVI brand ambassador in January 2024, and she wasted no time in her new role!

In February 2024, she introduced WIF and Dr. Tori Ellis of our partner organization, Mindfulness & STEAM Lab, to the Michigan State University Extension in East Lansing.  This led to invitations to participate in the MSU 4-H Animal and Veterinary Science Camp in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

The 2024 camp was the first to include mindfulness as part of the curriculum and the first to utilize the services of an organization external to MSU.

Dr. Tori Ellis and Shal Chandler at
MSU 4-H Animal & Veterinary Science Camp

In keeping with WIF’s mission to expose girls to STEAM careers, Chandler connected us with Girl Scouts of Southeast Michigan (GSSEM).  Through her outreach, we received $1500 from the Girl Scout Troop 78014 (raised through cookie sales) at the University Liggett School to support the purchase of a hydroponic garden. 

We sent the money back to the school, and they purchased the towers directly.

This supported the raising of edible produce for the school while providing hands-on STEM learning experiences and instilling a sense of environmental stewardship in the minds of students.

Shal Chandler and hydroponic towers

As a further introduction of WIF to the Greater Detroit Metropolitan Area, Chandler organized a unique event at the newly completed MaryAnn Wright Animal Adoption and Education Center in Dearborn, MI.

On Thursday, May 29, Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit partnered with the Wells International Foundation (WIF) to host “Sound & Sanctuary: A Concert for Canines and Cats” from 3-4 p.m.

Ackeem Salmon was the featured artist.  He played the harp for the dogs and cats while the general public walked through the facility in search of animals to adopt.

Left to right: Nova Zorok of Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit, Ackeem Salmon, and Shal Chandler

In July 2025, Chandler had the opportunity to read Kelsie 100 aloud to two groups of children that WIF serves through our STEAM Education/Literacy initiative in our home town of Houston, TX.  We are excited that her passion for our work continues to grow.

As we enter our second decade of service, we look forward to having Chandler work with us to raise funds to sustain our ability to expand our impact in Michigan, the rest of the U.S., and the world.

Erica Handy
Brand Ambassador for WIF’s
 Entrée to Black Paris Cultural Awareness Program

Erica Handy reached out to WIF in April 2023 to express interest in volunteering for our ADCI Paris group.  Her undying passion for travel and study abroad and for Paris led to her becoming the first brand ambassador for our Entrée to Black Paris Cultural Awareness program.

Erica Handy is passionate about history, language, and culture, especially as they pertain to the African Diaspora.  She is a strong advocate for African Americans learning languages, traveling and studying abroad.

Handy designs cultural, educational, and global learning experiences that help people connect more deeply with history, place, and the world around them.  With a B.A. in Foreign Languages with a concentration in French and a minor in Spanish from Jackson State University and a professional background spanning museum education, cultural programming, historical interpretation, and heritage tourism, she is committed to creating meaningful travel experiences for diverse audiences.

Her approach to curating African diaspora-inspired Parisian itineraries is rooted in connection, curiosity, and cultural understanding.

Handy was formerly employed at the International Museum of Muslim Cultures in Jackson, MS.  She began as an intern, then served as an executive assistant and Director of Historical and Cultural Tours. In this post, she educated thousands over a ten-year period on the literate culture of Timbuktu through the museum’s premier exhibit, The Legacy of Timbuktu: Wonders of the Written Word.

In 2015, she participated in a Human Diversity and Social Justice Abroad program in Paris through Jackson State University. Her coursework focused on value systems and cultural anomalies, which provided a framework for understanding how race, class, gender, ethnicity, religion and privilege affect immigrants in France.

This course immersed Handy in experiences that allowed her to witness a Paris many visitors never get to see, and the working class neighborhoods of Belleville, la Goutte d’Or and Saint-Denis became her classroom.

Places of interest visited included:

• A Tunisian community center in Belleville where immigrants shared their stories including their struggles and triumphs while living in Paris

• L’Institut des Cultures d’Islam (Institute of Islamic Cultures)

Institute of Islamic Cultures

• “Little India” and Temple Ganesh, a Hindu temple

• Musée national de l’histoire de l’immigration (National Museum of the History of Immigration) and the Buddhist temple in the neighboring Bois de Vincennes

National Museum of the History of Immigration

• Notre Dame Cathedral and the Mèmorial des Martyrs de la Deportation, the underground memorial dedicated to French citizens deported to Nazi concentration camps

• Père Lachaise Cemetery and its memorials to Auschwitz, Dachau and the French Resistance

• Grande Mosquée de Paris (Grand Mosque).

Grand Mosque of Paris

Handy described this as an amazing study abroad experience that allowed her to move beyond traditional tourist areas and see the real, everyday Paris that most people miss out on and that’s worth sharing.

Her belief that art, history, and global experiences have the power to transform how we see ourselves and each other aligns perfectly with WIF’s belief that travel is one of the two most powerful avenues to building well-rounded, open-minded, critically-thinking youth.

Currently residing in Mobile, AL, Handy is connecting WIF to local and regional schools, businesses, and organizations that can benefit from ETBP Cultural Awareness activities, projects, and programs.

Alana Manga
Inaugural Dean of Student Success 
Paris College of Art

In April 2024, WIF had the pleasure of working with the Paris College of Art (PCA) to introduce U.S. high school students from the Going Global with Barbara International Youth Leadership Program to the possibility of pursuing undergraduate education abroad.

As the college’s Director of Student Success and Registrar, Alana Manga was instrumental in organizing this life-changing visit for the program’s first all-male cohort.

For our second visit to PCA (November 2025), we are thrilled to acknowledge that Manga is working with us in a new position as Inaugural Dean of Student Success.  She graciously granted us this in-depth interview to share her trajectory to this new role and what the post means to her.

WIF:  You began your academic journey in the sciences before moving into education and student success leadership. What inspired that shift, and how do those early experiences continue to shape who you are today?

Dean Manga:  I was always drawn to teaching, reading, and how people learn. I taught my dolls as a child, and would often share my thoughts with family, neighbors, really anyone who would stand still long enough. Little Alana knew things and was going to share them!

At the same time, I observed my parents, who were influential in their spheres, demonstrating how to educate to improve the world in their professional roles. I sought to imitate how they cultivated communities of thought and care around them.  There is a ripple effect to this kind of exchange; ever enlarging and impactful, both directly and indirectly.

Pragmatically, the summer before my senior year of undergraduate study in biology, I worked on a project co-funded through the New York State Department of Labor’s Summer Youth Employment Program. My job was to tutor summer school students, developing workforce readiness lessons that aligned with curricular modules. I was HOOKED! The students were delightful, the material interesting and relevant, and it was eye-opening to me. Yes! Meaningful teaching and learning happens outside of the traditional classroom setting, too.

When I returned to my college campus after that summer, I sought out elective courses at the education department of my college. Then, after completing my undergraduate degree, I chose to begin a Master of Science in School Psychology. I wanted to investigate the praxis of small-group knowledge transmission in a non-traditional setting. Thereafter, I pursued a MA in Education and a Certificate in Educational Administration to understand the policy that undergirds the work of knowledge transmission.

Kindness, community building, non-traditional teaching and learning, and an understanding of institutional theory and practice are the gifts I have received from these experiences and carry forward.

WIF:  You’ve worn many hats over your career—teacher, counselor, professor, director, and now dean. Looking back, what thread ties all these roles together for you?​

Dean Manga: In each of my professional roles, building community with kindness has been an integral characteristic. You know, this is the real underpinning of the work of educators. We draw people closer to encourage thinking, listening, sharing ideas in order to change their lives and others around them. And I think kindness is inherent in this work; I mean that the act of teaching others demonstrates a belief of cultural community, continuity and hope.

WIF:  Paris College of Art has been your professional home for nearly a decade. What first drew you to PCA, and what keeps you inspired to contribute to its growth?​​

Dean Manga: PCA is a lovely school of arts education in the 17eme arrondissement. I happened to see their search for a registrar in 2016. I thought it would be an interesting opportunity to apply my U.S.-gained experience in an international environment. I am lucky that I am able to continue the work that I love in a school that is evolving and student-centered.

The students encourage me. They are bright, curious people, most often young adults, who are at an important stage in their human development. Their passion for their artistic/design practices is phenomenal. I enjoy watching their growth and learning about the passions that capture their artistic/design imaginations.

Paris College of Art viewed from
esplanade at boulevard Pereire

WIF:  This new position of Dean of Student Success is a milestone for both you and PCA. How did you feel when you learned you’d be stepping into this inaugural role?​​

Dean Manga: I was and am still excited! This is a strategic leadership role that directly and indirectly impacts the student experience at PCA; both pastoral care and policy. I have the privilege of knowing the students individually and collaborating with other Administrators to align positive student outcomes across multiple dimensions.

There is also a very talented Student Success alliance of creative individuals with whom I have the pleasure of collaborating. They are invested in the work of developing a continuum of support and extra-classroom learning that aligns with the curricula. I am deeply impressed with their efforts and am encouraged by their capacities to lead.

WIF:  You often speak about empowering students to take ownership of their journeys. Can you share a story of a student who reminded you why that kind of agency matters?​​

Dean Manga: I have been very lucky to be present for many illuminating moments. I think the common thread has been witnessing students’ sudden personal growth, developing situational awareness, and subsequently asking for help. There is agency in self-reflection, articulating one’s needs, and seeking assistance to fulfill them.

WIF:  Moving from the U.S. to France is no small leap. How has living and working in an international academic community influenced your views on inclusion and belonging?

Dean Manga: Situating myself in an international academic environment has emphasized the importance of building community and coalitions where I am. For this reason, I think that inclusion efforts must be personalized and meaningful.

Why?

As noted by Sara Ahmed, in her book On Being Included, institutional thought on belonging is traditional, often-shallow, and slow-moving. Thus, only relevant and consistent efforts will lead to true change over time.

Alana Manga speaking to the April 2024 all-male cohort for the Going Global with Barbara International Youth Leadership Program

WIF: You’ve served as both an educator and an advocate. What have your students—and perhaps your colleagues—taught you about resilience and creativity in challenging times?

Dean Manga: I have profited from ties to many amazing colleagues and students, many of whom were from populations that have not been traditionally welcomed in higher education. For this reason, their very presence was revolutionary and hopeful.

I have also benefited from their gifts in demonstrating that change takes time and institutions move at a glacial pace. I have witnessed colleagues, assigned to various roles within a college, foster environments that welcome all students; serving as informal mentors. In my eyes, this is the beloved community at work, regardless of budgetary constraints, limiting policies, and traditional knowledge transmission discourse.

WIF: Leadership can be both demanding and deeply fulfilling. How do you nurture your own sense of purpose while helping students find theirs?​

Dean Manga: My four children strengthen my purpose. They are the ones that give me the motivation to work with integrity and to expand my understanding of who I am and what I can do. I want to demonstrate to them that they can overcome any obstacle in their life journey. And lastly, I want them to be proud of me, as I am incredibly proud of them.

WIF: You once chaired the board of a nonprofit that fought homelessness and poverty. How did that experience shape your understanding of the broader social and emotional dimensions of student success?​

Dean Manga: Student success is not limited, in my purview, to earning an “A” in a design course or writing a perfect art history essay. Student success is a holistic framework that encompasses the physical, mental, emotional and psychosocial aspects of a person. Is the student prepared to learn? Do they have a quiet place to work? Do they have all of the materials to start their work? Do they require accommodations for their assignments? These are a few of the critical factors that encourage student success.

I think the visual forwarded by psychologist A. Maslow is an ideal criterion for considering human needs. If basic physiological needs, a sense of safety, and a sense of belonging are not present, the higher-order thinking necessary for academic or creative/design practices is derailed.

WIF: The arts have a unique rhythm and energy as a discipline. What have you learned about supporting artistic students in particular—their unique needs, motivations, and spirits?​

Dean Manga: What I have learned is that the students need extra-classroom speaking opportunities and different types of space. The student critiques, held at the end of each semester, are an art school rite of passage. The students are taught how to evaluate and communicate their efforts so they can present their work in front of a committee of faculty and external parties who are practicing artists/designers. The pressure on the students to understand the technical aspects of their work, analyze their artistic/design process and communicate all of this in a brief time limit is enormous!

But where can they practice this newfound skill set before the high-pressure end-of-semester critique?

Practice and preparation require community involvement. For practice sessions, students need staff, faculty, and other community members who are not in the classroom and are willing to listen to their presentation-in-process and provide feedback.

The space requirement covers several realms.

Physical space for their practice is needed, of course, but they also need a mental space where they can engage in the “what-ifs” that lead to a new insight in their work.

Another type of space (intellectual) is also necessary to explore other disciplines and domains of learning. Their work requires inspiration, references, and the guidance to situate the same.

Engraving of PCA logo

WIF: When you envision student success at PCA, what does that look like to you—not just in terms of grades or graduation, but also in the lives these students build after they leave?

Dean Manga: I hope that the students know that the community enlarges to accommodate their new identity as PCA alumni. Their connection to their university experience remains intact.

I want them to know that they can define their successes as they choose. Their ideas of what they want/who they want to be can/does evolve. Life demands change, and this is a normal aspect of their maturation as artists/designers.

And I hope they stay in touch, allowing my colleagues and me to celebrate their wins with them!

WIF: The title “Dean of Student Success” carries so much promise. What are your hopes for how this role will evolve and influence PCA’s community in the years ahead?

Dean Manga: I view my role as a liaison and catalyst, making introductions and facilitating conversations to support students through their tenure. At the same time, I have the privilege of
encouraging and supporting initiatives that work towards positive student outcomes.

I see the future Office of Student Success as an array of services, information and connections that meets the student learner where they are, at that moment. This could include “experiential” learning opportunities at any level of study, affinity services that address common complaints of life in a foreign country, and intergenerational connections in the campus neighborhood.

WIF is pleased to welcome its Autumn 2025 intern!

Camryn James is a junior at the University of Arizona, pursuing a major in Cyber Operations with a minor in Hip Hop. He was born and raised in Chicago, a city that fuels both his drive for innovation and his passion for culture.

Camryn’s academic journey in Cyber Operations sharpens his skills in technology and security, while his Hip Hop studies connect him to artistic expression and community building.

Outside of academics, Camryn is also a DJ, blending sounds and creating experiences that bring people together through music. He strives to bridge his technical expertise with his creative side, finding unique ways to merge cybersecurity, digital media, and Hip-Hop culture. Whether through his studies, DJing, or community involvement, he is dedicated to building connections, embracing versatility, and leaving a lasting impact.

In Autumn 2025, Camryn will create a new digital home for the Les Amis de Beauford Delaney blog and oversee its seamless migration from Blogger.

He will also investigate the ways in which Beauford Delaney’s art has shaped the work of contemporary musicians.

Together, these initiatives will launch The Beauford Delaney Project – Where Scholarship Meets Community, a digital humanities celebration through which WIF will pay tribute to Beauford Delaney—the visionary artist whose brilliance and spirit inspired WIF’s very founding. This project will be the focal point of WIF’s 10th anniversary, honoring Delaney’s enduring legacy while bringing his influence to new generations.

WIF is delighted to share some joyful news—our founder and CEO, Dr. Monique Y. Wells, has completed her certificate in AI for Marketing & Fundraising from Nonprofit Tech for Good!

We’re incredibly proud of Dr. Wells for always leading with curiosity, determination, and innovation. Her dedication inspires us all to continue to support WIF as we grow stronger, smarter, and ever more connected to the people we serve.

With this new knowledge in AI at our disposal, we’re excited to dream even bigger as we work to fund the projects and programs in the arts, travel/study abroad, STEAM education/literacy, and women’s empowerment that serve the communities our donor family cares about so deeply.

WIF is pleased to welcome its 10th Anniversary Celebration intern!

Janjay Gardea is a curious and creative thinker passionate about innovation, storytelling, and purposeful design. As a senior undergraduate studying International Business and Business Management, with minors in Social Entrepreneurship and Community Leadership & Engagement, she is currently spending a semester in Paris exploring fashion design and brand management while preparing for an MBA.

Janjay serves as the Executive Director of her nonprofit, Future Change Foundation, and values growth, legacy, and the ability to build lasting impact. Her experiences span mentorship, marketing, organizational strategy, and storytelling—offering her a multidimensional perspective that blends structure with imagination.

Whether she’s guiding students, shaping brand concepts, or leading change, Janjay thrives where creativity meets purpose. She is deeply motivated by the belief that thoughtful design—of systems, ideas, or experiences—can uplift communities and reimagine what’s possible.

During the summer and autumn of 2025, Janjay will support the planning for WIF’s 10th anniversary celebration events in Houston, TX and Paris, France as well as the ongoing celebration of the anniversary beginning in October 2025.  This will include supporting the needs of WIF’s founder & CEO.

On Thursday, May 29, Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit partnered with the Wells International Foundation (WIF) to host a unique event at the newly completed MaryAnn Wright Animal Adoption and Education Center in Dearborn, MI. 

The animal shelter invited the public to attend “Sound & Sanctuary: A Concert for Canines and Cats” from 3-4 p.m.

MaryAnn Wright Animal Adoption and Education Center

Ackeem Salmon was the featured artist.  A harpist, composer, and interdisciplinary visual artist, Salmon’s work is influenced by people, places, and traditions around the world.  Beginning with his childhood in Kingston, Jamaica, he has followed a winding path that has led to him finding a sense of home and purpose in Detroit.

Ackeem Salmon with harp

WIF was represented on site by Development Volunteer Shal Chandler.

Shal Chandler

During the concert, event attendees walked around the adoptable dog and cat spaces or sat quietly while listening to Salmon play the harp.

Salmon played in the dog area from 3 – 3:30 p.m. and the cat area (called Kitty Suites) from 3:30 – 4 p.m.

The shelter extended its opening hours until 6 p.m. to allow additional time for adoptions.

Dog and cat areas

The dogs were quite vocal during their half-hour session, whereas the cats were mostly still and quiet during their session.

Ackeem Salmon plays the harp in dog area

Ackeem Salmon plays the harp in cat area

Salmon was excited to participate in the event:

“It was a pleasure to perform in such a relaxed and welcoming setting, especially for an audience that included both people, their pets, and those at the shelter. The experience reminded me how music can bring us together in simple, meaningful ways. It felt good to share what I do in a space where everyone—human or not—could be part of the moment.”

After the event, Friends for Animals Events & Communications Manager Nova Zorok reached out to let WIF know how much the shelter appreciated the event and the partnership.

The two organizations are already looking for additional ways to work together.

Left to right: Nova Zorok, Ackeem Salmon, and Shal Chandler

For information about Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit, click HERE.

For information about Ackeem Salmon, click HERE.

WIF extends heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to Anisa Williams, the tenth university student to participate in our Paris Internship Program.

In May 2025, Anisa completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design degree at Parsons Paris | The New School. Her family flew in from Canada to attend her commencement ceremony and see the fashion collection she created as part of her graduation requirements.

Anisa named her collection “Something to Remember Me by.”  It was inspired by the Greek myth “Orpheus and Eurydice” and the fashions worn by rock star Jimi Hendrix. The garments Anisa designed and constructed ranged from casual wear (jeans, vests, and shirts) to evening wear and a denim overcoat.

Anisa Williams and her fashion collection

After her Spring 2023 internship, Anisa continued to support WIF by attending the networking events we organized for Going Global with Barbara student cohorts.

So, WIF Founder & CEO Dr. Monique Y. Wells and Going Global with Barbara President Barbara Eubanks took great pleasure in visiting the fashion exhibition hall to congratulate her in person and admire her designs.

Barbara Eubanks, Anisa Williams, and Dr. Monique Y. Wells

Anisa’s exhibition space was located on the ground floor near the upper level of the exhibition space, making it easy to find among the dozens of student collections on display.

Exhibition space for bachelor’s and master’s degree students

Images of Anisa’s exhibition space

With graduation behind her, Anisa is now exploring career prospects in the fashion industry.  She is particularly interested in pursuing opportunities in costume design.

Click HERE to learn about Anisa’s 2023 internship experience at WIF.

Find her on Instagram HERE.

WIF is excited to share news of a Travel/Study Abroad event for which we are a proud advocate!

COMPEAR.org and GoAbroad.com have formed a partnership to collaboratively amplify the experiences of  the voices of our colleagues, students, faculty, and administrations around the globe while discussing ways in which we all can respectfully and actively disrupt practices and policies that make room for inequality and discrimination in global education and beyond.

Please join us for the 4th Annual Global Respectful Disruption Summit, which will take place virtually on Wednesday, April 23 and Friday, April 25, 2025.

When you do, you’ll encounter an exciting group of presenters and facilitators focused on global or multicultural justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly as they pertain to areas or populations that may currently be systematically overlooked or missing from discussion in international education experiences, research, and careers.

A day of Pre-Summit workshops and panel discussions with JEDI Labs will unfold on Wednesday, April 23rd, and the Main Summit Sessions will take place on Friday, April 25th.

View the complete schedule here:  https://globalrdsummit.com/2025-main-summit-schedule/

This is a joint effort to unite like-minded individuals for learning, discussion, and coalition building. There will be real talk—uncensored and action-oriented—throughout the event.

Both days are included with registration, which is open until April 25, 2025.

Click here to sign up today: https://GRDS2025.eventbrite.com

Fast Facts (i.e. Important things you should know!)

• NEW! You can join online or participate in one of our two immersive in-person public viewing hubs: the GRDS Mediterranean Hub, hosted by Celei in Granada, Spain, or the Valley Viewing Hub, hosted by Smith College in Massachusetts, where global conversations come to life through local engagement.
• Discounted Group Registration is available! For group registration, enter the code provided at the top of the registration form, when you purchase 3 or more tickets on the same General Registration order form to get a discount of $10 off per ticket!

Visit https://globalrdsummit.com/ for more information.

We hope to see you there!

Dans la ville (In the City) panel discussion
L to R: Amadou Gaye, Laurence Choko,
Christiane Falgayrettes Leveau,
Kévi Donat (moderator), and Monique Y. Wells

A groundbreaking exhibition opened at the Centre Pompidou museum in Paris, France on March 19, 2025.

It is called Paris Noir: Artistic circulations and anti-colonial resistance, 1950-2000.

Paris Noir catalog cover

Beauford Delaney’s work is prominently featured in this show.

Indeed, his Street Scene, 1968 is the first painting visitors see when they enter the exhibition space.

View of Room 1 of Paris Noir from entrance

Fourteen (14) Beauford Delaney paintings grace the walls of this extraordinary exhibition, which features the works of 150 artists from Africa and the African diaspora.

Four of the Delaney paintings, including the masterful self-portrait held by the Whitney Museum of American Art, are in the Room 2 of the show.

Auto-portrait
(1965) Oil on canvas
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator
Image of portrait © Entrée to Black Paris

Works by numerous women artists are being shown in the exhibition.  They include a quilt by Faith Ringgold, the woman WIF honored as Legendary Artist for our COVID 19 PAGES – The Influence & Inspiration of Women online exhibition.

Among the many gatherings organized by the museum for the opening week of the show was a two-day colloquium that brought together scholars from both sides of the Atlantic.

On Day 2, WIF Founder & CEO Dr. Monique Y. Wells (pictured at the far right in the featured image at the top of this post) was one of four panelists who spoke on the topic of “In the City” – a discussion of the geography of Paris and the places where Black artists lived, created, exhibited, and socialized.

Dr. Wells presented “Paris Places and Spaces,” a talk through which she explained her method for developing meaningful walking tours for Entrée to Black Paris (WIF’s partner in the ETBP Cultural Awareness Program) and shared information about the three tours she created about African-American artists in Paris.

Two of these tours feature artist Beauford Delaney.

Dr. Monique Y. Wells presenting “Paris Places and Spaces”

Click HERE to watch Dr. Wells tell the story of how she came to found the French nonprofit organization, Les Amis de Beauford Delaney, and WIF because of her research about Delaney (begin watching at 7:26 minutes).

To learn more about Paris Noir, click HERE.