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WASHINGTON — The outgoing U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says she watched America’s leadership diminish in the world during Donald Trump’s first presidency and China fill the vacuum. Linda Thomas-Greenfield is warning that if it happens again during Trump’s second term, adversaries will move in anew.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Associated Press, Thomas-Greenfield said during Joe Biden’s presidency, the United States again engaged with the world, rebuilt alliances, and reestablished America’s leadership.

“That is the gift that we hand over to the next administration,” she said, “and I hope that they will accept that gift in the spirit in which it is being given to them.”

Advice to Trump’s choice for UN ambassador

In a brief meeting with Trump’s nominee, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, Thomas-Greenfield told her “that the U.N. is important, and that it is important that we not cede any space to our adversaries.”

Those rivals “will change the rules of the road,” she warned. “And so, U.S. leadership is extraordinarily important.”

In his first term, Trump called the United Nations “just a club for people to get together, talk, and have a good time.” He suspended funding to its health and family planning agencies and withdrew from its cultural and education organization UNESCO and top human rights body. That’s raised uncertainty about what’s ahead, especially because the United States is the U.N.’s biggest single donor.

Stefanik has called for a “complete reassessment” of U.S. funding for the 193-nation world body, described the U.N. as a “den of antisemitism” and urged a continued halt to support for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA.

Of course, the U.N. isn’t perfect and needs reforms, Thomas-Greenfield said.

But to those who criticize the U.N. as a big bureaucracy where little gets done or decisions are ignored, she said she always quotes the late former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Madeleine Albright, who said “if it didn’t exist, we would invent it.”

Thomas-Greenfield stressed the U.N.’s importance in dealing with major global issues, from war to humanitarian aid, and the need to regulate artificial intelligence.

The U.S. must stay at the table, she said, “so that we can have influence and work with the entire system to ensure that the system delivers to the world.”

The most important table is the horseshoe-shaped one for the 15 members of the U.N. Security Council, the most powerful U.N. body, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security.

Thomas-Greenfield said she gave Stefanik the same advice she got — to meet quickly with all of them — including permanent members Russia and China, rivals with veto power.
“She’s going to be sitting around the table with them on almost a daily basis,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “So, it’s important to know the individuals you are going to have to engage with, whether they are friends or foes.”

The failure to solve global crises

In her final emotional speech to the Security Council, Thomas-Greenfield focused on Sudan, saying she wished there was closure on one crisis the world faces — ticking off Gaza, Ukraine, Congo, and other hotspots.

She told AP the U.N. and the world “have to be more proactive in our engagement” to try to end these conflicts.

Sudan, where nearly two years of fighting has created famine and the world’s worst displacement crisis, is an example “of where as an international community, we could have done more sooner and ended the suffering sooner.”

Her focus on Africa

Thomas-Greenfield, now 72, started her career as an academic and lived in Liberia, where she first saw U.S. diplomats at work and decided to join the Foreign Service in 1982.

She spent much of her more than 40-year career in Africa, returning to Liberia as ambassador, and rose to be assistant secretary of state for African affairs from 2013 to 2017, when Trump took office.

Biden brought her out of retirement to become U.N. ambassador and a member of his cabinet.

At the U.N., she said she’s gained a much broader perspective on Africa’s important place in the world and urged recognition of its immense resources — its people.

“Africa is an extraordinarily young continent,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “These young people will be the future of the world.”

Using ‘gumbo diplomacy’

At the U.N., Thomas-Greenfield harkened back to her Louisiana roots, saying she was going to engage in “gumbo diplomacy” by cooking the state’s famous dish — which mixes up lots of different flavors — for fellow diplomats.

Diplomacy is about bringing together people with different ideas, backgrounds, interests, and guidance “and coming up with a solution that we all can live with,” she said.

“That’s what I think diplomacy is about. That’s what gumbo is about. So gumbo diplomacy has been very successful,” Thomas-Greenfield said, pointing to over 200 U.N. resolutions adopted during her four years as ambassador, 77 of them drafted by the U.S.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said “she has connected with people of all backgrounds and beliefs — using her signature ‘gumbo diplomacy,’ always speaking from the head, but also from the heart.”

Now, Thomas-Greenfield said she plans to spend time with her grandchildren and work with college students to encourage “the next generation of multilateralists who will be filling the halls of the United Nations.”

As a Black woman, she said her advice to young Black men and women is “dream big,” and if things don’t go your way, look for another tack and “open doors that you hadn’t intended to go through.”

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With the arrival of the new year comes a fresh lineup of soon-to-be-published books that will inspire and educate Black K-12 students nationwide. These titles offer diverse narratives that celebrate culture, history, and personal growth, empowering students to see themselves reflected and represented in literature.

Here are nine upcoming books for Black students at every K-12 level to look for in 2025:

For Elementary School Students:

“Little Troublemaker Defends Her Name” by Luvvie Ajayi Jones: In this picture book, Little Luvvie embarks on her first day at a new school, confronting challenges and teasing about her unique name. Through her journey, she learns the importance of self-love, confidence, and embracing her individuality. (Release date: May 6, 2025.)

“Imani’s New Dog” by Cicely Lewis: Imani, a vibrant and curious young girl, finds her life transformed when her family adopts a playful puppy. Through adventures with her new pet, she discovers important lessons about responsibility, teamwork, and compassion. (Release date: January 1, 2025.)

“On Our Way! What a Day!” by JaNay Brown-Wood: This picture book follows a group of children as they embark on a fun-filled day of exploration and adventure, highlighting the joy of discovery and the beauty of the natural world. (Release date: January 7, 2025.)

For Middle School Students:

“Bo and the Talent Show Trouble” by Elliott Smith: Bo is a middle schooler preparing for his school’s talent show, but he soon finds himself facing stage fright, self-doubt, and unexpected mishaps. The story takes readers through his struggles, triumphs, and the support he receives from friends and family. It also explores the journey of finding confidence and embracing challenges. (Release date: January 1, 2025.)

“Letters to Misty: How to Move Through Life with Confidence and Grace” by Misty Copeland: Drawing from personal experiences and letters from fans, Misty Copeland offers guidance on body confidence, balancing commitments, and stepping out of comfort zones. Co-written with children’s author Nikki Shannon Smith, this book, appropriate for ages 8-12, provides insights into overcoming challenges and embracing one’s identity. (Release date: May 6, 2025.)

“Stories of the Spirit of Justice” by Jemar Tisby: This collection presents true, impactful stories of historical figures — from the well-known to the often overlooked — who resisted racism and created a legacy of hope and perseverance. Each short biography is paired with an illustration to inspire young readers to continue working toward justice. (Release date: January 7, 2025.)

For High School Students:

“Soul School” by Amber O’Neal Johnston: This collection chronicles the rich cultural heritage of Black music, from its African roots to its influence on genres like jazz, hip-hop, and R&B. The book features historical context, personal insight, and creative prompts, an engaging way for high schoolers to connect with their cultural heritage while fostering an appreciation for music’s role in shaping identity and history. (Release date: January 28, 2025.)

“Bones at the Crossroads” by LaDarrion Williams: In this sequel to “Blood at the Root,” Malik is now a freshman at a historically Black university for magic students. As he navigates academic and social life, he unearths deeper secrets about his family and the mystical legacy he’s inherited. The novel blends magical fantasy with coming-of-age themes, tackling issues of identity and belonging. (Release date: July 29, 2025.)

“Radiant” by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson: As school begins in 1963, Cooper Dale wrestles with what it means to “shine” for a black girl in a predominantly white community near Pittsburgh. Set against the historical backdrop of the Birmingham church bombing, the Kennedy assassination, and Beatlemania, this book encourages students to pursue their dreams and understand the impact of Black leaders. (Release date: January 7, 2025.)

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* This article was originally published here