A Message from former UNA-Atlanta President, post announcement of 2017-2019 Board of Directors

Thank You by Nalat Phanit-Black (Immediate Past President)
 
It has been a privilege and a life-changing experience serving as president of United Nations Association of USA, Atlanta Chapter (UNA-Atlanta). I am grateful to all the volunteers, members, families, and friends who supported our work in educating, inspiring, and mobilizing communities in and around Atlanta on the vital work of the United Nations.
 
The dedication of our volunteers over the past two years resulted in thirty-two board meetings and thirty events. We assisted several Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters in their UN classroom programs, volunteered with Trees Atlanta and Captain Planet Foundation, sponsored the National Center for Civil and Human Rights for UN Day 2016, partnered with Kennesaw State University, and met with refugees during our Clarkston Career Information Fair, Clarkston Culture Fest, and the Peaceful Demonstration with the Rohingya people to stop the genocide of Rohingyas in Myanmar. Our membership grew from 135 members in April 2015 to 205 members as of March 2017. Several of our members also attended UNA-USA’s Members’ Day at UN Headquarters and are planning to attend UNA-USA 2017 Leadership Summit.
 
I would like to recognize everyone that I’ve had the pleasure of working with during my term. Their passion for the United Nations and UNA-Atlanta keeps me motivated and hopeful for the future of the United Nations.
 
2015-2017 Board of Directors:
 
Chinita Allen, President-Elect and Vice President of Advocacy and Outreach
Cherise Moulden, Secretary
Mary Kitchens, Treasurer
Betsy Rivard, VP of Programs
Tiffany Irene, VP of Public Relations & Marketing, UNA-AKA Liaison 
Morgan Tatum, Historian
Moorissa Tjokro, VP of Membership and Data Operations
David Sanders, VP of Fundraising
 
Sustainable Development Goals Committee:
 
Aurelie Ngo, SDG Liaison, Poverty and Hunger Committee
Anya Cooper, SDG Liaison, Equality Committee
Monse and John Acosta, Co-SDG Liaisons, Global Health Committee
Roshni Chengappa, SDG Leader, Global Health Committee
Toyshebia Napper, SDG Leader, Global Health Committee
Ruhi Rahman, SDG Leader, Global Health Committee
Mary Beam, SDG Leader, Environmental Sustainability Committee
Austin Jacob, SDG Leader for Sustainable Energy
Deirdre Luong, SDG Leader, Peace and Security Committee
Samira Didehvar, SDG Leader, Peace and Security Committee
Steffani Salter, SDG Liaison for Sustainable Cities, Urban and Economic Sustainability Committee 
Jasmine Payne, SDG Leader for Sustainable Cities
 
Volunteers:
 
Remy Reveyoso
Minah So
Sarah Turkaly
Molly Read Woo
 
Thank you to all of the spouses, significant others, children, family and friends who support our volunteers’ passion for the United Nations.
 
Thank you to stable|kernel for providing us with a comfortable meeting space to hold our board meetings.
 
Thank you to our event sponsors and partners who made the past two years impactful and memorable:
 
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Captain Planet Foundation
Center for Civil and Human Rights
Clark Atlanta University
Committee On Teaching About the UN
Emory University International Relations Association
Friends of Refugees
Global Citizen
International Rescue Committee Atlanta
Kennesaw State University
The Lowery Project
Nothing But Nets
ONE Campaign
People to People International
TREES Atlanta
TRENDS Global
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta
UNICEF
 
I look forward to our next adventure towards global peace and sustainability.
 
Sincerely,
Nalat Phanit-Black
 

2017 Nominating Committee (left to right: Tiffany Irene, Molly Read Woo, Betsy Rivard, Chinita Allen, and Nalat Phanit-Black; back: future diplomat)

2017 UNA-Atlanta Members' Day (left to right in the back: Tiffany Irene, Roumena Georgieva, Steffani Salter) (left to right in the front: Susan Sweeney, Nalat and Nalyn Black, Molly Read Woo, LaTanga Allen-Felder)

Clarkston Culture Fest, April 22, 2017. Volunteers (in the back: Samira Didehvar, Jasmine Payne, Nalat Phanit-Black) guided attendees in building a solar oven

US Fund for UNICEF Gala, March 30, 2016 (left to right: Nalat Phanit-Black, Ted Turner, Tiffany Irene)

#NothingButNets: Georgia's Leadership in the Fight Against Malaria (left to right: Jesse Black, Dikembe Mutombo, Nalat Phanit-Black)

Special thanks to my husband, Jesse Black, and stable|kernel for sponsoring UNA-Atlanta from 2015 - 2017