International Day of Peace Celebration 2023

Mónica Gómez has made her living as a writer, performing songwriter, voice talent, creative writing teacher, martial arts instructor, television and radio broadcaster. She will be the Emcee for this event.

Bettina Escudero, expert meditation teacher of Paso del Norte Mindfulness Consulting, using soothing music by El Paso Pro-Musica.

Hal Marcus is an artist who has been painting for over 40 years and has been a long-term supporter of the Vegetarian community in El Paso. Hal will be speaking at 6:00pm.

G’beda has a musical background rooted in African, Latin American, Mariachi, and Middle Eastern folk traditions. Her vocal style is a marriage of gospel, funk, soul, and folk. She will be performing at 7:00pm.

Luis “Sito” Negron, representing Commissioner David Stout, worked professionally as a reporter, editor, and writer for more than two decades, covering politics, policy, and culture. For the past decade he has worked as a communications and policy aide for elected officials at the state and local level.

Fernanda is a certified yoga teacher, health scholar specializing in behavioral sciences and environmental health. She will be hosting yoga sessions and speaking on Greening El Paso.

Melissa Vera Rosado is pursuing a BFA in dance as well as studying theater tech and production at UTEP. Mitzy Lira is a current undergraduate student studying dance and studio art with a concentration in graphic design. They will both be performing a dance piece called Meliorism.

Advocate for veterans, families, active duty and widows throughout El Paso, Texas, CW2(Ret) David Garcia will speak about El Paso County as the Veteran Capital of the USA 

Stephanie worked as an Art Teacher at La Fe Preparatory School and studied Pre-Nursing before pursuing a BFA with two concentrations in Graphic Design and Sculpture at UTEP. She will be exhibiting sculptures and paintings, which are a reflection of her identity as a Latin/Indigenous woman.

Grupo Folklorico Valle del Sol Mexican ballet folklorico dancing. For the first time the brand new children’s company will perform. They will be performing at 5:00pm.

The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Social Dancers are a tribal dance group which aim to educate audiences about Tigua heritage and culture.

The mission of SBFC, “is to seek to use soccer as a tool for social change by developing programs that foster the physical, mental, and emotional growth and development of boys and girls in El Paso's Segundo Barrio neighborhood and beyond”

Gbenga Asedeko is a motivational speaker, author, trainer, life coach and entrepreneur who's dedicated to propelling people toward greatness. Gbenga will be focusing on “Peace Within”, delivering a talk meant to inspire action and support a purpose-driven life.

Neema Soratgar was an instructor in higher education for 20 years in Afghanistan.  Narrowly escaping with her life, she brought her two children to El Paso to be a visiting Research Scholar in Women’s Studies.

Grandma Bea, Beatriz Villegas (Ilhuicatlahuili-Bea), is an elder from Ciudad Juárez, México. She will be doing the opening ceremony at 10:00am.