“I believe culture is the gateway into our humanity, as it emphasizes the unity in our diversity.”
—SATTIE PERSAUD,
Founder, World Heritage Cultural Center
“I believe culture is the gateway into our humanity, as it emphasizes the unity in our diversity.”
—SATTIE PERSAUD,
Founder, World Heritage Cultural Center
OUR MISSION
Our brand empowers and shares diverse, colorful, and unique cultures from around the world creating a global village to foster tolerance, appreciation and unity. We understand cultural identity bolsters diversity, and thus believe acceptance and tolerance is promoted by our creation of a common ground where the creative arts is a powerful tool used to tell great stories of traditions. At the WHCC we describe culture as presenting the inheritable pattern of human knowledge on a common ground through ancient and modern dance, music, stories, cuisine, fashion, language, festivals, art, and architecture.
OUR MISSION
Our brand empowers and shares diverse, colorful, and unique cultures from around the world creating a global village to foster tolerance, appreciation and unity. We understand cultural identity bolsters diversity, and thus believe acceptance and tolerance is promoted by our creation of a common ground where the creative arts is a powerful tool used to tell great stories of traditions. At the WHCC we describe culture as presenting the inheritable pattern of human knowledge on a common ground through ancient and modern dance, music, stories, cuisine, fashion, language, festivals, art, and architecture.
Our studies at World Heritage Cultural Center teaches about world Culture and Heritage, to understand it, to respect, to love it, and we promote the Arts as agents of social change in the world.
Our Teachers are luminaries devoted to their diverse expertise which lends breadth and depth to our program offerings, providing unique opportunities for students, mentorship, and support.
WHCC is a place where the past is preserved and commemorated in the present, to lay the foundation for an inclusive future to be built upon. At WHCC we describe culture as a coalesced and inheritable pattern of human knowledge, belief and behavior: from outlook, attitudes, biases, goals, values, morals, and customer, to history, pastimes, myths, stories, cuisine, fashion, language, festivals, art, and architecture.
WHCC proudly works with over 800 plus Cultural Groups across the United States --- a true definition of our conviction for paving common ground where any culture in the world can assemble, and acceptance and ceremonialize their way of life through the arts!
In addition to holding events throughout the calendar year, we also travel with the Travel & Adventure shows across 12 to 15 states.
We embark on this adventure with countless enthusiasts who are eager to discover how heterogeneous our world truly is.
WHCC holds space for communities to convene and create. We offer diverse studio sessions, conversational salons and course curricula to empower and educate those who avail our primary services. To best cater the needs of the community, we provide after school and summer sessions for youth and adult programs that span all ages, including pertinent lesson modules for senior citizens and those with special needs. We offer classes and workshops --- onsite, offsite and virtually --- for performing, visual, culinary Arts and more.
WHCC also connects and shares opportunities to receive scholarships, internships, mentoring, skill development, and network expansions for our tribe.
WHCC, acts as a facilitator, enabler, collaborator and umbrella entity to amplify efforts towards working to raise awareness about different cultures – mainstream and marginalized. WHCC also partners with other organizations to scale impact instead of reinventing the wheel. We are continuously establishing alliances that helps us to give back more to our global community. We graciously welcome new partnerships.
The WHCC’s Cultural Exchange Program is a way to step back in time and discover pieces of the puzzle of human history. Each year five students from different countries, together, will get the opportunity to visit another country, other than their own, to learn about a new culture first-hand. The findings will be recorded, vetted and published for others to learn from and appreciate. This program is led by our Global Citizen Committee Chair, Alyssa Raghu.
WHAT WE DO
The United States is a nation of blended cultures. Throughout the centuries, alongside the Natives, immigrants and their American-born children have been a part of this colorful patchwork we call the United States of America, where creative expression not only differs state to state but even within the communities comprising a single city like New York.
To understand where you come from and where others come from will help to foster a greater understanding and respect for different cultural values and customs. Arts integration is a powerful force that will allow people to experience things directly and develop a strong self-identity that connects them to their cultural roots.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Our executive leadership team ensures the steering of the organization towards the vision of building a cultural establishment for people from all walks of life.
THE FOUNDER
Sattie Persaud came to the United States from Suriname with the hopes of gaining a college education. As it turned out, she had much to teach us herself.
Sattie broke the cycle of seven generations of women married at or before the age of thirteen. She went on to become the first in her family to make it past the third grade, and attend college, completing a B.A. in accounting from Pace University and Screenwriting from the New York Film Academy. She has written two screenplays and is presently working on her first novel, while managing a day job as treasury manager for Otis Elevator Worldwide Corporation and running WHCC. She has an impressive resume that spans multinational corporations such as IBM, UBS, Lehman Brothers and United Technologies. Embracing her roots, though, led her to found the World Heritage Cultural Center.
“The Universe gave me a chance to find my voice, to fulfill my dream of getting an education, something no one can ever take away from me,” she began. “Witnessing your most intimate dream come true is the most beautiful thing. I wanted to, I needed to give back to the Universe, so I thought about what I value at my core. It’s family. Naturally the organization that I put my heart into is a common ground where every culture is welcome to share what matters most, our Diversity, through the Arts. Politics and Religion are left out. The hope with presenting international culture on our global platform is that respect will follow when people learn about different cultural customs and values. In the last century, we have truly become a global world. Humans migrate and immigrate to lands far from where they were raised. Frequently, those born outside their native land feel lost in a sea of different cultures and backgrounds. Having a personal cultural identity, as well as understanding of other cultures is important.”
It may be difficult to understand how someone growing up in a small, low-technology nation could feel so connected to all of humanity, but Sattie explained that Suriname is culturally diverse itself. "Suriname is a very small country, where you will find people from every single continent and it's a harmonious environment that celebrates and respects each other cultures' and at the same time embracing their own heritage and cultural identity. Customs and values that are held on to from generations to generations away from their mother land."
SATTIE PERSAUD
Founder of World Heritage Cultural Center. Senior Foreign Exchange Manager. Global Goodwill Ambassador (GGAF).
Email: sattie@mywhcc.org
“My parents taught us that love extends beyond the walls of our home,” she said. “We’re all one Family, one Human Race. Our Diversity is our strength and a gateway to our Humanity.”
BOARD MEMBERS
The WHCC board of directors are multidisciplinary, inclusive individuals who are committed to steering the organization decidedly toward realizing its comprehensive vision to build a cultural establishment for people from all walks of life.
BARTOSZ BOREK, MBA
Senior Consultant - Finance & Treasury Services. Data Analytics.
GITA DAKA
Entrepreneur & Interior Designer.
DR. NAZIA M. HABIB
Cambridge University Academic. Social Entrepreneur.
AYESHA KHANNA
International Dance Choreographer. Founder of NAURAH USA (Fashion).
ANINDITA ANU NANDA
Scientist. Internationally Acclaimed Master Artist (Odissi), Founder of Soortaal Academy.
RITESH PARIKH
Founder: AWESOME TV, AWSM RADIO, Top Model & Aary Films.
WILLIAM PICCIRILLO
Chairman. Owner of The Piccirillo Group Global Goodwill Ambassador (GGAF).
FABIENNE RICCOBONI
Cinematographer & Photographer.
CHRISTINE SCOTT
Founder of Clever Crow Consulting & Design. Co-Publisher at Nosetouch Press.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
JOHN GOLICZ
CEO at Unicomm and Founder of The Travel & Adventure Shows.
CINDIA LUEST
Founder and CEO at Spice Journeys GmbH. Author of The Spice Temple: The Hidden Garden Series.
DAVID MATHISON
CEO, CDO Club/Summit Board Director, Pace University, Lubin School of Business Transformative Leadership.
COMMITTEES
Cultural Sustainability: The Creative Arts & Technology (AI)
The WHCC and Women-In-Tech aim to showcase howtechnology can help sustain the Creative Arts.
On a platform planned for launch in 2021, this project, where culture is its own entity, will catalogue aspects of ancient and modern civilization, including archaeology, architecture, textile, artisan, historical facts, art, fashion, cuisine, scriptures, and trends. Both the WHCC and Women-In-Tech have a strong global presence, and seek to bridge the gap between cultural preservation and technology and innovation.
The goal is not only to create a credible online resource, but to ensure that this resource is also accessible to contributors, students and leaders from around the globe. Part of the mission for this collaboration is to provide technology as well to underprivileged communities.
A LEADING GLOBAL ORGANIZATION ACHIEVING GENDER
EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT IN STEM FIELDS.
Global Citizen Youth Committee
The Global Citizen Committee promotes cultural osmosis and integration. Chaired by Alyssa Raghu, a Guyanese/Indian and Mexican heritage singer-songwriter. Her talents became evident to the world stage on American Idol. With her guidance, this committee emboldens more youth to discover their holistic place in the global village.
ALYSSA RAGHU
Singer. Actor.
2019 Top 8 American Idol Contestant.
Evan & Friends: Painting the World Brighter One Charity At a Time
Youth empowerment and development has always been at the core of WHCC’s outreach. A young student of WHCC, was embraced when he suggested spearheading a transformative campaign, Evan & Friends – painting the world brighter one charity at a time. In his own words, “I would like to sell my artwork to help kids that need food, shelter, parents (meant adoption) and other resources.” Each year, an annual gala is held where paintings by Evan & Friends are auctioned and proceeds are sued to support charities around the globe.
Evan Supplements how we are able to extend support to the charities we work with, by offering his creative abilities to the mix.
GLOBAL AMBASSADOR
WHCC Global Ambassadors are a passionate group of people who aligns with WHCC’s mission and acts as a representative for their cultures.
PRIYANKA BOSE
Global Ambassador of India. Indian Actress and Model, Best Known for Her Role in “LION.”
TERRY GAJRAJ
Global Ambassador of Guyana. Guyanese American Chutney and Chutney-Soca Artist.
KERTTU KARON
Global Ambassador of Estonia. American Actress. Producer. Model.
SUMILA MEHTA
Global Brand Advisor. Creative Head. Entrepreneur. Graphic Designer. UX designer.
JESSY MOYA
Global Ambassador of Ecuador. Patron of the Arts.
GOUTA MUMCY MPELEGE
Global Ambassador of Botswana. Founder of Rhythms of Kalahari.
“Coming from a war-torn country, Lebanon, I not only learned to overcome fears and to demonstrate determination and resilience, but I have learned the value of embracing people and appreciating diversity. Today I am deeply grateful to be able to leverage my deeply rooted origins to stand for equality for women all over the world.”
—CAROLINE CODSI IAS.A, ICD.D,
Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, UN Women Award, 2X TEDx Speaker, Founder Women in Governance Canada
