Recently, Joshua was selected as one of 12 semi-finalists worldwide for a Billion Acts of Peace “Hero Award” through the PeaceJam Foundation.

His act, “Coexist with Cookies,” was chosen with help from 14 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates from more than 13 million acts worldwide. The first “Coexist with Cookies” campaign started back in 2015 and it has grown to include the “Shared Sweets” campaign and collaborations with the community through the Make A Wish Foundation, the Village of Promise, the American Heart Association, local foster care organizations, the Icing Smiles, Inc. Foundation, and more! His campaigns bring together diverse (and sometimes marginalized) members of our community and focuses on how we are similar—in this case, with a love for cookies! Joshua seeks to give a voice to those who are struggling who may not be able to speak for themselves.

As a semi-finalist, Joshua will be recognized for efforts to promote peace and stand against racism, hate, and bullying. He considers this nomination a little ironic because he himself has experienced judgment and cyber bullying from some who don’t think a child (or his parents) should own/run a bakery.

When he was first nominated and learned he was chosen as a semi-finalist, Joshua too questioned whether he was worthy of such an honor and/or trip. After reading about the other youth from all over the world who have done and continue to do amazing things, he wondered if he should forfeit the nomination.

However, Joshua remembered it only takes a tiny drop of food coloring to flood an entire batch of icing. He remembered what Mahatma Gandhi said about it only taking a “gentle way to shake the entire world” and what Mother Teresa said about peace “beginning with a single smile.” Joshua also reminded himself of what he learned at Peacebuilder’s Camp: kindness begins with each of us, and we should strive to be the change we want to see in the world.

Now he’s excited about the nomination and will continue to strive to make an impact on his community and world through the bakery. He hopes to make his community proud when he travels to Mexico to take part in the 17th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. He’s looking forward to learning at the feet of world leaders and bridge builders, including multiple Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, then passing along that knowledge to his customers and community.

We hope Joshua’s story inspires you as much as it inspires us! To learn more about what Joshua is doing to promote peace through baked goods, check out his page: facebook.com/peacefulpastriesandsweets.

With smiles,

Kaitlyn Depoister

Icing Smiles Blog Writer