MONTHLY NEWSLETTER     April 2019
TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy with Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC/1st) and members of the Turkish American community in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Rep. Butterfield is a member of the Turkey Caucus.
TCA Travels to Florida

Between April 26-28, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and TCA Director Louette Ragusa attended an event hosted by Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL/20th) with representatives from the Turkish American community in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. At the event, they had the opportunity to speak not only with Congressman Hastings but also with several other Members of Congress including Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC/6th), Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Karen Bass (D-CA/37th), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC/1st), and Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ/10th). McCurdy and Ragusa also attended a Turkish American networking reception in Miami, attended by Miami Turkish Consul General Burc Ceylan.
 
TCA Attends Jazz Event at the Turkish Ambassador's Residence

On April 30, the TCA team attended an "Evening of Jazz" event at the Turkish Ambassador's Residence, featuring Sean Jones and His All-Stars, in honor of the Ertegun Family, Jazz Appreciation Month, and International Jazz Day 2019.

In the 1930s and 1940s, when H.E. Munir Ertegun was the Turkish Ambassador to the U.S., the Ambassador's Residence was one of the few public venues where integrated audiences could enjoy music together in segregated Washington. Ambassador Ertegun's sons, Ahmet and Nesuhi, have played a unique role in the promotion of jazz music and racial integration. The legacy of the Ertegun family is a major feature in TCA's "African American - Turkish Connections Through the Arts" program.

TCA Attends Turkish Art Exhibition in Annapolis

On April 29, the TCA team attended a reception celebrating Turkish artist Ziya Gurel and his latest exhibit titled "Istanbul and Beyond: An Eastern Tale" at Annapolis City Hall. 

Gurel's solo exhibition illustrates a unique tale of East and West, moving between fiction and reality. The show runs through May 31st.

TCA Attends Cook Political Report Briefing

On April 18, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and TCA Director Nilsu Goren attended the Cook Political Report briefing on the 2020 presidential, senatorial, congressional and governor races. The Cook Political Report is a popular independent, non-partisan newsletter that provides election analyses and commentary on political trends.

TCA Hosts the American Turkish Business Development Council

On April 16, the Turkish Coalition of America hosted an American Turkish Business Development Council delegation led by ATBD Council President Ugur Terzioglu.

TCA Attends Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina (ACBH) Gala

On April 13, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and TCA Director Louette Ragusa attended the Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (ACBH) gala to honor women leaders and celebrate the 70th anniversary of NATO.

TCA Attends Regional Economic Development Presentation

On April 11, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy attended a briefing by Strategies for International Development (SID) at the Embassy of Guatemala on its program in helping indigenous small coffee growers transition from subsistence to commercial farming in Guatemala. SID had received a grant from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) for this program through the assistance of TCA.

TCA Director Attends Event with Member of Congress

On April 3, TCA Program Director Nilsu Goren attended a breakfast event with Congressman Ron Wright (R-TX/6th), organized by the Government Relations Association (GRA).

TCA Attends National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Gala

On April 2, TCA Directors Nilsu Goren and Louette Ragusa attended the NRCC Spring Gala Dinner. President Donald J. Trump was the keynote speaker.

TCA President Meets with Turkish Americans in California

On April 1 and 2, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy met with Turkish Americans in Irvine, Los Angeles and San Francisco to discuss grassroots activities in California. He also met with Turkish Consul General Can Oguz in Los Angeles.