Tour Guides

Dr. Yasmin Delahoussaye holds a BA degree in History from California State University, Los Angeles, a MA degree in Educational Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of California, Los Angeles. As a former community college counselor, vice-chancellor, and college president, she is well aware of the type of students that each college seeks and is able to talk directly to admissions officials to assist students with gaining admission. A trusted educator, Yasmin has served on the Los Angeles City Human Relations Commission, the California State Student Aid Commission (which has responsibility for administering state financial aid programs), and the California Community Colleges Student Success Task Force whose 22 recommendations to improve student success and completion resulted in new legislation for all community colleges in California. One of the highlights of her work was being honored by the late Dr. Dorothy Height and the National Council of Negro Women in Washington, DC. at their tribute to Black Women Community Leaders.

Sherry Kilgore, a New York City native, attended Harlem Preparatory School, founded by her late uncle, Dr. Edward Carpenter. Despite starting degrees at Marymount Manhattan College and Columbia University School of Dentistry, her education was interrupted by her mother's untimely death.In 1977, Sherry moved to Washington, D.C., shifting from the medical field to become a travel agent at Rogers Travel, the oldest African American travel agency in the USA. Simultaneously, she took roles at prestigious D.C. hotels.

Licensed as a tour guide in 1982, she co-founded the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, D.C., serving as vice-president and supporting the Underground Railroad Mentorship program for under-served high school students. With diverse roles in travel and a stint at the National Newspaper Publishers Association, Sherry has hired and trained local tour guides for over 30 years. For four decades, Sherry's primary focus has been student travel, conducting multi-day tours across North America. Passionate about guiding young adults and exposing them to endless possibilities, she is inspired by the belief that "the children are our future; teach them well and let them lead the way."

Antoinette Bowie-Smith grew up in South Los Angeles, in a low-income neighborhood, and knew early on that she wanted to be the first in her family to go to college and obtain a degree. After graduating from high school and attending Loyola Marymount University, she officially earned the title of first-generation college student. While it was a wonderful experience, obtaining the degree was no easy feat. There were many hidden "rules" that she did not know or understand. Being in love with college culture, the opportunities, and cultural capital the experience provides, and wanting more students of color to not only have access but be informed on how to navigate the nuances of post-secondary education, she decided to go into college counseling.

After obtaining her master’s degree in counseling psychology, she expanded the college guidance curriculum to include social-emotional development. Antoinette’s passion for education and helping students pursue the dream of going to college led her to join the ETS staff as Program Coordinator to support and further the mission.

Antoinette is currently married to husband Darryle and has two children, a son and a daughter. She enjoys traveling, shopping, family movie nights, and being at her kids’ sporting events.

Gina Lutcher, a recently retired principal with over 20 years of educational experience, dedicated herself to serving Inglewood and South Los Angeles communities. Her leadership centered on two primary goals: guiding students to recognize their potential and fostering an understanding of their role in creating a positive community. Simultaneously, she ensured teachers could provide quality instruction with the belief that all children can learn. Possessing persuasive communication skills, Ms. Lutcher influenced attitudes, resulting in improvements in course offerings, curriculum implementation, classroom instruction, and extracurricular opportunities. Under her guidance, each school site witnessed increased standardized test scores, improved access to college, higher graduation rates, and enhanced student self-efficacy. Her significant contributions include collaborative efforts with stakeholders, establishing partnerships with various organizations to provide health insurance, housing assistance, bill support, mental health resources, and funding for college tours, chemistry labs, and sports programs. Gina Lutcher's passion for providing college access to marginalized children, introducing them to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, reflects her enduring commitment to high expectations for all students and a purposeful approach to education.

Edgar Javier Ortiz was born in Downtown Los Angeles, raised in Montebello for 21 years, and has been residing in Whittier for the past 8 years. With over 16 years of experience working closely with students from K-12, Edgar has developed a deep passion for education and student development. While attending UCLA, Edgar spent 4 years as a tutor with UCLA BruinCorps, where he honed his skills in academic support and mentorship. Following this, he served for 5 years with AmeriCorps VISTA, where he served two years as a College Advisor at Stevenson College Prep and three years as a Team Manager. Currently, Edgar is a Match Counselor with KIPP Forward, where he leverages his extensive background to support KIPP alumni in achieving their educational and career aspirations. Entering his 6th year with KIPP, Edgar will be focusing on assisting alumni from the classes of ‘25 and ‘26, helping them prepare for and transition into their chosen educational and career paths. His commitment to student success is driven by his belief in the transformative power of education and his desire to make a lasting impact on the lives of the students he serves.

Karen Beckers was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. Throughout her educational and professional career, she has been passionate about supporting students of color in attaining their personal and career goals. She received her B.A. in Psychology at UCLA and a M.S. in College Counseling and Student Development at Azusa Pacific University. Karen serves as a KIPP Forward Counselor and supports juniors and seniors in high school with career exploration and their post-secondary goals.

Kenny, a native Washingtonian, has dedicated over 35 years to educating people about the rich African American heritage of Washington, DC. Starting his tourism journey in 1989 with Old Town Trolley as a driver/guide, he embarked on a remarkable career showcasing the nation's capital to visitors worldwide.

In 1997, Kenny expanded his horizons, serving as a step-on guide for various international travel companies, deepening his knowledge of Washington, DC's African American history. In 1998, he founded KB Tours, specializing in African American history tours.

Under Kenny's leadership, KB Tours has become synonymous with insightful, engaging, and comprehensive tours, offering a unique perspective on the city's history. Kenny's storytelling enlightens and inspires, making Washington, DC's historical narratives accessible to a diverse audience. His daily tours are immersive experiences connecting the past with the present, highlighting pivotal contributions and the enduring legacy of African Americans in the nation's capital.

Kenny's commitment to excellence and his profound understanding of Washington, DC's cultural and historical significance make him an invaluable resource for those exploring the city through a deeper and more meaningful lens.