Meet Nalat Black | Sustainable Development Goals Director, United Nations Association of Atlanta

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nalat Black and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nalat, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Respect. If a relationship (that’s any relationship whether it be with yourself, between individuals, between organizations, between countries) is built on the foundation that is respectful of one’s human rights and dignity, then that will forge a way for the relationship to thrive. Practicing respect is a journey, involving breaking down prejudices and unhealthy habits that may have been handed down for generations. As ideal as it sounds to be able to practice respect in every waking moment, there will be challenges. What one views as respectful may not be viewed the same way by some. But I know that if I were to approach problems by thinking and speaking based on respect, then there’s a chance that the solution would be a welcomed and effective one. If I were to make decisions based on respect, even something as simple as whether or not I leave my dog’s poop on my neighbor’s lawn in the late evening because I forgot bags and I’m just so tired and don’t want to double back, my conscience can be at ease knowing that the decision I made was the right one.

I imagine that if more people would think and act out of respect on a daily basis, the world would be a safer and kinder place to live in.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Environmental sustainability and equity is my field of study, passion, and work. I am grateful to my professors and peers for imparting their knowledge and setting a foundation for me to build upon. I acquired business aptitude, project management skills, and conflict resolutions skills in my various jobs as a box office attendant for my school’s performing arts center, entry-level project manager at a marketing firm, part-time administrative assistant at a New York City real estate law firm, office administrator at a Philadelphia non-profit for nuclear non-proliferation, and a research assistant in an experimental forest in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. I didn’t quite understand how I could apply the skills I’ve learned from my various and seemingly very different jobs to be a force for change to cultivate a sustainable world. While figuring this out, I was introduced to United Nations Association of Atlanta, and saw the welcomed opportunity to use my skills and create community impact.

I was lucky to have the opportunity to foster a global perspective through my travels and working with colleagues from all over the globe. My sense of empathy was profoundly developed during my travels, witnessing and hearing from my peers about the injustices and challenges that they faced. After learning about the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, working with some experienced change agents who fought for women’s rights, removal of land mines, and environmental justice since the days before smartphones, I realized the importance of local activism. Change needs to happen on the home level if I wanted a chance for the world to change. If I can succeed at that, then the path to scaling up the impact would be available.

Six years ago, I was the President of United Nations Association of Atlanta. I was focused on building a team and defining our purpose and presence in the Atlanta area. After my term ended, I took on the role of the Sustainable Development Goals Director. My purpose was to bring awareness about the global goals that serve as a blueprint to end extreme poverty, end hunger, reduce inequalities, improve health and education, while tackling climate change. By working with some brilliant ladies who share the same passion in sustainability and equity, UNA-Atlanta partnered or supported many local and national organizations in advancing the global goals on a local level. Recently, we’ve started to collaborate with primary and secondary (K-12) educators and students, bringing the global goals into public school classrooms. Today’s youths are looking for ways to be actively involved in building a peaceful, just, equitable, and sustainable world. As the SDG Director, I hope to give these youths the opportunity to become change agents through education of the global goals, mentorship of their ideas, and for them to see the impact of their work thrive well into their adulthood.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ever since high school, my close friends and I like to go to museums as a way to take a break from our stresses or try to make sense of our stresses. The National Center for Civil and Human Rights would be on top of the list. This is the only place that I know of where we can get a comprehensive view of the U.S. civil rights movement. After walking through the museum, my friend and I will end up discussing how the movement never ended, why the news is filled with so much chaos, why human rights challenges exist and will continue to exist if positive change doesn’t happen. Such an intense discussion will need to be done over some calming tea, so we’ll head over to Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party for their delicate teas and mouthwatering desserts. I chose this tea house because of their mission to improve women’s education in Darjeeling, India, something I know that my friends would appreciate.

After our bellies are full, we’ll be on the Atlanta Beltline because we love to walk and talk, it’s a way for us to get our exercise and catch up with each others’ lives. Ponce City Market will be one of our stops. It’s a great place to experience a little bit of history by walking through the building and experience its new life as a mixed-use development. We’ll be playing mini-golf and drinking some more coffee and tea.

My close friends and I love live music. As the evening comes, we’ll have to make some tough decisions of where to find live music. Perhaps we’ll go to the Atlanta Symphony Hall for a classical feel, The Tabernacle (especially if the Trey Anastasio Band is playing), or Eddie’s Attic for some acoustic performance from local artists. After the musical event, we’ll be walking around Downtown Decatur, snacking on some delicious ice-cream while listening to local musicians play on the sidewalks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The dedicated and passionate volunteers of United Nations Association of Atlanta (UNA-Atlanta) and my colleagues within the United Nations Association of USA network guided and motivated me over the last decade in my work to cultivate sustainable thinking and actions. In particular, Selen Beduk, VP of Programs at UNA-Atlanta and Co-lead for K-12 Action Group at the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development of Greater Atlanta (RCE Greater Atlanta), has been a wonderful mentor with her wisdom in education on sustainability, negotiating for fair partnerships, planning impactful projects, and thinking with a long-term impact.

My key source of motivation comes from my children and my desire to have them thrive in the world that is healthy and fair. Alongside me on my journey towards sustainability is my husband, my confidant for all the ups and downs in working towards a sustainable and equitable future.

Website: https://www.una-atl.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nalatphanit/

Other: https://nalatphanit.wordpress.com