Happy World Foundation Inc.

02/04/2026

We are excited to collaborate with the UN 🇺🇳 Association of OKC in celebrating Oklahoma Women of impact! 🇺🇸

The United Nations Association of Oklahoma City and Happy World Foundation Inc. are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2026 Women of Impact Awards, held in celebration of International Women’s Day.

At a time when women around the world — from the brave women of Iran and Afghanistan to the courageous survivors who have come forward in the Epstein cases — continue to face profound challenges, we are reminded of the importance of uplifting and honoring the women in our own communities who stand for dignity, opportunity, and empowerment.

We invite Oklahomans to recognize the women whose leadership inspires positive change and strengthens the lives of others.

➡️ Nominate an inspiring woman here:

08/23/2025

Incredibly proud moment! The 2025 Global Citizen Awards Gala, a labor of love by the Happy World Foundation Inc., United Nations Association of Oklahoma City, and Oklahoma City Community College, has been featured by the 🇺🇳 🇺🇸

This recognition underscores a powerful truth: the most impactful global change often starts at the local level. From Oklahoma City to the world stage, our honorees prove that leadership, compassion, and courage know no borders.

Thank you to the UN for highlighting the work of these extraordinary leaders:
🏆 Mohammad & Jalal Farzaneh,
🏆 Kari Watkins, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
🏆 Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.,
🏆 President Mautra Staley Jones
🏆 Phil G. Busey and Cathy Busey, Delaware Resource Group

Their stories of global citizenship are now inspiring a worldwide audience. Read the full feature below!

07/07/2025

🌍✨ Announcing the 2025 Class of Global Citizens! ✨🌍

The United Nations Association of Oklahoma City and Happy World Foundation proudly honor five extraordinary leaders whose vision, service, and global citizenship are transforming lives across Oklahoma—and inspiring hope around the world:

🏹 Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. – Champion of Cherokee sovereignty, culture, and language
🏡 Mohammad & Jalal Farzaneh – Immigrant entrepreneurs & philanthropists redefining impact
🌱 Kari Watkins – Global voice for resilience through remembrance
🎓 Dr. Mautra Staley Jones – Trailblazing higher ed leader, equity advocate, Hall of Famer
🌐 Phil & Cathy Busey – Business leaders investing in youth and global progress

Join us in celebrating these change-makers on Saturday, July 26 at 6PM at the OCCC Visual & Performing Arts Center! 🎭🌟 Featuring keynote remarks by William Davis, Director of the UN Information Centre in Washington, D.C., and multicultural performances that reflect the beauty of our interconnected world. 🌎

🔗 RSVP & details: https://shorturl.bz/stf

06/17/2025

The United Nations Association of the United States of America OKC Chapter and Happy World Foundation Inc. are proud to announce that Dr. Mautra Staley Jones, Ed.D., President of Oklahoma City Community College, has been named a 2025 Global Citizen Award honoree!
As the first woman and first person of color to lead OCCC—and the first African American woman to lead a non-HBCU higher education institution in Oklahoma—Dr. Jones is not just making history. She is transforming the future of higher education.
From championing access and affordability to leading award-winning programs in nursing, cybersecurity, film, and psychology, Dr. Jones’s visionary leadership has positioned OCCC as a national model of excellence and innovation.
🌍 Her influence extends beyond academia—from corporate boards and civic leadership to national science and education policy. And now, as one of five remarkable recipients of the 2025 Global Citizen Award, her transformational impact is being recognized on a global stage.
“Dr. Jones doesn’t just elevate institutions—she inspires nations. Her work exemplifies the heart of global citizenship.” — Akash Patel, Chair, UNA-USA
She will be honored at the 2025 Global Citizen Awards Gala on Saturday, July 26 in Oklahoma City.

06/17/2025

The United Nations Association of the United States of America - OKC Chapter and Happy World Foundation Inc. are thrilled to announce that Phil G. Busey Sr. and Cathy Busey have been named recipients of the 2025 Global Citizen Award.

As founders and visionaries behind Delaware Resource Group and El Sistema Oklahoma, Phil and Cathy embody the power of pairing business leadership with cultural and educational impact.

🌎 Phil Busey has transformed DRG into a global aerospace leader and one of the world’s foremost Native American-owned defense contractors—serving 650+ employees across 45 locations.

🎶 Cathy Busey has empowered thousands of youth through arts and music, co-founding El Sistema Oklahoma to provide daily music instruction to underserved children.

“From aerospace to the arts, from Indigenous advocacy to youth empowerment, their work demonstrates how business success and cultural compassion can soar hand in hand.” — Akash Patel, Chair, UN Association of USA

They will be honored at the 2025 Global Citizen Awards Gala on Saturday, July 26 at Oklahoma City Community College alongside an inspiring group of global changemakers.

06/17/2025

The United Nations Association of the United States of America - OKC chapter and Happy World Foundation Inc. are proud to announce that Kari Watkins, President & CEO of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, has been selected as a 2025 Global Citizen Award honoree!
For nearly three decades, Kari has transformed tragedy into teaching—turning the Oklahoma City National Memorial into a global model for healing, remembrance, and peace-building.
She is being recognized for:
📚 Preserving the legacy of the 168 lives killed on April 19, 1995
🌎 Guiding global conversations on healing after collective trauma
🏃 Growing the OKC Memorial Marathon into an international symbol of unity
🧠 Championing education and civil discourse through digital innovation and STEM
“Kari Watkins transformed a place of unimaginable loss into a space of hope and global learning.” – Akash Patel, Chair, UN Association of USA.
Kari will be honored at the 2025 Global Citizen Awards Gala on Saturday, July 26 at Oklahoma City Community College, alongside a group of remarkable global changemakers.

06/17/2025

The United Nations Association of the United States of America OKC Chapter and Happy World Foundation Inc. are thrilled to announce that Mohammad and Jalal Farzaneh, co-founders of Home Creations have been named 2025 Global Citizen Award honorees!

Their journey—from arriving in Oklahoma after the Iranian Revolution to building one of the state’s largest homebuilding companies—is a testament to resilience, generosity, and global-minded leadership.

The Farzaneh brothers are being honored for:

🏠 Creating tornado-resistant, affordable homes across Oklahoma

🎓 Donating over $10 million to education, healthcare, and cultural programs

🌎 Supporting immigrant communities and diversity in leadership

👨‍👦 Passing on their legacy through ethical, family-led business practices

They will be formally recognized at the 2025 Global Citizen Awards Gala on Saturday, July 26 at Oklahoma City Community College's Visual and Performing Arts Center, alongside a distinguished group of honorees.

“The Farzaneh brothers didn’t just build homes—they built hope, community, and a legacy that transcends borders.” – Akash Patel, Chair, UN Association of USA

06/17/2025

The United Nations Association of the United States of America - OKC Chapter and Happy World Foundation Inc. are proud to announce that Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. has been named a 2025 Global Citizen Award honoree!
As leader of the largest tribal nation in the U.S., Chief Hoskin has made historic investments in Cherokee language preservation, championed tribal sovereignty and equity, and elevated Indigenous voices on the global stage, including at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Under his leadership:
✅ $16 million+ invested annually in language revitalization
✅ Durbin Feeling Language Center & Cherokee Language Villages launched
✅ First Cherokee Nation delegate to U.S. Congress appointed
✅ Cherokee culture and rights amplified internationally
Chief Hoskin will be celebrated at the 2025 Global Citizen Awards Gala on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Oklahoma City Community College's Visual and Performing Arts Center, alongside a distinguished slate of honorees.
He embodies the spirit of global citizenship, turning sovereignty into service for his people—and inspiring Indigenous communities worldwide.
Cherokee Nation l United Nations

06/10/2025

The United Nations Association of Oklahoma City and Happy World Foundation are proud to announce the 2025 Class of Global Citizens—five extraordinary leaders whose unwavering commitment to service, innovation, and global citizenship is transforming lives across Oklahoma and inspiring change around the world:
• Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. – Trailblazing leader of the Cherokee Nation. His historic investments in sovereignty, economic development, housing, and healthcare include bold initiatives in Cherokee language revitalization—advancing the goals of the United Nations Decade of Indigenous Languages and ensuring cultural survival for generations to come.
• Mohammad & Jalal Farzaneh, Home Creations – Visionary immigrant entrepreneurs and philanthropists. From students to homebuilders, their $10M+ in charitable giving—including endowed chairs in ophthalmology and Iranian studies—advances education, healthcare, and research with statewide and global impact.
• Kari Watkins, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum – Since 1996, she has transformed tragedy into global healing, building an institution recognized internationally for its powerful education and message of resilience.
• Dr. Mautra Staley Jones – First woman and first person of color to serve as President of Oklahoma City Community College. A transformational higher education leader, she’s expanding access through flat tuition, launching nearly 60 micro-credentials, and championing educational equity—earning her recognition as a “Most Admired CEO” and Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee.
• Phil & Cathy Busey – Founders of Delaware Resource Group and champions of socially responsible business. Through their global aerospace enterprise, they fund youth-focused initiatives like life-changing music programs, setting a model for integrating corporate success with community impact.

These honorees exemplify what it means to lead with purpose, compassion, and a global vision. Join us in celebrating them on Saturday, July 26 at 6 pm at the OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center, featuring keynote remarks by William Davis, newly appointed Director of the United Nations Information Centre in Washington, D.C. The evening will also include powerful multicultural performances that reflect the rich diversity and interconnectedness of our global community: https://shorturl.bz/stf

06/03/2025

We are excited to announce Mr. William Davis, Director of the United Nations Information Center in Washington DC as the keynote speaker at the United Nations Association of Oklahoma City and Happy World Foundation Inc 2025 Global Citizen Awards Gala on Saturday, July 26 at the Oklahoma City Community College VPAC Center.

Mr. Davis is a seasoned international affairs professional with over 34 years of experience across the UN, U.S. government, and global institutions. He previously held senior roles at OECD , UNDP, and the U.S. Department of State

04/18/2025

The Global Ambassadors Leadership Program is making a comeback!!! Stay tuned for more information and the application!