Dear Global Kids Community,
As the academic year concludes, we’re proud to reflect on a time of growth, celebration, and meaningful partnerships. This month, we honored changemakers at our Annual Gala, celebrated graduating seniors at our Senior Extravaganza, and continued our impactful collaboration with Columbia’s School of Social Work.
As we look ahead, we’re gearing up for another summer full of transformative programming across NYC and D.C.
We encourage you to read on and explore the many ways our students continue to lead with passion, purpose, and a global perspective!
Celebrating Youth Leaders and Industry Trailblazers at the 2025 Annual Gala
On June 18, Global Kids hosted the 2025 Annual Gala at the Council on Foreign Relations in Manhattan, bringing together civic leaders, educators, and changemakers. The evening honored transformative leadership and academic excellence, while raising critical funds to advance our mission of empowering youth in New York City and Washington, D.C. through dynamic global education and leadership development programs.
This year, we proudly honored Cheryl McKissack Daniel, president and CEO of McKissack & McKissack, and Congressman Gregory W. Meeks of New York’s Fifth Congressional District for their longstanding commitment in advancing equity within government and business. Their enduring contributions reflect the very qualities we strive to cultivate in our youth: resilience, integrity, and a strong commitment to civic engagement.
A highlight of the night was the recognition of the Carole Artigiani Scholarship recipients – an award named in honor of Global Kids’ founder – alumnae Thandi Kirk and Esther Eboh. Thandi, a Washington, D.C. participant and rising sophomore at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her work in environmental justice, including her participation in COP28 and local youth employment programs. Esther, a Bronx-based alumna now studying at Williams College, has leveraged her Global Kids experience to become a speaker, youth facilitator, and creative advocate for underrepresented communities.
The Gala concluded with an engaging student panel moderated by Global Kids Board Chair Richard Roberts, where current Global Kids youth shared personal reflections on how the organization has shaped their academic paths, career aspirations, and sense of purpose. Their stories underscored the far-reaching impact of our programs, which provide students with access to global citizenship, policy engagement, and leadership development.
We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsors and supporters, whose generosity has been instrumental in enabling us to expand access to high-quality youth development opportunities. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to broadening our reach, enhancing our impact, and ensuring that every student – regardless of background – has the opportunity to lead, serve, and succeed.
Click through the images from our 2025 Annual Gala below, or click here to view the full event gallery!
Commemorating the Graduating Class of 2025 at Annual Senior Extravaganza
As the academic year comes to a close, we were proud to recognize incredible seniors from across 10 program sites at Global Kids’ Headquarters during our Annual Senior Extravaganza – a meaningful event marking their high school graduation and transition into college, careers, and beyond.
The event featured heartfelt remarks from Meztli Ibanez, an alumna who shared her college experience and engaged students in a candid Q&A session, offering valuable insight and encouragement as they prepare for their next chapter.
Each graduating senior received a certificate and stole honoring their achievements, along with duffel bags filled with academic essentials to support their college readiness. To personalize their transition, attendees also had the opportunity to design their own T-shirts and bags – special keepsakes to carry with them into the future.
We’re inspired by these young leaders and proud of all they’ve achieved. We look forward to seeing the impact they’ll make as global citizens.
Cultivating Future Global Citizens with Columbia’s School of Social Work
Since 2022, Global Kids has proudly partnered with Columbia University’s School of Social Work to host Master of Social Work (MSW) interns who play a vital role in strengthening our programming and expanding our organizational capacity.
These interns play an essential role in delivering social and emotional learning (SEL), wellness workshops, mentor-counseling, and mental health programming. Their involvement also allows us to increase adult-to-youth ratios, provide more individualized support, and maintain safe, engaging group environments. Beyond direct service, MSW interns bring evidence-based practices and a reflective lens to our work – enhancing both student experiences and staff collaboration.
We’re proud to spotlight Sasha Ali, an MSW intern that graduated this past May, whose leadership and empathy have reinforced the importance of trauma-informed, relationship-based approaches in youth development. We also celebrate Robert Cayne, a 2023 graduate who now serves as a Community School Director for Global Kids – a powerful example of this partnership’s long-term impact.
Together, we’re cultivating a strong pipeline of dedicated professionals who share our mission to uplift and empower youth through holistic, hands-on programming, while ensuring every student receives the support they need to thrive.
Empowering Youth to Overcome Learning Loss Through Summer Programs
As summer unfolds, Global Kids is excited to launch a vibrant array of programs across New York City and Washington, D.C., each rooted in a shared goal: to prepare youth with the skills, confidence, and global perspective they need to succeed.
From classrooms to community organizations to city agencies, our students are stepping into enriching environments that spark curiosity and build real-world experience. In New York City, elementary and middle school students will dive into global arts, culture, STEM, and literacy through Summer Rising, while more than 300 high school students will gain hands-on experience at over 65 worksites – including the MTA, Department of Transportation (DOT) – through the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and Summer Internship Program (SIP).
High school freshmen and sophomores will explore entrepreneurship and the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals through immersive project-based learning, while rising 9th and 10th graders prepare for what’s next through Summer Bridge programs, which focus on academic growth and social-emotional development.
Our Summer Institutes in both New York City and D.C. offer a deep dive into leadership, global affairs education, and civic engagement, complete with advocacy projects and international service trips. At Independence High School, English language learners will explore topics through hands-on projects and select students will attend our College & Career Readiness Bootcamp to craft competitive applications and build the tools they need for postsecondary success.
Throughout the season, we’ll be sharing stories and snapshots of these powerful programs in action –stay tuned for more on how our youth are making the most of their summer and shaping what’s next.
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