For the last 135 weeks, Justin Lucci of Global Love Project has been chalking messages of peace on the corner of Central and 11th. I’ve stumbled across them myself, bemused and pausing to read the scrawl, take in the penmanship, but ignorant of their origins. Global Love Project fosters global harmony and peace through community outreach and artistic expression.

What began as a means to transform Lucci’s grief from a personal loss into positivity has evolved into a 501C3 non-profit. “It started as something emotional for me,” says Lucci, “but seeing the chalk again the next day made it communal.” To date, Lucci has chalked the sidewalk with upwards of 10,000 people. “Chalk is an interesting medium,” Lucci says, “because it doesn’t last. We don’t see the long-term effects, but we get the opportunity to say something.”

Lucci’s Global Love Project advocates for peace, inspired by the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly the 17th goal: anchoring partnerships. Lucci has been working with people and organizations within the community that represent one or more of the 17 goals. He recently partnered with the Ronald McDonald House, which provides room and board to families whose children are being treated at the hospital, and together engaged families in outdoor activities. Many more partnerships continue to transpire.

Global Love Project celebrates International Day of Peace

On Saturday, September 21, 3:30pm-7:30pm, at North Straub Park (400 Bayshore Dr. NE), the Global Love Project will be advocating awareness for the 25th anniversary of the International Day of Peace. 25 years ago, the United Nations General Assembly declared that “[peace] not only is the absence of conflict, but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.”

The International Day of Peace celebration in St. Petersburg showcases the city’s growth and resilience, uniting local partners like Bob Devin Jones, St. Pete Youth Farm, St. Pete Run Fest, Body Electric, and others to emphasize a community-wide commitment to fostering peace.

Upcoming events for International Peace Week include:

September 17: The Global Love Project Sunset Love Gathering Vinoy Park (701 Bayshore Dr NE) 5pm-8pm

September 19: Puja at Kodawari Studios (3965 Henderson Blvd Suite C) from 6pm-8pm

September 21: “Peace In The Park”

• 9am: Joyful Tai Chi Pavillion at North Straub Park (400 Bayshore Dr NE)
• 3pm-8pm: The Global Love Project Community Wide Chalking Event – Straub Park
  Activations around sustainability throughout the park, live music, artists and more
• 7pm-8pm: Peace Walk – “Peace On The Pier” 1.5 mile walk for Peace at 600 2nd Ave NE. Lighting Ceremony hosted by St Pete Run Fest Team

Join the Global Love Project year-round in St. Pete

The Global Love Project welcomes all to join them every Sunday from 9am-11am on the corner of Central Ave. and 11th downtown St. Pete, as well as at Vinoy Park every Tuesday. Via their partnerships, the Global Love Project has additional events which you can check out here as well as more information on how to get involved here.