Teach for America Recognizes NYC Junior Ambassadors Program
Our SDG Youth Leader Reyna Stovall (top row, 2nd from left) with other UNA-USA reps.
Last month, I was honored to attend the annual Teach For America (TFA) Gala on behalf of UNA-NYC. TFA, a non-profit organization that works to bridge the opportunity gap in education for students in low-income areas, held the event on April 26th and honored National TFA Board Chair Meg Witman for her work and dedication to TFA and its mission.
At the gala, numerous guest speakers highlighted the importance and life-changing effects of TFA's work, including Charity Haygood and Tia Morris, TFA Alumni; Elisa Villanueva Bear, TFA CEO; and Linnea Conrad Roberts and Lori Beer, TFA Regional Board members. After a performance of Rihanna’s song “Diamonds” by the Voices of Up school choir, gala attendees were able to socialize and hear the experiences of students and teachers who have been transformed by the work that TFA has done, not just in New York City but throughout the entire United States.
Along with representatives from other UNA-USA chapters in the New York area, I had the opportunity to attend this gala due to UNA-NYC’s involvement in former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s NYC Junior Ambassadors program, an initiative commended by TFA that brings UN Ambassadors and classrooms together in order to teach students about the SDGs and broader global issues.
Last May, UNA-NYC kicked off a virtual partnership with the Mott Hall School in Harlem for the NYCJA program, focusing on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) through the lens of forced child marriage. Our partner organization Freedom United also joined in on the project. Students were engaged in the topic by watching Sitara: Let Girls Dream, an award-winning animated short film depicting a child marriage in Lahore, Pakistan, before discussing the events of the film and how they relate to child marriage in New York City.
As my time with UNA-NYC comes to an end and I write my final article of the semester, I am feeling immense gratitude for all the SDG Youth Leaders program has taught me. This was the first internship of my college career and my biggest takeaway has been how the practical implementation of public policy is carried out through the United Nations, as well as how to engage with critical world issues via social media, public resources, and journalism. From the inner workings of events and the different kinds of article writing techniques to navigating professional discussions at a gala, I have not only grown academically but have gained new skills that I know will persist in both my professional and personal lives. Overall, thanks to UNA-NYC’s SDG Youth Leaders Program, I have been able to expand my writing skills and contribute to enhancing awareness of UN values, events, and public policy initiatives. Thank you to UNA-NYC for this amazing opportunity.