Empowering global scholars: How two organizations are helping Black youth get international scholarships

When 15-year-old Zaahir Hardaway boarded a plane to Paris in April 2024, it was his first time traveling internationally. That trip would not only change his life but also mark a major milestone in the mission of the Wells International Foundation (WIF) and Going Global with Barbara (GGwB). Two trailblazing organizations committed to giving Black youth the tools to thrive globally.

Now, less than two years later, Zaahir has been accepted to the American University of Paris (AUP), where he will begin his undergraduate studies in the fall of 2026. His journey from first-time traveler to future global scholar is a shining example of what happens when intentional programming, strategic mentorship, and opportunity come together.

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For years, Going Global with Barbara had struggled to recruit young Black men for study abroad programs. In response, the organization teamed up with WIF to launch a three-part panel series exploring the challenges Black boys face when it comes to international travel and education. The joint initiative between WIF and GGwB helped to create the International Youth Leadership Program (IYLP), which is designed to do more than just send students abroad. It exposes them to new cultures, helps them build leadership skills, and introduces them to higher education opportunities beyond U.S. borders.

Just a month after the first panel, the inaugural all-male trip was underway. Zaahir was one of the seven students selected.

Exposure with Intention

During the week-long trip to Paris, the students took part in a packed and purposeful itinerary. WIF arranged visits to two top academic institutions: Paris College of Art and the American University of Paris. While at AUP, the students attended an official admissions session and received a guided campus tour from two current Black male AUP students. This kind of peer-to-peer interaction, especially in a global context, is exactly the kind of exposure that can plant seeds of possibility. For Zaahir, it did much more than that; it helped him see where he belonged.

By the time he returned home, Zaahir had a new vision for his future. Inspired by what he saw and the people he met, he applied to AUP and was accepted less than two years later.

“It is truly significant that the first person from IYLP to be accepted to an undergraduate institution in Paris is male,” she said. “It proves that when we remove barriers and provide meaningful access, these young men don’t just show up they thrive,” said WIF Founder and CEO Dr. Monique Y. Wells.

That achievement is even more noteworthy considering the wider landscape. According to data from the Institute of International Education, Black men make up fewer than 3 percent of American students who study abroad. The work being done by WIF and GGwB directly addresses this disparity by offering early, supportive, and structured opportunities that demystify the idea of international education.

Through initiatives like the IYLP and WIF’s Entrée to Black Paris Cultural AwarenessProgram, these organizations are opening doors that have too often remained closed. They’re helping students move beyond simply imagining what’s possible they’re giving them the tools to make it real.

About the Organizations

The Wells International Foundation (WIF) is a nonprofit organization focused on empowering women, youth, and people of African descent through educational and cultural initiatives. Its Entrée to Black Paris Cultural Awareness Program offers students transformative international experiences that foster self-discovery, cultural awareness, and global citizenship.

Going Global with Barbara (GGwB) is an educational travel company offering immersive learning programs for students and families across the U.S. Its International Youth Leadership Programs operate in countries including France, Spain, Senegal, and Jordan, with a mission to promote travel competence, leadership development, and cross-cultural understanding.