Join Us for
Thursday, May 8, 2025
7-8 pm PT
Let’s Create Peaceful Playgrounds Together!
For close to 25 years, Soul Shoppe has been shifting elementary school cultures by providing programs that foster student leadership through empathy, respect and peacemaking skills. To date, Soul Shoppe has reached over 1 million students!
Picture This
Imagine — the sounds of a peaceful playground.
Imagine — the faces of kids having fun and playing full out.
Imagine — a playground where every kid belongs.
You’re Cordially Invited
On May 8th, we’ll honor The 2024-25 Peacemaker Awardees. For 2025, we’re highlighting the remarkable young leaders who are transforming their playgrounds into havens of peace, safety and joy.
Through our awards and fundraising event, we’re extending our reach with this transformative initiative to provide Peace Paths to new schools. Schools across the country have let us know they want Peacemakers on their campus but don’t have the resources — sponsoring a school’s Peace Path removes that barrier!
Stories from the Playground
Kids coming to my office has decreased dramatically! They’re able to solve their own problems with the help of the Peacemakers. It’s a huge improvement here — minor things are resolved before coming to the office.
— Nick Casey
Principal
Students know they can find a Peacemaker to get support when problems arise. Peacemakers has helped prevent problems coming back into the classroom. The program has given us common language across grade levels.
— Kimberly Valentino
Principal
I’ve seen Soul Shoppe change us and it’s changed me. Through Peacemakers, I hope for a more peaceful future for all of us and for generations to come.
— Stephanie Martinez
Program Director
of Student Services
Peacemakers has helped me in my personal life and in school to teach me to be patient and kind to others. One thing I love about being a Peacemaker is that it teaches me how to forgive.
— Mila Stella, 4th Grade
Student Peacemaker
Be a Part of the Peace Path
Let’s pave the way for a generation of Peacemakers and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive in an atmosphere of safety and peace.
Together, we can make the dream of a Peace Path on every playground a reality. Join us in building a brighter, more peaceful future for our youth!
During This One-Hour Event, You Will
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Learn powerful lessons from student Peacemakers
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Listen to how student Peacemakers are creating safety on campus
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Be inspired by the power of empathy, compassion and resilience
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Celebrate the good work done on a daily basis on school campuses
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Contribute to our vision of peace on every playground
Soul Shoppe’s 2024–25
Peacemaker Awards Recipients
We work with amazing school communities, all worthy of celebration. For 2025, we’re highlighting the following people for their outstanding commitment to peace.
Visionary Leader Award
DB Bedford
DB Bedford is a trailblazer in emotional intelligence, bridging the gap between personal growth, leadership development and community transformation. As the founder of Ei365, he has dedicated his life to helping individuals, teams and organizations build emotional resilience, navigate conflict and create cultures of trust and accountability.
Born and raised in Oakland, DB’s journey is one of transformation. He turned adversity into expertise, using his firsthand experiences with the juvenile justice system to shape his mission. After being incarcerated as a youth, he redirected his path and later served as a leader in the very system that once held him — becoming the first Compliance and Standards Supervisor for Alameda County Probation. His 16-year career in criminal justice gave him a deep understanding of human behavior, emotional triggers and the power of second chances.
DB’s commitment to youth advocacy earned him national recognition as the first recipient of the Spirit of Youth Award from the Coalition of Juvenile Justice. His work continues to impact schools, corporations and communities, where he teaches emotional intelligence as a tool for empowerment, leadership and peace-building.
DB Bedford stands as a testament to the power of emotional intelligence — not just as a skill but as a force for personal and societal change. He continues to inspire change by teaching the art of emotional mastery — one conversation, one relationship and one leader at a time.
Administrative Team of the Year
Michelle Ulysses-Grant, Robin Morrison, Sarah Collie
Miami Dade County Public Schools • Miami, FL
Peacemaker Trainers of the Year
Deanna Elzey and Erika Hammond
Joseph Weller Elementary • Milpitas, CA
Student Peacemaker Team of the Year
The Student Peacemakers
James Monroe Elementary School • San Leandro, CA
Peacemaker Spotlight
Diana Hacker, Schaleen Connoly, Stacey Errico
Farmington Public Schools • Farmington, CT
More Stories from the Playground
One of our biggest joys is having our older students work with younger grades. We love seeing our older students become leaders of the school. We love the set up and that the fun training stations are easy to follow.
— Cindy Ann
Teacher
I love the Peacemaker program because it allows students to get along with each other. I see a big difference out on the playground. They’re patient with everyone. It’s a wonderful program.
— Ms. Adams
Teacher
It’s been magical to see them out on the playground being amazing Peacemakers. Our suggestion box is a place that Peacemakers use if they have a question.
— Nicole Grashton
Teacher
Being a Peacemaker makes me confident because other students trust me. I use the “I Message” to solve my problems as well. It’s helped me express feelings. I feel like a responsible person; I feel like a teacher.
— Ben, 3rd Grade
Student Peacemaker
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