President's Report: Looking Back at 2023

Hello ATA-DC Friends;

As 2023 is coming to an end, I would like to give you a year-end update on the ATA-DC activities and initiatives in 2023. We want to take this opportunity to thank our community for supporting ATA-DC in our conquest for a stronger and more visible Turkish-American Community in the heart of the nation’s capital. It is with your support that we are able to strengthen and enrich the Turkish-American community in many ways in the Washington DC metropolitan area and serve you all.

All the activities mentioned below are organized and carried out by our dedicated community members and volunteers. Your membership dues and donations allow us to plan and deliver all these activities and promote the Turkish Culture in the nation’s capital. Your donations, support, volunteerism, ideas, and engagement are the key elements that make a difference!

Please remember that we need your support to continue our education and cultural programs. For a stronger Turkish-American Community in the nation’s capital, please consider becoming an ATA-DC member or renewing your membership and make a tax-deductible, year-end donation.

On behalf of ATA-DC's Board of Directors, while we extend our warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year, we invite you to read about the achievements your generous contributions made possible in 2023.

March 9, 2023 - ATA-DC's 17th Annual International Women's Day Event

March 25, 2023 - ATA-DC Navroz Bazaar

April 23, 2023 - Atatürk School Children's Day celebration

May 19, 2023 - Commemoration of Atatürk with Young Cultural Ambassadors at Turkevi and Atatürk Monument.

May 21, 2023 - ATA-DC organized an Earthquake Relief Fundraiser Concert.

May 23, 2023 - "Turkish Cuisine Week" reception at the U.S. Congress.

June 15, 2023 - Father’s Day community picnic and elections

September 1, 2023 - Ataturk School New School Year Ceremony

September 15, 2023 - Community Education Series Event - Legal Aspects of US Citizenship

September 27, 2023 - Informational Seminar on Turkiye-US Relations

October 5, 2023 - Turkish Heritage Month celebration

October 7, 2023 - Turkish Folklore Dance Workshop with Yeliz Dingler and Kardelen Turkish Dance Ensemble

October 15, 2023 - Award Winning Turkish Festival

October 15, 2023 - Demir Demirkan Concert

October 22, 2023 - Turkish Coffee with a screening of the documentary “Turkish Coffee Tales of Anatolia”

October 29, 2023 - Republic of Turkiye Centennial Celebration Ball

November 16, 2023 - ATA-DC Atatürk Memorial Event in the U.S. Capitol

November 24, 2023 - Manga Fundraiser Concert

December 3, 2023 - 2nd Turkish Folklore Dance Workshop with Yeliz Dingler and Kardelen Turkish Dance Ensemble

Unfortunately, we started the year with devastating news. On February 6, 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked southeast Turkey, with thousands of aftershocks, leaving behind devastation in 11 cities. Tens of thousands of people perished and over one hundred thousand were injured. ATA-DC immediately responded to this disaster by starting an online aid campaign. With your support and a strong collaboration between ATA-DC and Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF), ATA-DC’s Earthquake relief effort has been supported by more than 1500 donors and raised over $250,000. 

Following individual meetings with each non-profit organization and their Presidents, a thorough assessment of their needs and board discussions, we have determined to allocate these immediate emergency funds as follows:

* $120.000 were distributed to the Akut Foundation (AKUT Vakfi) under the leadership of Mr. Nasuh Mahruki to build hygiene facilities in Hatay. These facilities have served thousands of victims free of charge with a place for basic hygiene such as clean water for showers, washing hair, and haircuts. Due to the lack of fundamental services these have become havens for the neighborhoods. This has been significant in the reduction of widespread issues such as lice infestations. Lastly, each facility has brought a bit of civility back providing residents a place to congregate and meet with their neighbors over something we take for granted.

Akut Hygiene Center staff and a young earthquake survivor

* $50.000 was distributed to the Koruncuk Foundation and was used to provide for one year school, dorm, and basic needs for girls who lost their family members and were transferred from the earthquake area to the Koruncuk villages. This fund has helped many school girls to have temporary accommodation in the midst of harsh winter conditions.

* $30.000 was distributed to AHBAP Association (AHBAP Vakfi) under the leadership of Mr. Haluk Levent to support establishing a 12 classroom school in the earthquake area. While the trauma of the earthquake will indelibly remain in the memories of its young survivors, education serves as a vital tool to alleviate their pain and pave the way towards normalization. Your donation has played a crucial role in shaping a brighter future for the children of Turkey.

* $50.000 of the funds was transferred to Cukurova University to provide prostheses for children who were left amputated due to the earthquake. Children who, in the wake of this devastating earthquake, have not only lost their parents and families but also faced the challenge of adapting to life with lost limbs, will find new hope through this donation. Your generous contributions significantly aid in providing them with a renewed sense of hope and support.

Throughout 2023, we have tirelessly continued our fundraising efforts to support the victims of the earthquake. ATA-DC's 17th Annual International Women's Day Event took place at the Turkish Ambassador’s Residence on March 9, 2023. The event raised more than $15,000 in support of the earthquake survivor girls' education. The event's keynote speaker was Dilek Livaneli, who is the first Turkish teacher chosen as one of the World's best 50 teachers and recognized as one of the eight most inspiring women in the World by the European Parliament. Ms. Livaneli was also nominated for the Noble Global Teacher Prize. Ms. Livaneli was presented the ATA-DC's 2023 International Women's Day Leadership Award after her inspiring speech at the event. Dr. Zakira Hekmat, who has just received the International Women of Courage Award at the White House from First Lady Jill Biden and the Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, also participated at the event. Dr. Hekmat shared her inspiring journey to receive an education starting during the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and extending to Turkiye, where she studied to become a medical doctor.

Dilek Livaneli keynote speaker at ATA-DC's International Women's Day event

Dr. Zakira Hekmat, recipient of the International Women of Courage Award

On March 25, 2023, ATA-DC board members and our volunteers participated at the Navruz Bazaar in partnership with George Washington University Central Asia Program. ATA-DC served Turkish Coffee and irresistible Turkish baklava at this event. $1,000 raised from the sales at the ATA-DC's booth benefited the earthquake victims through ATA-DC’s TPF Earthquake Relief Fund.  

As cultural exchange through education remains a priority for us, our ATA-DC’s ATATÜRK School has had a rewarding year in educating many Turkish-American Children. We ended the 2022-2023 school year with our 23 April celebration. Children were able to showcase their talents with dances, songs, and poetry. We thank all the parents and our sponsors without whom this wonderful event could not have been possible. We started the 2023-2024 school year in September with 31 students. The school provides a connection to Turkish history and culture for children here and helps them to take pride in their heritage with other children and friends. They also receive formal Turkish language classes. We strongly urge all members to fully utilize this service by enrolling their children in the school. Given the evident social development in our students and their dedication, we believe this presents an excellent opportunity for our community.  

On May 21, 2023, ATA-DC organized an Earthquake Relief Fundraiser Concert where local artists performed. This event raised over $10.000. We thank all the volunteers and Artists (Zafer Cimbil & Hande Yasar, Seksen Rock Band, Busra Kayi Tarhan and Ocean Band, Herb Scott, Ahmet Kilic and Metin Bilgic, Jalal Kimia Persian Percussion Academy, and Asli Gultekin Ozek and Grace Buck) who donated their time and talent to make this event a success. All funds raised went to the CATE (Child Amputees of the Turkiye Earthquakes) project providing prostheses for child victims of the earthquake.

On May 23, 2023, we also focused on the cultural education aspect of ATA-DC’s mission. Through a joint event with Congressman Pete Sessions' office, the ATA-DC Board of Directors was proud to present the "Turkish Cuisine Week" reception at the U.S. Congress. We were honored to welcome Congressman Pete Sessions, Congressman Robert Aderholt, Turkish Ambassador Murat Mercan, Madam Mercan, State Delegate Ashanti Martinez, Mr. Kevin Craft from Governor Wes Moore's Office of Community Initiatives, and other distinguished guests. Our keynote speaker was Ms. Gamze Cizreli, the founder of the BigChefs restaurant chain and a global ambassador for gastro diplomacy. The event was packed with our members and guests.

In June we had our annual Father’s Day picnic where we also introduced the new board. We had over 100 members gathered to celebrate Father’s Day and mingle.

September 15, 2023, we introduced a new community education series with the first being an informational seminar on the path to American citizenship. The session was led by Attorney Tolga Ozek. who walked through the process and forms normally needed to become a U.S. citizen. The session was quickly sold out. The audience was very engaged, and we received very positive feedback. We are planning more of these sessions in the future.

The second of these informational seminars happened on September 27, 2023. The session was led by Prof. Dr. Sinem Akgul Acikmese who is the Department Chair of International Relations at Kadir Has University in Istanbul. Prof. Dr. Acikmese discussed Türkiye’s search for balance in foreign policy and its relations with the West given its unique position between the East and the West. This was again a sold-out event where the audience was very engaged.

We started Turkish heritage month on October 5, 2023, with a fantastic cocktail at Michelin rated Ala Restaurant in partnership with DC Social. We had a great crowd. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, proceeds from the evening helped with the organization of the festival.

As part of our cultural education and bringing communities together we started a Turkish folklore dance workshop program. We had two sessions to date with the first on October 7, 2023, and the second December 3, 2023. Many thanks to Yeliz Dingler, former dancer of the world-renowned Fire of Anatolia dance troupe, for leading these workshops which have become a much sought after event by the participants.

ATA-DC’s Turkish Festival committee members are very proud that the DC Turkish Festival won the “Best Arts & Culture Festival” title again this year in the City Paper’s Annual Best of DC competition! As you all know, the festival is ATA-DC’s signature event where we have the opportunity to introduce our rich culture to more than 20,000 participants. At this year's festival, on October 15, 2023, we hosted a variety of cultural exhibits from copper and ceramic art to outstanding examples of Turkish music, folk dances, and cuisine. We also had an amazing art exhibit of 100 images of Atatürk commemorating the 100th year of the Republic of Turkiye, made by artist in residence Hasan Kale. He used coffee grounds as his paint.

This year we were privileged to have Turkish Rock Star Demir Demirkan join our festival on stage to the delight of the thousands in attendance. Demir Demirkan is a 25+ year veteran singer-songwriter who has produced and released close to 50 solo and collaborative albums and singles ranging from blues, rock, metal to film and TV series soundtracks composed for symphony orchestras, choirs and Anatolian instruments.

ATA-DC’s Young Cultural Ambassador program is another of our popular programs. Every year at the festival we bring the graduating members of the Youth Cultural Ambassador Program (YCAP) on stage for recognition as they receive their certificate of completion. Established in 2017, ATA-DC's YCAP initiative is another of our highly popular programs and in its 8th year, we had a record number of 38 participants. Open to high school students from across the United States, the program is run in a hybrid format and aims to empower youth leaders through civic engagement, volunteerism, and cultural diplomacy. Participants attend lectures by experts in a variety of fields including entrepreneurship, politics, academics, diplomacy, art as well as others. Participants also complete both individual and team projects.

On October 22, 2023, we celebrated the rich heritage of Turkish Coffee with a screening of the documentary “Turkish Coffee Tales of Anatolia”. This was yet again another sold out event where Turkish coffee was provided by the Turkish Coffee Lady. Attendees learned that Turkish coffee was admitted to UNESCO’s World Heritage list as a “cultural inheritance that has to be protected”.

This year’s Republic Day Ball was exceptionally special as we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkiye. Held at the spectacular Waldorf Astoria in the heart of D.C. our members and friends truly came out to celebrate. We sold out twice but were able to work with the venue to increase the size of the ballroom in order to accommodate the largest ball ATA-DC has ever had. Büşra Kayı Tarhan entertained the crowd during dinner and DJ Serkan took over while the crowd danced. We unveiled a 20’ tall banner of Ataturk which became the backdrop for thousands of pictures.

On November 16, 2023, ATA-DC hosted a memorial event honoring our founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on the 85’th year anniversary of his passing in the U.S. Capitol building. The event was made possible in collaboration with Congressman Joe Wilson’s office. This event was noteworthy as it was held in the U.S. Congress, significantly contributing to the recognition and promotion of Atatürk's legacy as a great leader and visionary among members of the U.S. Congress and their staff. 

During the congressional event, master of micro art Hasan Kale performed a live demonstration where he handpainted Atatürk and his mausoleum on a Turkish coffee saucer. Known as “Turkey’s Microangelo”, Kale’s exquisitely detailed paintings include pumpkin seeds, coffee beans, rice grains, chickpeas and tiny discarded items such as matchsticks to bottle caps. By drawing and painting on micro-objects with exquisite detail, Kale opens a new window and perspective that builds up a new language in the art world.

The Finale with the Award-winning Rock Band maNga!

Our finale for this eventful year was an outstanding charity concert starring internationally award-winning rock group maNga. We were able to reserve the fabulous Capital One Hall in Tyson’s Corner for this spectacular event. maNga got everyone up out of their seats and rocked the house. The band graciously donated their time and efforts to help our cause. ATA-DC, and our sponsors, including Capital One, were able to cover all expenses so that all ticket proceeds went to our charity partners supporting the children impacted by the earthquakes this year. Specifically, $20,000 was raised and will be used for prosthetics to help a multitude of amputee children in the affected area live better lives. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to maNga and all the sponsors that helped make this such an amazing evening.

Final Remarks With Gratitude

This year has been significant for ATA-DC as we have reached a record number of new members and donations and this prompted us to continue our efforts in modernizing our systems and establishing new protocols, reflecting the growth and success of our organization. Another factor for these new protocols was, during this year's election, the election committee (comprising two board members and two independent members) promptly detected a fraudulent attempt within our election system during the election of the new Board. The committee immediately informed the Board and halted the election process for a detailed investigation.

Acting on the advice of our IT Chair and the Election Committee, the Board resolved to adopt a more secure, third-party election software. This software is designed to allow anonymous data monitoring during and after the voting period, ensuring data integrity. Importantly, the system is structured in such a way that it cannot be manipulated by voters, Board members, general members, or external parties. Only the independent third-party company, which supplied the software, has the capability to manage it, thereby safeguarding the election process against unauthorized alterations. This decision was made to ensure the integrity and trustworthiness of the election results. The election was subsequently reconducted without any signs of misconduct. A comprehensive report was prepared by the Election Committee, which received approval from our Board. This proactive approach underscores our commitment to maintaining transparency and upholding the highest standards in our electoral processes.

Furthermore, upon the conclusion of the election process, the Board decided to engage a cyber analytics company to investigate and comprehend the events that transpired and, if possible, to identify the individuals responsible for the attempted election fraud. The technical investigation yielded some information and the findings were presented to the Board, however due to the technical limitations in the previous software used, we have not been able to identify the perpetrators. 

We want to assure you of our commitment to preventing a recurrence of such incidents. To this end, we will continue to utilize the most reliable and appropriate voting services, as well as implement policies that guarantee controlled access to our systems. 

Before concluding my report, I would like to remind you that ATA-DC operates entirely on a volunteer basis. All the activities mentioned above are organized and carried out by our dedicated community members and volunteers. Your membership dues and donations allow us to plan and deliver all these activities and promote the Turkish Culture in the nation’s capital. Your donations, support, volunteerism, ideas, and engagement are the key elements that make a difference!

Please remember that we need your support to continue our educational and cultural programs. For a stronger Turkish-American Community in the nation’s capital, please consider becoming an ATA-DC member or renewing your membership and make a tax-deductible, year-end donation.

Once again, on behalf of ATA-DC’s Board of Directors, we wish you a Happy New Year!

A SPECIAL THANKS GOES TO OUR FANTASTIC SPONSORS WITHOUT WHOM WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRING YOU ALL OF THESE EVENTS

Centennial Ball Sponsors

Engine Holmstrom, Ahmet Halac of Halac Iron Works, Sezen Uysal of Roqos, Gunay Evinch of Salzman and Evinch PLLC, Gizem White of Gastrotolia, Mustafa Atac, Esma Akin, Esra Ozben, Lydia Borland of LBIS, Dr. Petek Sonmez, Aylin Cevik, Nur Calika

Festival Sponsors

The Turkish Embassy, Jeff Haertling of Marrow Mates, Sinem Vatanartiran of Bay Atlantic University, Gizem White of Gastrotolia, Ogun Yilmazer of Land Rover Alexandria, Timur Edip of Edip Law, Gunay Evinch of Salzman and Evinch PLLC, Ismail Shahtakhtinski of IS Law Firm, Nihal Civan of Ev A Team Realty, Burcu Oren of Borusan AS, Mel Golden of Mel Golden/Remax, Sezen Uysal of Roqos, , Goksel Genc of GateFurn, Irfan Yuksel of TechCycle, Kaya Biron of We Design Build, Zeynel Bal of WinWin Furniture, Lydia Borland of LBIS, Sule Kivanc-Ancieta of Bridge to Turkey Fund, Canan Buyukunsal of Chain Bridge Global, Aydjeren Tufan of Life Essentials Fund Inc., Suzan Hazer and Tugrul Senyurt of Amerika Ataturkcu Birlik ve Dayanisma Dernegi, Renewal by Anderson, Burcu Gundogan of Dilek Foundation, Sitki Kazanci

maNga Concert Sponsors

Ismail Uslu of Agora Restaurant, Sevtap-Brian Schreffler, Oguz Algan of Olgan LLC, Celal Gulluoglu of Ala Restaurant, Gizem White of Gastrotolia and Turkish Coffee Lady, Serkan Karamete of PQ Automotive, Onur Suer, Hulya Altinsoy of Bistro Cacao, Demet-Edwin Cabbar

US Congress Events Sponsors

Gizem White for Turkish Coffee Lady Foundation and Turkish Coffee Lady, Assembly of Turkish American Associations, Turkish American Cultural Society of Colorado, ATA-Houston, Turkish Women Initiative, Gunay Evinch on behalf of Turkish American National Steering Committee, Straife, Taskin Bakery, Cemal-Esen Kulak for Anatolian Bistro, Aykut Yekeler, Akif and Zulkuf Gezgic for Akivva Grill, Atilla Ozdemir of Fairfax Bakery

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