Diamond Minds Students Receive Letter from President Xi Jinping Following China Exchange Program

January 16, 2026

Miami, Florida — Diamond Minds Transformational Leadership Academy (DMTLA) is proud to share a historic and deeply meaningful milestone for our school community. Following our students’ participation in the Discover Jiangsu American Youth Exchange Program and their exploration of China in October 2025, DMTLA expressed our sincere appreciation for the opportunity to take part in this meaningful educational exchange. In response, we were honored to receive a personal reply letter from President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China.

In his letter, President Xi expressed his pleasure in learning that DMTLA teachers and students had a joyful and rewarding journey in China and noted their sincere interest in and affection for Chinese culture. He emphasized that “the people are the hope of China–U.S. relations, and the youth are its future,” and encouraged more American young people to join people-to-people exchanges, become new envoys of friendship, and contribute to mutual understanding between the two countries. He also warmly invited our students and educators to visit China again.

This extraordinary recognition brought immense excitement and pride to the entire DMTLA community. Students, families, faculty, and staff were deeply moved to know that their voices, reflections, and experiences were heard at the highest level.

DMTLA’s Journey to the East

For DMTLA, this trip to China was not only a destination—it was a journey of perseverance. In many ways, it felt like a modern-day version of Journey to the West in reverse: an eastward path filled with challenges, detours, and “eighty-one trials” before reaching the destination.

As Founder Dr. Tamika Lewis reflected, this moment had been years in the making: “I’m not sure how long you all planned for this trip, but it feels like we’ve been planning for it since the day we started our school—more than 22 years ago.” DMTLA’s mission has always been to help cultivate global citizens, and the school has long sought meaningful opportunities for students to learn through real-world cultural exchange. About 15–16 years ago, DMTLA hosted two visiting teachers from China who taught Mandarin—and also introduced Chinese culture and history—helping our students develop early appreciation and understanding.

In 2020, DMTLA had a promising opportunity for an educational exchange connected to Shanghai, but pandemic-related flight cancellations meant the trip could not happen. That disappointment stayed with us—and strengthened our determination to keep trying.

Preparing for the 2025 China journey required extraordinary effort. Our school community rallied to fundraise, expand student work opportunities on campus, and support families in meeting travel requirements. For some students, the process of obtaining passports required weeks of dedicated advocacy and problem-solving. Even with that persistence, a few students still had to miss the trip due to passport timing—an outcome we felt deeply, knowing how much they wanted to go.

With limited funds, the travel itself required creative solutions. We booked multi-leg flights, and DMTLA leaders contributed personal airline points to help reduce airfare costs. Ultimately, our delegation traveled across four flights, through three cities, for a total journey of approximately 32 hours to reach Shanghai, followed by a three-hour bus ride to Jiangsu. The return journey was equally demanding—four more flights and more than thirty hours in transit. It was the longest travel experience many of our students had ever endured.

And yet, when students arrived, fatigue gave way to awe. They were overwhelmed with excitement—and fully embraced every moment of the experience. What began as a difficult journey became a powerful lesson in resilience, gratitude, and growth. After every layover, obstacle, and long hour of travel, the journey found an unexpected closure: recognition. President Xi’s reply letter became a powerful reminder that what our students experienced—and learned—carried significance beyond ourselves.

A Transformative Educational Journey

In October 2025, a delegation of DMTLA students and alumni traveled to Nanjing and Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, where they engaged in a wide range of educational and cultural exchanges. Students visited historic landmarks, universities, innovation labs, and manufacturing facilities, and took part in hands-on activities alongside Chinese peers.

One of the most unforgettable experiences took place at Changzhou Beijiao Senior High School, where students participated in the construction of a supportless Luban Bridge, a traditional Chinese engineering structure. As they carefully assembled each wooden beam, ancient engineering principles came to life, revealing China’s technological ingenuity long before the modern era. Working side by side with Chinese students, DMTLA participants not only learned scientific concepts, but also built a symbolic bridge of friendship and mutual understanding.

Throughout the journey, students formed genuine friendships, shared classroom and lab experiences, played sports together, and engaged in everyday cultural exchanges that reshaped their understanding of China and its people.

Voices from DMTLA Leadership

Principal Milinda Sylvain shared:

“President Xi’s letter was a tremendous honor for our school. It affirmed what we witnessed firsthand—that youth exchange has the power to open minds, challenge assumptions, and build lasting bridges between cultures. For many of our students, this experience expanded their vision of what is possible for their future.”

Founder Dr. Tamika Lewis reflected:

“What touched me most was his recognition of students’ genuine affection for Chinese culture and his belief that youth are the future of China–U.S. friendship. That message reflected exactly what we witnessed in our students: curiosity replacing fear, understanding replacing distance, and friendship growing naturally. His encouragement affirmed that this journey was about far more than travel—it was about human connection.”

Voices from DMTLA Students

“When we found out President Xi wrote back, I was astonished and so excited—I never imagined something like that would happen to us.”- Ishmael

“I hope more students like us get this chance, so we can keep building friendship and understanding between our two countries.” -Idris

"The biggest impressions were the food and the schools. I loved the campus layouts, the extracurricular programs, and especially the Peking duck. I also noticed how similar I am to Chinese college students. Even from different places, we all work hard to do our best and build a good future." -Sean

I was so excited and proud to hear about President Xi’s letter—it made me feel that our trip to China truly mattered. This experience opened my eyes and inspired me to keep learning about Chinese culture and the world. When I read that he invited us to visit China again, I was beyond happy. Honestly, I would love to go back—I could pack my bags tonight and fly tomorrow! -Sanaya

This trip didn’t just teach me about China—it helped me learn more about myself. I used to be afraid of stepping outside my comfort zone, but with the support of my teachers and friends, I found the courage to try something new. I’m proud of how much I’ve grown—I’m more confident, more open-minded, and more willing to explore the world. Experiences like this show why cultural exchange matters, because they truly have the power to change a young person’s life. -Levi

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, this experience has reaffirmed our belief in the transformative power of international education. At DMTLA, we remain deeply committed to expanding global learning opportunities, strengthening language and cultural education, and creating spaces where students can grow through authentic cross-cultural experiences. As educators, we believe education is not only about knowledge, but about shaping character, broadening perspective, and nurturing young people who are confident, compassionate, and prepared to engage with an interconnected world.

We are grateful to our educational partners and host institutions for their generosity and hospitality, and most of all, we celebrate our students. Their curiosity, courage, and openness remind us that meaningful global understanding begins with young people willing to listen, learn, and grow together. It is in these moments of shared learning that we see hope for a more thoughtful and connected future.

The decision to invest in a private education provides your child with a foundation of leadership, creativity, and academic rigor. At Diamond Minds Transformational Leadership Academy, we are dedicated to nurturing these qualities through our unique holistic approach. We invite you to learn more about our transformative programs or schedule a tour to experience our vibrant school community firsthand.