Global Leadership
U.S. Congress
Putting on her ‘cultural diplomacy hat,’ Mary’s artistic career has a very intimate perspective and inside relationship with American politics and Washington, D.C., blessed with bipartisan support from the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives leadership.
Mary sat down with her friend and former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, The Honorable Kevin McCarthy to discuss policy important to the advancement of America, ways to generate more support for the arts legislatively, and explore more ways to partner her global platform with Congress to promote American ideals.
“I always enjoy being on Capitol Hill to visit with my friends. A wonderful exchange of our values. The Speaker has such a strong moral compass, and I am grateful for his leadership during these challenging times. I appreciate Speaker McCarthy always being available to meet with me.”
“I am grateful to my friend of many years The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and for her support of my career. In addition, always an honor to share the stage with Minority Leader of the U.S. Senate, the Honorable Mitch McConnell. I am thankful for the many of years of friendship with Leader McConnell and his wife, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao.”
India
Official U.S. State Arrival Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Mary was honored to make appearances in New York and Washington, D.C. for the Official State Arrival Visit of His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India to the United States June 21-23, 2023. Formally invited by Her Excellency Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Mary first joined Prime Minister Modi and invited guests for the historic 9th International Day of Yoga at the UN Headquarters on June 21st. Mary also shared the morning with United Nations General Assembly President Csaba Korosi, United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed, Actor Richard Gere, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Next, on June 23rd, Mary was the featured entertainment for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and distinguished guests for the concluding event of the Official State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Formally invited by the Steering Committee for the Prime Minister’s Official State Visit, Mary performed the Indian National Anthem (in Hindi) to an invitation-only, Diaspora event hosted by United States Indian Community Foundation (USICF) at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.
“Having performed the American National Anthem and patriotic music for four consecutive U.S. Presidents, I am deeply honored to perform the Indian National Anthem for Prime Minister Modi and in honor of a country and people I have come to call my family. Both the American and Indian Anthems speak to the ideals of democracy and freedom, and this is the true essence of the U.S.-India relationship. The Anthem of any country is the heartbeat of the people. This is what I love most about the Indian Anthem – as it speaks to the spirit of the people, the vastness of India’s rich landscape and culture, and honors the strength and courage of those who have fought and continue to fight for freedom.”
“One earth, one family, one future – the motto of the G20 Summit and the sentiment of the important democratic alliance between the United States and India. Our common bond in freedom and democracy positions the U.S.-India relationship to be the strongest force on earth for democracy, best model for unity as a family, and the symbol of freedom for future generations to come. ”
Formally invited by the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Mary was an official guest representing the United States at the official 75th Independence Day celebration on August 15th, 2022 and participated in the cultural energy of India’s Independence Day. Mary made history as the first American and African American artist invited by the Government of India in her first trip to India for the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence.
As an invited guest of the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Mary and Priya were seated with other international diplomats and guests of the Government of India for the Independence Day event at the historic Red Fort.
Mary, ICCR President Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe meeting on U.S-India relations with President Sahasrabuddhe at ICCR Headquarters.
Invited by Indiaspora Founder MR Rangaswami, Mary opened the Forum performing the Indian National Anthem and then jointly performed with international piano prodigy Lydian Nadhaswaram on the evening of August 10th.
Mary pictured with Mrs. Priya Samant, Co-Founder/CEO of NFT global company Abris.io and strategic advisor on U.S.-India relations, at the Red Fort on India’s Independence Day Monday, August 15th, 2022.
Mary with The Honorable High Commissioner Cameron MacKay, Priya Samant, and Canada-India Business Council CEO Victor Thomas.
Mary with Indiaspora Founder M.R. Rangaswami
Mary with Mr. Gurpreet Singh, Senior Vice-President, Citibank India.
Mary was honored to meet and visit with India’s Allied forces, freedom fighters, and police officers while in India. As Mary honors America’s troops and law enforcement, Mary equally salutes those who put on the uniform and the badge to protect India’s borders and communities.
Mary was honored to mA highlight of Mary’s pilgrimage to India was finally meeting her Hindi coach Dr. Moxraj, former Cultural Diplomat and Teacher at the Embassy of India in Washington D.C. and experiencing a private tour of the historic holy temple, the Swaminarayan Akshardham.
Mary was honored to meet and dine with India’s living legends in the country’s vast and diverse artistic industry (Indian Classical Music and Indian Classical Dance).
China
Upon the invitation of His Excellency Ambassador Xie Feng, Chinese Ambassador to the United States, and Madam Wang Dan, Mary was honored to perform at the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the United States and China on Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington, D.C.
To a room of over 700 invited guests including White House Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Dr. Rahul Gupta representatives from the Biden Administration and U.S. State Department, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations President Stephen Orlins, U.S.- China Business Council President Craig Allen, foreign ambassadors and dignitaries, and more, Mary performed the American National Anthem commemorating the U.S.-China relationship and celebrating the Chinese New Year, the year of the Dragon. Mary was honored to share the stage with other notable American and Chinese talent.
Beloved across Asia and within the Asian American community, Mary made history in 2019 performing the American National Anthem and the Chinese National Anthem (in Chinese) for the 40th Anniversary of U.S.-China Student Exchanges at The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Washington, D.C. - becoming the first American and African American artist to perform the American National Anthem and the Chinese National Anthem on American and Chinese soil.
A former foreign exchange student in China, Mary is formally recognized as a United States State Department cultural envoy and regarded as a cultural ambassador across the world for her effective leadership in cultural diplomacy, interfaith dialogue, and advocacy for global inclusion. As a cultural ambassador across the globe, Mary has become a respected figure in cultural diplomacy through entertainment, American politics, and cultural impact.
“President Xi says often, ‘amity between people holds the key to sound relations between states.’ I concur with President Xi. Cultural diplomacy is a proven strategy for strengthening bilateral ties between nations. As a global artist and cultural ambassador in U.S. China relations, I have witnessed firsthand the power cultural diplomacy plays in diplomatic contention. The exchange of culture paves the way for greater understanding and cooperation when approaching the complexities and challenges of two different countries.”
China
Cultural diplomacy is a pillar of Mary’s platform and brand. Following performances, on Thursday, September 23rd, 2021, Mary spent time in Washington, D.C. visiting with key leaders regarding the most pressing domestic and international issues.
Mary sat down with former Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Chinese Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Ambassador Qin Gang to discuss U.S.-China relations and culture diplomacy playing a larger role in the strengthening of relationship between two countries. During his tenure, Minister Qin Gang was China’s second-highest diplomat.
Meeting with the artwork of The Great Wall of China was a fitting backdrop, as Mary recalled her meaningful experience studying in China as an exchange student years ago and climbing The Great Wall of China.
“Minister Qin Gang is a kindred spirit. Great discussion on strengthening US-China ties through the vehicle of culture, student exchanges, and core shared values. I look forward to working with Minister Qin Gang towards restoring good health in the US-China relationship.”
China
Following her performance at the Kennedy Center, Mary shared a wonderful afternoon visiting with her friend His Excellency Ambassador Cui Tiankai, now former Chinese Ambassador to the United States and the longest serving Chinese Ambassador to the United States in history.
Mary and Ambassador Cui shared a meaningful discussion on the U.S.-China relationship.
“Ambassador Cui and I shared a moment singing a song we both love – ‘Edelweiss’ from the Broadway musical Sound of Music. His Excellency has a beautiful voice. ”
China
Mary is grateful to call China and the Chinese people her family. In 2019, Mary performed the American National Anthem and the Chinese National Anthem (in Chinese) for the 40th Anniversary of U.S.-China Student Exchanges at The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Washington, D.C. Hosted by The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in coordination with The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Mary thanked His Excellency Cui Tiankai, former Chinese Ambassador to the United States, and The Embassy of China for the kind invitation in a private meet and greet before her performance later in the evening.
Mary made history becoming the first American and African American artist to perform the American National Anthem and the Chinese National Anthem (in Chinese) at The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. Mary and His Excellency Cui Tiankai shared their love for Broadway composer Andrew Lloyd Weber and Broadway music in a private meet and greet before her performance.
Mary was honored to perform the American National Anthem first honoring her love of country and celebrating the important relationship of the United States and China through music. Mary next performed the Chinese National Anthem (in Chinese) celebrating her love for China and the patriotism of the Chinese people.
Mary shares a special relationship with China and the Chinese people. During the month of June 2021, Mary was featured in a global news feature in China Xinhua News and also run in China Daily – the two leading print media outlets in China and in the United States.
Now viewed by millions in China, the US, and across the world, Mary shares her life-changing experience as a student in China and now intimate relationship with the Asian American community and Chinese people.
"The greatest way to develop friendship is to get to know each other. Culture and music remind us of our commonalities," Mary said adding "it reminds us that we are one family."
Here’s an excerpt from the feature story:
On that day, prominent American/Hollywood actress and singer became the first artist to sing both the U.S. national anthem along with the Chinese national anthem marking the 40th Anniversary of US-China Student Exchanges at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States.
"I was the first African American to sing both anthems and certainly the Chinese Anthem in Chinese," Millben told Xinhua recently, recalling the beautiful moments she had at the event hosted by the Chinese Embassy in coordination with the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
"It brought me back to my participation and life as an exchange student in China," said Millben, who visited and studied in China as a part of the University of Oklahoma Journey (OU) to China 2006 summer program.
The six-week program was Millben's first visit abroad, and it took the midwestern girl, who had no idea about how large the Chinese community was in Oklahoma, to China's four universities in four major cities -- Xi'an International Studies University, Yunnan University (Kunming), Peking University (Beijing), and Fudan University (Shanghai).
"It was a life-changing experience," she said.
Few people know, that Mary has had a “life-changing” experience in China. For her first, national interview with China Daily, Mary sat down to discuss her close relationship with China and her journey in entertainment.
On Thursday, November 21, 2019, Mary performed the American National Anthem and the Chinese National Anthem (in Chinese) for the 40th Anniversary of U.S.-China Student Exchanges at the Embassy of China in Washington, D.C. Hosted by The Embassy of the People's Republic of China & The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Mary was invited by His Excellency Ambassador Cui Tiankai, former Chinese Ambassador to the United States.
Four decades ago, student exchanges opened a new chapter for the U.S.-China relationship, and its relationship has deepened through student exchange and cultural understanding. Mary values student exchanges having personally studied in China - Xi'an University, Yunnan University (Kunming), Peking University (Beijing), and Fudan University (Shanghai) - as a part of the University of Oklahoma (OU) Journey to China 2006 summer program.
“China has a special place in my heart. I have such fond memories studying in China as an exchange student and shared in a recent interview with China Daily. It was a life-changing experience and a key contributor to why I advocate for students to study abroad. Student exchanges and investing in such programs will birth generations who value global citizenry. As an American artist, I value the unique and significant role I can play in strengthening international relationships. I understand the important relationship shared between the U.S and China - through my experiences in American politics and having lived briefly in China. I will continue using my global platform to help strengthen U.S.-China ties through cultural diplomacy..”
Over the past decades, almost 330,000 American students or scholars have studied or researched in China. Last year, around 360,000 Chinese students studied in the U.S. contributing approximately $14 billion to the U.S. economy. Both countries have benefited – and continue to benefit – from student exchanges, which should be celebrated, and promoted as the U.S. and China strengthen ties.
Africa
Mary served as a Global Ambassador for Education Africa – a non-profit organization bringing educational opportunity and arts education to South Africa’s poorest communities. Influenced by the late President Nelson Mandela and the late Walter Sisulu, Education Africa was founded by CEO James Urdang now with global supportive structures from the United States, United Kingdom, Austria, Germany. Based in South Africa, Education Africa has over 30 years of making real change happen by providing poverty alleviation through Education.
Established in 1992, Education Africa strives to reach and uplift the poorest of the poor. We aim to assist disadvantaged South African children and youth in their quest to obtain a quality, relevant education in order to ensure that they are in a position to become global citizens and a competitive, productive element in the local job market. Learn more about the impactful work of Education Africa. https://educationafrica.org.
