05/22/2021
The International Festival of the United States of America, widely regarded as ‘The Nation’s Official Celebration of Multiculturalism and Diversity” officially celebrates that special day: back in 2002, when the United Nations General Assembly chose May 21 as the “World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development” in its Resolution 57/249, This celebration was held in tandem with The Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Houston’s City Hall; joined by:The Honorable Mayor Sylvester Turner, Gina Belafonte, daughter of the iconic Harry Belafonte and Executive Director of Sankofa.org, The Honorable Judy Cheng-Hopkins, former Assistant Secretary General of United Nations for Peacebuilding Support, The Honorable Paula Boland, Chair of the United Nations USA National Council, Dan Stoecker, President of UNA-USA Houston, Antonio Arellano, Human Rights Advocate, Hideo Fukushima (Consul General of Japan), T.H. Gabriel Volpi (Consul General of Argentina and Dean Consular Corps), Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, The Honorable Dr.Teta Banks, Executive Board Member of the World Federation of the United Nations Associations, Ellen Goldberg, former President of Sister Cities of Houston, and Martin Cominsky, President and CEO of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
Mistress of Ceremony:
Lisa Trapani Shumate
Associate VP and General Manager of Houston Public Media
