Birmingham Sister Cities’ dual-enrollment students to visit Ghana as city leaders praise program
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Summary
Birmingham Sister Cities introduced student delegates selected for the International Dual Enrollment Academy (IDEA) who will represent Birmingham in visits to sister cities in Ghana; council members praised the program and confirmed travel logistics.
City officials and Birmingham Sister Cities on Sept. 2 introduced local high school students selected for the International Dual Enrollment Academy (IDEA), a competitive program that pairs college-level coursework with international exchanges. The delegation will visit Birmingham’s two sister cities in Ghana, Winneba and Apaso.
India Johnson, program administrator for IDEA, told the City Council the program launched in April 2024 in partnership with Birmingham City Schools and Miles College and selects students based on academic achievement and leadership potential. Johnson named the scholars and their schools during the council meeting: Erica Adcox (BCS Virtual Academy of Learning); Camille Maiden and Kennedy Jones (Carver); Carlos A. Smith, Maya Lovejoy and Zakiya Anderson (Huffman); Griselda McCants, Carmen McCants, Sabrina Cargill and Raymond Young (J.O.); Caden Mansfield, J.C. Wilson, Carlise Robinson and Jonathan Davis (Ramsey); and Madison Brown (Woodlawn/Winona listed as "Winona" in the transcript).
Council members praised the program. Commissioner Tyson and several councilors thanked Sister Cities and the mayor’s office for supporting the overseas exchange. Councilor Smitherman asked if students would have homestays; staff said hotels will be used in Ghana and students will room two-to-a-room rather than homestays for this exchange. Councilors encouraged students to share their return experiences with the council.
Why it matters: The IDEA program is designed to build global competency and leadership among Birmingham students, deepen educational ties with partner cities, and provide cultural exchange experiences that program leaders said can have lasting educational and civic benefits.
What’s next: The students will travel as representatives of Birmingham; Sister Cities and school partners will follow standard travel and chaperone arrangements. Council members asked for a return presentation from the students after the trip.
Ending: Council members encouraged the students to represent Birmingham well and pledged continued support for the Sister Cities education exchanges.
