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Saturday, May 30, 2026 · Discovery Green – Houston, TX
iFest USA Celebration of the United Nations World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
The International Festival of the United States of America, esteemed as 'The Nation's Official Celebration of Multiculturalism and Diversity,' commemorates the United Nations World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. This grand celebration, coinciding with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, unfolded within the distinguished City Hall Legacy Room.
This tribute dates back to 2002 when the United Nations General Assembly designated May 21 as the "World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development" through Resolution 57/249. setting of Houston's City Hall.
Notable luminaries have graced this occasion, including City of Houston Mayor, Gina Belafonte, daughter of the iconic Harry Belafonte and Executive Director of Sankofa.org. Honorable Judy Cheng-Hopkins, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, and Honorable Paula Boland, Chair of the United Nations USA National Council, have added their distinguished presence. The event has also welcomed figures like Congresswomen Sylvia Garcia and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, T.H. Gabriel Volpi (Consul General of Argentina and Dean Consular Corps), and The Honorable Dr. Teta Banks, Executive Board Member of the World Federation of the United Nations Associations.
The roster of esteemed guests extends to Dan Stoecker, President of UNA-USA Houston, Antonio Arellano, Human Rights Advocate, Hideo Fukushima (Consul General of Japan), Ellen Goldberg, former President of Sister Cities of Houston, and Martin Cominsky, President and CEO of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston. The event has been artfully hosted by Lisa Trapani Shumate, Associate VP, and General Manager of Houston Public Media.
iFest USA JOINED FORCES WITH UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) joined forces with The International Festival USA to celebrate UNESCO's mission to preserve humanity's essence through jazz and art, uniting influential leaders and diverse artistic performances in Houston. This event highlights the it’s cultural richness, jazz music's resonance, and UNESCO's principles of cultural preservation. Aligned with UNESCO's Slave Route Project, themed 'Assume the past, understand the present, build the future together,' the celebration resonates through jazz, a universal language symbolizing freedom, born from the depths of history, including the struggle for liberty and dignity. Notable guests include UNESCO representatives, Grammy-winning icon Marcus Miller, UN Assistant Secretary-General Judy Cheng-Hopkins, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston's Mayor, and more, making this a vibrant convergence of cultures, music, and advocacy for global understanding.
Distinguished guests graced the occasion, featuring The Honorable Eliot Minchenberg, Director of Office/UNESCO Representative to the United Nations Headquarters, UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador Marcus Miller, GRAMMY award-winning icon. The esteemed list also includes The Honorable Judy Cheng-Hopkins, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Consul General Hirofumi Murabayashi of Japan, Mayor Sylvester Turner of the City of Houston, Zion Escobar, Executive Director of Freedmen’s Town Conservancy, the Herbie Hancock Institute/HSPVA Jazz Ensemble, and many more luminaries.