TCA Announces Study in Turkey Scholarships for African American Students
Program Launched in Cooperation with Diversity Abroad and other African American Institutions

Washington, DC, December 11, 2007 - Today, the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) announced the launch of a study in Turkey scholarship program for African American students. The program will be administered in cooperation with Diversity Abroad and other African American institutions. TCA through Diversity Abroad will award up to 50 grants per year in the amount of $2,000 for full-time African American undergraduates, who have been accepted to a study abroad program for a semester at a Turkish university. The key objective of the program is for African American students to foster friendship, understanding and cooperation between the United States and Turkey.

Lincoln McCurdy, President of the Turkish Coalition of America stated that TCA was delighted to offer this opportunity to African American students and establish a bridge of friendship between the Turkish American and African American communities. “TCA’s generous scholarship will help more African American students in becoming global citizens as they explore Turkey; a diverse country that connects two continents and that has played a pivotal role, both in the past and present, in shaping our modern world” said Andrew Gordon, founder of Diversity Abroad.

The program will also be promoted by the Ron Brown Scholar Program. “We are thrilled to work with the Turkish Coalition of America to share this incredible opportunity with our academically talented, highly motivated African American students,” said Michael Mallory, Ron Brown Scholar Program Executive Director. “The Ron Brown Scholar Program continuously provides new and challenging opportunities such as this for our scholars to become world citizens and agents of change in a global community.”

The program also received accolades from members of Congress.

“I commend the Turkish Coalition of America for its efforts to build bridges between the United States and Turkey,” said Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. “I support this initiative, which provides African American students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge about our important ally and to experience life in a critical part of the world.”

“I laud TCA for reaching out to the African American community in establishing this scholarship program.  I have always been very fond of Turkey and her people and have continued to support Turkish initiatives in Congress throughout my tenure.  I look forward to working with TCA on such an important scholarship program,” said Congressman Alcee L. Hastings, Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission).
In support of the program, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, a member of the Congressional Turkish Caucus, said “I have enjoyed working with TCA in promoting U.S.-Turkish relations, and I am excited that TCA is providing the opportunity for more African American college students to study in Turkey.  Students are going to love the beauty, history of Turkey and her people and will find an inspiring environment in pursuing their studies.”

Students who are interested in doing a study abroad program in Turkey should go to www.DiversityAbroad.com/scholarships, to learn on how to apply for the TCA scholarship.
About TCA: The Turkish Coalition of America (TCA), founded in February 2007 is an educational and charitable organization established to foster a greater understanding of issues impacting the Turkish American community through public education both in Washington and across the country.  For more information, please visit www.turkishcoalitionofamerica.org. 

About Diversity Abroad: Diversity Abroad was founded to address low participation among minority and low-income students in study abroad. Through the website, DiversityAbroad.com, on-campus outreach, and working with education professionals, Diversity Abroad strives to ensure that all students are aware and have access to study abroad opportunities. For more information visit www.DiversityAbroad.com.