Reflections
By Tracy Gray, Board Member, Vice President of Advocacy
The United Nations Association of Atlanta and Indian Creek Elementary School hosted the UN Day 2023 event on October 28, 2023. The event celebrated the 78th Anniversary of the United Nations.
The event, which was free and open to the public, aimed to provide valuable insights and resources on healthcare services, mental health services, cultural identity, and educational empowerment.
The event celebrated dignity, equity, and justice for immigrants and refugees, reinforcing the values of the United Nations.
Distinguished keynote speakers and workshop leaders graced the event and shared their expertise and experiences, inspiring the participants and fostering a sense of community and empowerment.
Keynote Speakers and Workshop Leaders:
Dr. Devon Horton: Dr. Devon Horton, the esteemed Superintendent of the DeKalb County School District, emphasized the crucial role of equity-centered decision-making in the educational sector. He reiterated the importance of creating systemic and sustainable change, focusing on marginalized students. Dr. Horton's powerful message highlighted the need for passionate leadership and the belief that all students can achieve their maximum potential.
Dr. Heval Kelli: Dr. Heval Kelli, a Syrian Kurdish-born physician, shared his remarkable journey as a refugee and his exceptional contributions to medicine and healthcare outreach. Dr. Kelli's story of perseverance and dedication to serving underrepresented communities left a lasting impact, inspiring attendees to strive for excellence and make a positive difference in society.
Alexis Stewart: With her extensive experience in education and curriculum development, Alexis Stewart facilitated an insightful workshop on accessing mental health services in Atlanta. Her guidance on finding culturally competent mental health providers and tackling the stigma associated with seeking mental health care provided valuable resources for participants.
Molly Read Woo: Molly Read Woo, a prominent advocate for environmental sustainability, conducted an interactive workshop on storytelling for youths. Her engaging approach encouraged participants to share their stories and aspirations for the future, fostering creativity and self-expression among the younger attendees.
Selin Buyan: Selin Buyan, a founding member of the United Nations Association Campus Chapter at the University of Georgia, hosted an informative workshop on navigating the U.S. healthcare system. Her comprehensive guidance on finding affordable healthcare options and overcoming language barriers provided essential knowledge for attendees seeking medical care.
Arda Seckiner: Arda Seckiner, the UNA-Atlanta Youth Envoy for Global Goal 3: Good Health & Well-being, conducted a workshop focusing on children's oral health. His efforts to promote proper oral hygiene practices among children highlighted the significance of early dental care and access to essential dental services for underserved communities.
The UN Day 2023 event organized by the United Nations Association of Atlanta provided a platform for meaningful discussions, valuable insights, and community engagement. The contributions of the keynote speakers and workshop leaders highlighted the importance of equity, education, healthcare, and cultural integration in building a more inclusive and empowered society.
The event's success was a testament to the commitment of the UN Association of Atlanta to advocate for the values and principles of the United Nations.
The United Nations Association of the United States of America – Atlanta Chapter recognizes the following Partners and sponsors for their contributions to our 2023 UN Day Event:
DeKalb County School District, Dr. Devon Horton, Superintendent
Indian Creek Elementary School
Stephanie Brown-Bryant, Principal
Monica Mclester, Assistant Principal
BabatunJi Farinu, Assistant Principal
Dr. Adam Nykamp, STEM Instructor
Dekalb County Communications Department
Richard Stephens
British Consulate Colin Gray
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Matt Reynolds
Delegate for Georgia, Refugee Congress, Dr. Heval Kelli
Molly Read Woo, Founder, Planet Atlanta
Alexis Stewart, Founder, Rinnovi Educational Consulting
Emmanuel Miot, Founder & CEO SocialAim
Selin Buyan, Founding Member, UNA Campus Chapter, University of Georgia
UNA Atlanta Chapter members and Board Members
Selen Beduk, President
Tracy Gray, VP of Advocacy
Nalat Phanit Black, VP of Education
Ikoie Norman, Senior Director, Fundraising Strategy and Engagement
Workshop Leaders
Selin Buyan and UGA Volunteers
Alexis Stewart
Arda Seckiner
Emanuel Miot
Molly Read Woo
Eileen Gray
Refuge Coffee
Buse’s Kitchen
Planet Atlanta
Rinnovi Educational Consulting
British Consulate General Atlanta
About our Keynote Speakers and Workshop Leads:
Dr. Devon Horton serves as superintendent of the DeKalb County School District, managing the day-to-day operations of a diverse educational system with more than 92,000 students, 14,500 employees, and a budget of $2.6 billion.
Since 2020, Dr. Devon Horton has served as the proud Superintendent of Evanston/Skokie School District 65, a pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade school district just north of Chicago. Dr. Horton is a native Chicagoan who was impacted by redlining and learned the value of equity early. Throughout his experience across multiple states in education, from the lens of a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, Chief of Schools, and now Superintendent, passion, persistence, and powerful practices are his proven formula for success. Dr. Horton’s research is focused on school leaders’ impact on Turnaround Schools.
He is a Disruptive leader with an unwavering belief in the potential for success for all children. He has a proven track record of transforming educational institutions into sustainable, high-performing organizations. His accomplishments in leadership were rooted in Chicago Public Schools. Under Dr. Horton’s leadership, every team he has led developed a robust culture of equity-centered decision-making. Data and research provide the target, but the art and science of teaching is where the magic happens for all marginalized students.
Dr. Horton is eager to support communities to help identify leaders and educators with the desire and passion to make a difference in today’s society. He is a leader who creates a sense of urgency to create systemic and sustainable change. Dr. Horton is seen as an anti-racist leader nationwide and has presented his work at several local, regional, and national education-related conferences. He was recently honored with the 2022 RTM National EdTech All-Star award for his support in the education of other dynamic leaders.
Dr. Horton lives by the “Equity in Action” creed and believes it is the only way to build systemic change, focusing on shifting policy, people, and practice. He has made Urban Teacher Residency programs for three different school districts. These programs prioritize selecting and training future teachers who must have a strong belief that all students can learn and meet their maximum potential. While serving in his third year as District 65 Superintendent, he was awarded the National Alliance of Black School Educators 2022-2023 Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Horton created and lived by the motto, “Students do not fail; the systems we create as adults fail our students!”
Since 2020, Dr. Devon Horton has served as the proud Superintendent of Evanston/Skokie School District 65, a pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade school district just north of Chicago. Dr. Horton is a native Chicagoan who was impacted by redlining and learned the value of equity early. Throughout his experience across multiple states in education, from the lens of a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, Chief of Schools, and now Superintendent, passion, persistence, and powerful practices are his proven formula for success. Dr. Horton’s research is focused on school leaders’ impact on Turnaround Schools.
He is a Disruptive leader with an unwavering belief in the potential for success for all children. He has a proven track record of transforming educational institutions into sustainable, high-performing organizations. His accomplishments in leadership were rooted in Chicago Public Schools. Under Dr. Horton’s leadership, every team he has led developed a robust culture of equity-centered decision-making. Data and research provide the target, but the art and science of teaching is where the magic happens for all marginalized students.
Dr. Horton is eager to support communities to help identify leaders and educators with the desire and passion to make a difference in today’s society. He is a leader who creates a sense of urgency to create systemic and sustainable change. Dr. Horton is seen as an anti-racist leader nationwide and has presented his work at several local, regional, and national education-related conferences. He was recently honored with the 2022 RTM National EdTech All-Star award for his support in the education of other dynamic leaders.
Dr. Horton lives by the “Equity in Action” creed and believes it is the only way to build systemic change, focusing on shifting policy, people, and practice. He has made Urban Teacher Residency programs for three different school districts. These programs prioritize selecting and training future teachers who must have a strong belief that all students can learn and meet their maximum potential. While serving in his third year as District 65 Superintendent, he was awarded the National Alliance of Black School Educators 2022-2023 Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Horton created and lived by the motto, “Students do not fail; the systems we create as adults fail our students!”
Colin R. Gray is a career diplomat who is currently Deputy Consul General at the British Consulate General in Atlanta. Prior to joining the team in Atlanta, Colin served as Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General at the British Embassy in Lima, Peru (2017 – 2021).
Previous roles include Head of the UN Political Team in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (2014-2017) and Head of Communications at the British Embassy in Seoul, Korea (2011-2014).
Colin is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde, and holds a Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) degree. A former newspaper journalist, he also holds an Advanced Certificate in Public Relations from the UK’s Chartered Institute of Public Relations. He speaks fluent Spanish and Korean.
A proud Scotsman, Colin is married to Nicolle and they have two children, Georgia (6) and Logan (4).
Previous roles include Head of the UN Political Team in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (2014-2017) and Head of Communications at the British Embassy in Seoul, Korea (2011-2014).
Colin is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde, and holds a Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) degree. A former newspaper journalist, he also holds an Advanced Certificate in Public Relations from the UK’s Chartered Institute of Public Relations. He speaks fluent Spanish and Korean.
A proud Scotsman, Colin is married to Nicolle and they have two children, Georgia (6) and Logan (4).
Dr. Heval Kelli is a Syrian Kurdish-born physician. He moved to the United States as refugee two weeks after 9/11 and enrolled at Georgia State 10 months later as a freshman. He graduated Summa Cum Laude while working as a dishwasher and he was later accepted to Morehouse School of Medicine, where he graduated Cum Laude. He finished his internal medicine residency with honorable distinction then completed cardiology fellowship at Emory University in 2020. He co-founded and operated several non-profit organizations focused on medical education (Young Physician Initiative), mentorship (U-Beyond, Mentorship Initiative for New Americans) and healthcare outreach (You4Prevent). Dr. Kelli was named the 2017 Friend of Freedom award. He received the 40 under 40 awards at each institute where he completed his education including the 2018 inaugural Georgia State University 40 under 40 award, 2019 Morehouse School of Medicine 10 under 40 and 2019 Emory University 40 under 40 alumni award. He also received the first Points of Light award after the passing of President George H.W. Bush. Furthermore, he published over 50 scientific articles in the field of preventive cardiology while implementing his work in underrepresented communities. His remarkable journey and work were praised by Presidents Carter, Bush, Obama and United Nations Secretary-General while featured on national and international news including the Emory University, Associated Press, Washington Post, NY Times, New Yorker, Hulu, WHO, UN, CNN, NPR, and more.
Alexis Stewart is an educator with over 20 years of experience in curriculum, instruction, and educational programming for youth and adult learners. Alexis was born into a family of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) graduates and raised in Columbia, Maryland. Alexis has called Atlanta home since 2011. Mrs. Stewart attended Howard University from 1995 to 1999 where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. Alexis began teaching science in Howard County, Maryland in 2001. She continued her education and earned a Master's Degree in Life Science from the University of Maryland in 2005. In 2012, Alexis joined the International Baccalaureate (IB) community as a science teacher at Atlanta International School where she worked closely with the development team. Alexis created Rinnovi Educational Consulting in 2014 and is the Managing Director. Some of her clients include International Baccalaureate Organization and Georgia Institute of Technology. Alexis was invited to join the International Baccalaureate Educator Network (IBEN) in 2015 where her consultant roles include School Site Verification Visitor and Evaluator, Building Quality Curriculum Senior Reviewer, Webinar Developer, and Workshop Facilitator. In March of 2021, Mrs. Stewart began teaching ESOL Biology at North Atlanta High School (NAHS) within the Atlanta Public School System. She created a Newcomer program to support immigrant and multilingual learners and connected them with mentors through a Students mentoring program, Student Empowerment Society. Mrs.Stewart serves as the DLI (Dual Language Immersion) Lead at NAHS. Alexis Stewart is an active member of New Horizon Baptist Church, Grove Park Neighborhood Association, and on the Zone 1 Safety Advisory Committee, and the Board of Directors as Vice President of Curriculum & Development for Every Girl Shines. Alexis loves the outdoors, yoga, rating beaches globally, and traveling anywhere that she can be immersed in and appreciate the sun, different languages and cultures.
Alexis hosted the workshop, Accessing Mental Health Services in Atlanta, providing information about available mental health services and resources in the Atlanta area. Participants will learn how to find culturally competent mental health providers, understand insurance coverage, and access affordable or free mental health support. It will also address the stigma often associated with seeking mental health care.
Alexis hosted the workshop, Accessing Mental Health Services in Atlanta, providing information about available mental health services and resources in the Atlanta area. Participants will learn how to find culturally competent mental health providers, understand insurance coverage, and access affordable or free mental health support. It will also address the stigma often associated with seeking mental health care.
Emmanuel Miot is a dynamic and dedicated professional with a deep passion for fostering growth, building communities, and promoting equity for all. With almost two decades of experience in business development and leadership, he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to driving positive change and empowering individuals and communities. Emmanuel's journey as a Founder & CEO of socialaim.co reflects his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to social impact.
Drawing from his own experiences as a founder, Emmanuel offers hands-on guidance and innovative business solutions that address some unique challenges faced by social entrepreneurs, helping them bring their visions to life. His expertise extends to areas such as marketing, creative design thinking, sales, and evaluating product market fit for startups, where he has achieved remarkable results. He possesses a keen ability to strategize, collaborate, and implement lasting change across diverse settings. With fluency in Haitian Creole and French, his goals are to extend his reach and impact to a global scale.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Emmanuel's dedication to positive change shines through his volunteer work with local nonprofits and organizations. In his spare time, Emmanuel enjoys spending time with family, meeting new people, playing golf, or learning something new. His diverse experiences and unwavering dedication to making the world a better place make him a remarkable and inspiring individual.
Emmanuel hosted the workshop, Cultural Transition and Identity, exploring the complexities of cultural identity and the challenges of adapting to a new culture. Refugees will have the opportunity to share their experiences and engage in discussions about preserving their cultural heritage while embracing their new life in Atlanta. The workshop will offer tools for fostering a strong sense of self and belonging.
Drawing from his own experiences as a founder, Emmanuel offers hands-on guidance and innovative business solutions that address some unique challenges faced by social entrepreneurs, helping them bring their visions to life. His expertise extends to areas such as marketing, creative design thinking, sales, and evaluating product market fit for startups, where he has achieved remarkable results. He possesses a keen ability to strategize, collaborate, and implement lasting change across diverse settings. With fluency in Haitian Creole and French, his goals are to extend his reach and impact to a global scale.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Emmanuel's dedication to positive change shines through his volunteer work with local nonprofits and organizations. In his spare time, Emmanuel enjoys spending time with family, meeting new people, playing golf, or learning something new. His diverse experiences and unwavering dedication to making the world a better place make him a remarkable and inspiring individual.
Emmanuel hosted the workshop, Cultural Transition and Identity, exploring the complexities of cultural identity and the challenges of adapting to a new culture. Refugees will have the opportunity to share their experiences and engage in discussions about preserving their cultural heritage while embracing their new life in Atlanta. The workshop will offer tools for fostering a strong sense of self and belonging.
Molly Read Woo grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, then studied in Denmark, Italy, and Boston before graduating with honors from the UGA School of Journalism. She reported for several newspapers in the Southeast, winning six Georgia Press Association Awards for writing and photography before moving to Japan, where she worked for the Ministry of Education.
Returning stateside, she founded Planet Atlanta, the first news journal dedicated to covering the international communities within a major U.S. city. In 2006, she presented The Read Report, a documentary to help Georgia improve the effectiveness of its crisis preparedness programs.
The premier edition of Ms. Woo's first novel, The Red and Black Breed, a murder mystery set at the University of Georgia, came out in Summer, 2011, and retails exclusively through independent bookstores.
In 2021, Molly founded Planet Atlanta.org to support legislation to reduce our carbon foot print, fight the effects of global warming and to create environmentally friendly, self-sustaining cities. Ms. Woo resides in Atlanta, along with her son, Max Woo.
Molly hosted the interactive workshop, Storytelling for Youths, where youths get to share stories and their dreams for the future. There will be arts and crafts and sing-a-longs.
Returning stateside, she founded Planet Atlanta, the first news journal dedicated to covering the international communities within a major U.S. city. In 2006, she presented The Read Report, a documentary to help Georgia improve the effectiveness of its crisis preparedness programs.
The premier edition of Ms. Woo's first novel, The Red and Black Breed, a murder mystery set at the University of Georgia, came out in Summer, 2011, and retails exclusively through independent bookstores.
In 2021, Molly founded Planet Atlanta.org to support legislation to reduce our carbon foot print, fight the effects of global warming and to create environmentally friendly, self-sustaining cities. Ms. Woo resides in Atlanta, along with her son, Max Woo.
Molly hosted the interactive workshop, Storytelling for Youths, where youths get to share stories and their dreams for the future. There will be arts and crafts and sing-a-longs.
Selin Buyan is a founding member of United Nations Association Campus Chapter at the University of Georgia.
Selin hosted the workshop, Navigating the U.S. Healthcare System, covering topics such as finding a doctor, understanding health insurance, making appointments, and accessing affordable healthcare options. Additionally, her workshop will address cultural nuances and language barriers that may arise when seeking medical care.
Selin hosted the workshop, Navigating the U.S. Healthcare System, covering topics such as finding a doctor, understanding health insurance, making appointments, and accessing affordable healthcare options. Additionally, her workshop will address cultural nuances and language barriers that may arise when seeking medical care.
Arda Seckiner is an UNA-Atlanta Youth Envoy: Global Goal 3: Good Health & Well-being. When Arda went to the dentist for the first time, he fell in love with the science and was fascinated by the fact some man took a sharp chisel and scraped my teeth. However, his dentist also said he could keep his teeth clean by brushing and flossing. So, he would do it everyday. However, one day Arda noticed that some people had come to school without brushing their teeth, so he asked why, and they said that they didn’t have the materials to do so. When Arda heard this, he knew he had to make a difference, so Arda's mission is to give less fortunate kids in his area a chance to have a clean and healthy mouth.
Arda hosted the workshop Team Up on Your Teeth, which will focus on children's oral health. It will cover topics such as proper brushing techniques for kids, and the importance of early dental check-ups. Participants will receive guidance on finding pediatric dental providers and accessing dental care for their children, including information on the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Arda hosted the workshop Team Up on Your Teeth, which will focus on children's oral health. It will cover topics such as proper brushing techniques for kids, and the importance of early dental check-ups. Participants will receive guidance on finding pediatric dental providers and accessing dental care for their children, including information on the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Special thanks to our partnering organizations:
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