MONTHLY NEWSLETTER       June 2018
TCA President Travels to Turkey

Between June 2-14, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy traveled to Turkey for courtesy visits and meetings. In Istanbul, McCurdy attended a dinner honoring TCA hosted by Aykut Eken, president of the Federation of International Consular Associations and Corps (FICAC) and former chair of the Americas at TAIK-DEIK, and Gonul Eken. Participating in the dinner were representatives from the U.S. Consulate General, business community, legal sector, NGOs, academia and Turkish American leaders. McCurdy also met with U.S. Consul General Jennifer Davis and Dr. Muhammed Sahin, Rector of MEF University. 
TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and Dr. Muhammed Sahin (center) with American instructors at MEF University
TCA Director Attends Roundtable with Turkish Foreign Minister

On June 4, TCA Director Nilsu Goren attended a roundtable organized by the Turkish Heritage Organization, American Turkish Council, and Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) with Turkish Foreign Minister H.E. Mevlut Cavusoglu at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
TCA Hosts Santa Clara University Alumni

On June 7, TCA hosted a reception for Santa Clara University alumni who traveled to Turkey through their Global Fellows Program and interned at the TCA/TCF offices in Istanbul.

TCA Director Interviews NPR's "All Things Considered"

On June 14, TCA Director Nilsu Goren gave an interview to the National Public Radio's (NPR) news program "All Things Considered" on Turkey's purchase of the S-400 air and missile defense system and F-35 jets.
TCA President Travels to California

Between June 25-28, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy met with members of the Turkish American community in southern California. McCurdy also met with Turkish Consul General Can Oguz in Los Angeles.
TCA Directors Meet with Members of Congress

On June 26, TCA Directors Louette Ragusa and Nilsu Goren attended an event with Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL/20th) in Washington, D.C.

On June 20, TCA Director Nilsu Goren attended a breakfast event organized by the Government Relations Association (GRA) with Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-CA/24th). On June 7, she attended a GRA event with Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA/13th).

On June 6, Goren attended an event hosted by Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC/2nd). Also in June, she attended various DCCC and NRCC events hosted by Democrat and Republican leadership.
TCA Hosts Turkish Chief Commercial Counselor

On June 19, TCA hosted a farewell meeting for Omur Demir Kizilarslan, now former Chief Commercial Counselor at the Embassy of Turkey, and held a roundtable discussion on US-Turkey commercial relations.
TCA Directors Attend SelectUSA Reception

On June 21, TCA Directors Louette Ragusa and Nilsu Goren attended the reception, organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Turkish Council, welcoming the Turkish delegation to the 2018 SelectUSA Investment Summit.

TCA President Attends Book Discussion on DC Jazz

On June 24, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy attended a public discussion on the recently published book, “DC Jazz – Stories of Jazz Music in Washington, DC”, with editor Maurice Jackson of Georgetown University and authors Lauren Sinclair of American University and Washington jazz disc jockey Rusty Hassan.  

Discussion centered on the history of African Americans and jazz in Washington, including stories about the “profound impact” of Ahmet and Neshui Ertegun, sons of the Turkish ambassador, on the DC jazz scene. Maurice Jackson also highlighted that the Erteguns entertained black musicians at the Turkish Embassy and organized the first interracial concert in Washington despite segregation at the time. Jackson had previously participated in a TCA sponsored jazz program in Turkey.  

TCA continues to build bridges with the African American community with its program on “African American – Turkish Connections Through the Arts” and the granting of scholarships to African American and other minority students for study abroad in Turkey.