An independent, U.S.-based nonprofit founded in 2007 to build bridges between the U.S. and Turkey through advocacy, scholarship and educational programs. An independent, U.S.-based nonprofit founded in 2007 to build bridges between the United States and THE ORGANIZATON'S MISSION IS TO: EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT TURKEY AND TURKISH AMERICANS AND VOICE THEIR OPINIONS ON CRITICAL ISSUES TO INTERESTED PARTIES; ENGAGE AND CULTIVATE A NEW GENERATION OF TURKISH AMERICAN LEADERS; PROMOTE AND ADVANCE THE INTERESTS OF THE TURKISH AMERICAN COMMUNITY; FOSTER FRIENDSHIP, UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND TURKEY; PROTECT THE CHARACTER AND ENSURE A REALISTIC PORTRAYAL OF TURKEY AND TURKISH AMERICANS IN THE MEDIA AND THE ARTS; SERVE AS A THINK TANK OF EXPERTISE AND A CLEARINGHOUSE OF INFORMATION ON TURKEY AND AMERICANS OF TURKISH DESCENT; IDENTIFY AND RECOGNIZE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF TURKISH AMERICANS IN ACADEMIA, ARTS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE AND SCIENCE. IN CARRYING OUT ITS MISSION, TCA IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING COALITIONS AND WORKING WITH ALL LIKE MINDED ORGANIZATIONS, BASED ON SHARED VALUES AND GOALS, ON THE LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS. THE ORGANIZATION PURSUES ITS GOALS BY: SPONSORING AND