About the
Center
A 501(c)(3) charitable, cultural, and educational non-profit organization with no political affiliations.
Who We Are
Turkish Cultural Center is a non-political, non-governmental, not-for-profit civic entity that was established in 2006 by Turkish Americans who want to promote a strong Turkish American friendship with the hopes that it would promote peace throughout not just these two great nations but the rest of the world.
Turkish Cultural Center operates throughout New York and organizes trips, lectures, seminars, art exhibits, workshops, dinners, and conferences touching upon a broad category of topics — all aimed at informing the public about Turkish Americans and issues important to all of us as a nation.
Turkish Cultural Center serves all members of the community regardless of age, race, color, religion, creed, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.
Find Our Branches
Our Mission
Turkish Cultural Center New York is a 501(c)(3) charitable, cultural, educational, non-profit organization with no political affiliations dedicated to foster peace, dialogue, and friendship through Turkish history, art, culture, and tradition to the people in New York.
Our Vision
Turkish Cultural Center aims to build a constructive environment through its events and programs for members of different faiths, cultures, ethnicity, and world-views to exchange ideas and solve common problems.
Our Values
"With a cup of coffee comes friendship for forty years." — Turkish Proverb. We believe in the power of culture, dialogue, and shared humanity to unite communities and diminish prejudices.
FBI Director's Community Leadership Award
Turkish Cultural Center New York was honored with the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award — a prestigious national recognition given to organizations that demonstrate outstanding commitment to community service, interfaith dialogue, and public safety. This award reflects our enduring dedication to building bridges of understanding and strengthening the communities we serve.
"With a cup of coffee comes friendship for forty years."
— Turkish Proverb
What We Do
Comprehensive cultural programming for every member of our community.
Language Education
Turkish language courses from beginner to advanced, taught by certified instructors in a structured, engaging environment.
Scholarship Program
Annual scholarships for students pursuing Turkish studies, cultural education, and academic excellence in our community.
Community Events
Hundreds of cultural, social, and educational events each year, open to the entire New York community.
Arts & Culture
Calligraphy, painting, music, dance, and cooking classes preserving and sharing the rich traditions of Turkish heritage.
Cultural Exchange
Partnerships with schools, organizations, and civic institutions to promote cross-cultural understanding citywide.
Youth Programs
After-school programs, summer camps, and educational activities designed to keep young Turkish-Americans connected to their roots.
Our Partners
We are proud to collaborate with humanitarian organizations, government agencies, interfaith coalitions, and community groups who share our commitment to dialogue, service, and cultural understanding.
Embrace Relief
Co-organizing Qurbani meat distributions, Thanksgiving turkey drives, refugee relief campaigns, and food drives across New York.
Qurbani distribution in the Bronx with Senator Sepúlveda & NYCGA; Upstate NY refugee relief; blood drives with the American Red Cross.
The Blue Card Foundation
Co-founded a first-of-its-kind Holocaust education program for Muslim students in Brooklyn high schools — the only program of its kind in America.
Bringing together rabbis, imams, and educators to teach the history of the Holocaust and Muslim-Jewish relations.
American Red Cross
Partnered on community blood drives to support local blood supply needs across the New York metro area.
Blood donation drives organized with Embrace Relief at TCC centers.
Brooklyn Interfaith Coalition
Joint Independence Day and interfaith gatherings bringing together diverse faith communities across Brooklyn.
America250 4th of July celebration; year-round interfaith coalition events.
Bethel Worship Center
Partnered on Staten Island Thanksgiving turkey distributions serving families in need during the holiday season.
Annual Thanksgiving turkey drive on Staten Island.
Peace Islands Institute
Co-hosting peace festivals, dialogue forums, and educational programs fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Peace Festival partnerships and community dialogue initiatives.
Rise Center & UP United For Peace
Partnering on refugee relief and community programs across Upstate New York, covering Rochester, Buffalo, and beyond.
Upstate NY refugee relief campaign 2024.
U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation
Recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award for outstanding commitment to community service and interfaith dialogue.
Annual national recognition for community leadership.
New York City & State Government
Recognized by elected officials across the NYC Council, NYS Assembly, NYS Senate, and U.S. Congress for community contributions.
Citations from Senator Schumer, Leader Jeffries, Senator Persaud, and Mayor's Office.
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
Co-organized "The Year of Turkey" campaign and multiple academic panels exploring democratization, U.S.–Turkey relations, and the Middle East.
"Challenges to Democratization in the Middle East" panel series at NYIT.
Brooklyn Amity School
Partnered on youth programs, Turkish language and poetry competitions, and the first-of-its-kind Holocaust education program for Muslim students.
Annual Turkish language competitions; Holocaust education with The Blue Card Foundation.
NYPD Community Affairs Bureau
Hosted joint community iftar dinners and engagement events fostering trust and partnership between law enforcement and the Turkish American community.
TCCQ Iftar with NYPD Community Affairs Officers.
North East Islamic Community Center
Partnered on the 10th Annual Ramadan Tent Gatherings, an interfaith iftar serving 1,700 free meals with an imam, priest, and rabbi blessing the event.
Ramadan Tent Gatherings 2014 across New York City.
Temple Emanu-El — Center for Interfaith Dialogue
Co-hosted the annual Interfaith Iftar, bringing Jewish and Muslim New Yorkers together for Shabbat service followed by a shared Ramadan meal.
Sold-out Interfaith Iftar with Peace Islands Institute at Temple Emanu-El.
UJA-Federation of New York
Presented Abraham's Table interfaith gatherings with TCC Long Island, bringing together faith leaders for dialogue and community connection.
Abraham's Table of Long Island interfaith dialogue series.
Suffolk Y JCC
Co-presented Abraham's Table of Long Island interfaith gatherings, strengthening Jewish–Muslim dialogue across Suffolk County.
Abraham's Table gatherings with UJA-Federation and TCC Long Island.
Sasakawa Peace Foundation
Co-organized academic panels on Middle East democratization, contributing international policy perspectives to TCC's dialogue series at NYIT.
Dr. Akira Matsunaga panel on challenges to democratization in the Middle East.
Rethink Institute
Co-organized policy panels on Turkish politics, constitutional reform, and U.S.–Turkey relations featuring scholars and journalists.
"Turkey's Challenges on the Path of Democratization" panel in New York.
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with TACCI to strengthen ties between the Turkish American business community and Brooklyn's business network.
TACCI–Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce partnership agreement.
Maimonides Health
Community health partner serving the Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights neighborhoods, collaborating on community health needs assessments.
Bay Ridge community health initiatives and needs assessment.
Robin Hood Foundation
Listed TCC among partnered New York City community organizations working to combat poverty and support families in need.
NYC philanthropic partnership supporting community organizations.
St. John’s University
Co-organized academic conferences and information sessions with TCC, including a 2011 conference at the St. John’s campus and joint Staten Island educational programs.
TCC Staten Island & St. John’s University co-organized information sessions; 2011 campus conference.
Brooklyn Public Library
Partnered on community cultural and educational programming, bringing Turkish heritage events, language activities, and family programming to library branches across Brooklyn.
Cultural and educational collaborations at Brooklyn Public Library branches.
Queens Public Library
Collaborated on cultural events and educational programming, sharing Turkish traditions, language, and arts with diverse communities across Queens.
Cultural programming at Queens Public Library locations.
TÜRKÇEDER — International Turkish Language Olympiad
TCC students participate in the International Turkish Language Olympiad, a worldwide competition organized by TÜRKÇEDER celebrating Turkish language and culture.
6th International Turkish Language Olympiad (2008) featuring 550 competitors from 110 countries.
Kids Academy New York
A sister organization of TCC New York dedicated to early childhood education, nurturing young learners through Turkish language, culture, and values-based programming.
Shared educational mission serving the Turkish-American community in New York.
Visit WebsiteYouth Island NY
A sister organization of TCC New York focused on youth development, mentorship, and community engagement, empowering the next generation across Long Island and the New York area.
Youth programs and community initiatives aligned with TCC's mission.
Visit WebsiteInterested in partnering with the Turkish Cultural Center?
Get in TouchBecome Part of the Community
Whether you attend an event, enroll in a course, volunteer, or donate — every connection matters.