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Meet Kevin

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"Every one of us has the potential 2 positively impact thousands of lives during our lifetimes."-Kevin Szawala

A Brief Bio on 'Mr. Peace':

Kevin Szawala, or ‘Mr. Peace’, age 26, is a motivational speaker, author, poet, hip-hop artist, peace activist, visionary and friend. Born in Detroit, he moved to his hometown of South Lyon when he was five. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics, Spanish & Global Change, as well as Wayne State University of Detroit where he has his Masters in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing & Entrepreneurial Management. Working in the Automotive Industry for 5 years after college, he found his greater passion in working with youth.

Szawala is the founder of “Being Who I Want 2 Be, LLC”, a motivational speaking forum started in 2006 and designed to help at-risk youth, ranging from elementary age students to young adults. So far his message has reached over 50,000 people state-wide including Bradford Academy, Dodson Elementary, Winchell Elementary, Workman Elementary, Ore Creek M.S, Pioneer M.S., Bath H.S., Lansing Catholic H.S., Livonia Churchill H.S., South Lyon H.S, Michigan Toastmaster’s, Belleville’s Rotary Club, St. Mary’s School (Pinckney), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Spring Arbor University, Madonna University, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Michigan's Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion and Schoolcraft College to name a few.

At St. Joseph’s Church, he gives back to the community that raised him by serving as the current High School Youth Minister, Sunday Family Program Co-Coordinator and a Catechist. Through his roles, he teaches weekly K-12 religious education classes. He is also one of the leaders in both the newly formed Evangelization Committee and Young Adults Group, which work to bring people of his Parish and the surrounding area closer to their faith.

Outside of Church and Speaking life, Kevin has produced two hip-hop CD’s called, “☮ B W/ U (Peace Be With You)” & “Need Human Kindness”. Each mixtape has a faith-based undertone with uplifting, positive lyrics.

As an instrumental member of the Department of Peace campaign since 2008, he now holds the State Coordinator responsibility as of 2011, traveling to clubs all over Michigan to give talks on peace and non-violence. Kevin simultaneously heads the promotion of the state-wide initiative called “Moveable Peace”, which is an effort seeking to move peace throughout the Great Lake State by way of peace walks, talks, and concerts, with an end goal of establishing a Commission for Peace and Justice, and being the first state in the country to do so.

At the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Kevin is the creator of the student peace alliance chapter there called, “Students Empowering Students (SES)”, an organization established to provide students with the tools necessary to make a difference in this world. He has also held annual P.E.A.C.E. (Promoting Ethnic And Cultural Equality) DAY events on the center of campus since 2006 when he was a student there to encourage further connection, community, tolerance and acceptance. Since that time schools across the nation have adopted the model to hold P.E.A.C.E. DAY celebration to honor their commitment to diversity in their own cities.