Horton's Kids in Paris
Paris - November 2025HORTON’S KIDS AND GOING GLOBAL WITH BARBARA
WIF is proud to partner with Going Global with Barbara (GGwB), an organization devoted to exposing African-American youth to the possibilities that exist through travel and study abroad, on its International Youth Leadership Program. This organization is normalizing the conversation around college admissions and expanding it to include the possibility of studying abroad
GGwB brought five (5) females and four (4) males from Horton’s Kids (HK) in Washington, D.C. to Paris in November 2025. HK connects with Southeast D.C. children and their families, schools, and communities to ensure that children graduate from high school ready for success in college, career, and life.
WIF supported this travel abroad excursion by organizing visits to the Paris College of Art (PCA) and American Business School (ABC) as well as a women-centric Entrée to Black Paris tour.
We also organized a meet and greet with Youth Ambassadors from the U.S. Embassy, who joined HK students, chaperones, and other guests for Thanksgiving dinner.
Copyright for the images on this page belongs to one of the following organizations or individuals: the Wells International Foundation, Going Global with Barbara, or Entrée to Black Paris.
ENTREE TO BLACK PARIS WALKING TOUR
The Entrée to Black Paris Black History in and around the Luxembourg Garden tour has become a fixture of GGwB excursions. Led by WIF Founder & CEO, Dr. Monique Y. Wells, this two-hour walk focuses the contributions of Afro-descendent women from multiple continents to Paris history, culture, and contemporary life. The weather was cold and rainy on the day of the tour, but the students rallied and asked and responded to questions during the walk.
PARIS COLLEGE OF ART
Dean of Student Success Alana Manga welcomed the students and gave an opening presentation about Paris College of Art (PCA). She invited 1st student Brooklynn Lindsey (film) and senior Sonal Randeny (fashion) to talk about their experiences at the school.
Then, Master of Interior Design alumna Tiffanie Buchanan spoke to the students about her study abroad experiences, including completing her master’s degree at PCA.
The students enjoyed a light breakfast during this opening session.
Students then visited the 3D printing lab, where Chair of Foundation Joe Johnson (who is responsible for students during their first year at PCA) and senior Ayaan Ghoshal (fine arts) demonstrated the school’s 3D printer and laser cutter.
The day culminated with a tour of the building led by Student Success Coordinator Verena Thomson.
AMERICAN BUSINESS COLLEGE
The American Business College (ABC – formerly called American Business School) partnered with WIF for the third time to welcome the Horton’s Kids student cohort.
ABC’s Head of Pedagogy, Danny Rukavina took the group on a tour of the campus.
The students then sat in on the Intercultural Studies class taught by former WIF board member Nicole Matusinec. This course is required for all students at ABC. HK students had the opportunity to see five ABC students present their homeland as part of their preparation for final exams:
- Congo – Emmanuel Tuluka
- Switzrland – Paul Secheyron
- Libya – Abdulrahman Shaladi
- Ivory Coast – Michelle Mamadou Eba and Marroh Kipre
- Sudan – Amna Elfaki Elbeiti
For the first time, the high schoolers had the opportunity to interact with ABC students in small groups during an in-class assignment on cultural awareness. They spent approximately 45 minutes comparing and contrasting various aspects of their cultures, and each group reported their findings in front of the entire class.
Head of Admissions Yuanist Woods then spoke to the students about the admissions process and encouraged any students interested in learning more to give him their contact information.
After class, HK and ABC students had another opportunity to mingle during an informal social hour.
THANKSGIVING DINNER
Every student cohort that visits Paris with GGwB in November gets to celebrate Thanksgiving in Paris, and the HK cohort was no exception.
Through our collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, WIF invited eight young people from the Embassy’s Youth Ambassador program to dine with the HK group. All were able to attend what was for many of them their first Thanksgiving celebration.
We were fortunate that a couple of ABC students were able to come to dinner as well.
The high schoolers got to know the youth ambassadors and ABC students through games and conversation.
And everyone enjoyed a fabulous meal!
