28th Annual Community Peace Celebration

The 28th Annual Community Peace Celebration has been rescheduled to August 16 at Western Sculpture Park in Saint Paul. This year’s theme is Joyful Insistence! With all that we continue to persevere through it is important that we hold fast to joy and insist on peace and unity in our neighborhoods, city and everywhere around this precious and beautiful world. This free event welcomes everyone and offers live music, delicious food, useful neighborhood resources, and fun activities for all ages.

The celebration continues to be a grassroots, all-volunteer, that is organized and funded by organizations and members of the community for the benefit of people in the community.  This year’s peace partners include the Urban Farm and Garden Alliance, Renewing the Countryside, Minnesota Council of Churches, Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers (MAP), Public Art Saint Paul, Summit-U Planning Council, Capitol Region Watershed District, Mississippi Market, and Lyft.

Host Emcee

Will Powers - A transformational speaker, working within communities and organizations for over twelve years. He began his career in traditional for-profit settings all while giving back to the community that has created the platform for William to excel. William’s focus has always been on family and community. His passion fuels his efforts in volunteerism, youth mentorship, and staying connected to business owners and entrepreneurs throughout Saint Paul.

Keynote Speaker

Jim Embry - Returning to the Twin Cities as a part of his Joy and Justice Journey 2024. Embry will share experiences and insights from his 60+ years of social justice activism. Jim considers himself stardust condensed in human form, born in Richmond, KY a grandson of small-scale farmers who were also social activists. He is a 2023 James Beard Foundation Leadership Award winner.

Celebration House Ensemble

Rondo All Stars - An all star lineup of jazz musicians who convene for events and special occasions like the Community Peace Celebration.  Ensemble includes Howard Biivens, Brad Holden, Pierre Lewis, Ollie Lyle, W. Rayford, Larry Simms and Jim ten Bensel.

Artists and Performers

Tearra Oso - Singer/drummer/dancer/healer/storyteller. For her debut album titled “Prez”, Oso combined traditional Afro Boricua music with R&B/Funk/Pop instrumentation to create self-preservation pieces for activists, in English and Spanish. Since childhood, she has learned and performed traditional Afro Puerto Rican music called Bomba, which gave her an understanding of her Afro Latinx identity and the resilience of her incredible ancestors. As a musician, Oso has performed nationally and internationally, recorded with Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris and released two EPs (Art Projects, Vol. 1 and 2). As an actor, she has worked on projects including Extant (Halle Berry) and Live by Night (Ben Affleck, Zoe Saldana). Oso has combined her ancestral genre of music with R&B, funk, hip-hop and pop music, with Mint Condition bass player Rick Rock, to present a body of work intended to be an act of self-preservation for listeners, in English and Spanish.

KALPULLI YAOCENOXTLI - A traditional Mexica-Nahua (Aztec) cultural group dedicated to preserving and sharing the dances, songs, and philosophy of Nahua traditions and culture.

Black Youth Healing Arts Center - BYHAC  Pop Up team is a group of Young leaders  from the Black Youth Healing Arts Center located  in Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul,  brings art and healing modalitites from BYHAC into the community. Their performances  are collaborative, original and include poetry , drumming, dance , singing. They believe in the power of healing in community and in that spirit lead interactive breathing tools  and chants to engage and ground the audience.

Ewangson - A dynamic music artist who, beyond his music, channels his passion for community organizing, humanitarian works, and peace initiatives, striving to create positive change in society. With a blend of pulsating beats and thought-provoking lyrics, he uses his platform to inspire unity, celebrate diversity, and advocate for social justice. Ewangson's dedication to uplifting the community through music and activism embodies the essence of his patriotic spirit.

Dr. Sheronda Orridge -  Owner / Operator of Loving Spirit Holistic Services LLC. She is also a Holistic Life Coach, Holistic Life Coach Trainer, Community Organizer, Spoken Word Artist, Writer, Published Author, Performer, Motivational Speaker, Community Consultant, Community Editor, Certified Doula, Certified TOP Facilitator, Actress, Event Planner, Curriculum Developer, Radio Talk Show Host, Metaphysical Practitioner, and Spiritual Ordain Minster.

ComMUSICation - Has a mission is to amplify young voices and cultivate skills for success through equitable access to music, collaboration, and opportunity. Founded in 2013, CMC teaches socio-emotional and leadership skills through music-making to St. Paul youth. We believe every young person, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to be in a safe and caring environment where they are free to express themselves, can define their future, and change the world.

Exhibitors

Capitol Region Watershed District

Summit-University Planning Council

CAPRW Head Start

Dispute Resolution Center

Mississippi Market

Prodeo Academy

Victoria Theater Arts Center

Friends for a NonViolent World

Lifesource

Showing Up for Racial Justice-Twin Cities