🌍 In this episode of the Landmark Difference Makers Podcast, we delve into the remarkable work of Dr. Wendy Sternberg, the founder and Executive Artistic Director of Genesis at the Crossroads. For over 24 years, Wendy has been creating transformative programs that build peaceful communities at the intersection of social justice, education, and the arts. Her visionary leadership has earned international acclaim and touched countless lives, proving that the arts can be a powerful force for healing and connection.
What Is Genesis at the Crossroads?
Genesis at the Crossroads is a Chicago-based nonprofit with a global reach, focused on fostering understanding and connection through arts-based peacebuilding. At its heart, Genesis believes in using the arts—especially music—to bridge cultural divides and spark meaningful dialogue. Wendy explains, “The arts are a neutral, creative space where people can share their culture and identity. When people feel truly seen and known, conflict can diminish, and healing can begin.”
The organization works across three interconnected areas: arts and peacebuilding, leadership and education, and arts-based humanitarian work. Its initiatives range from performances and festivals to educational programs that nurture the next generation of global leaders.
Saffron Caravan: Music as a Bridge
One of Genesis’s signature projects is Saffron Caravan, a cross-cultural music ensemble featuring artists from conflict regions such as Iran, Afghanistan, Israel, Morocco, and the United States. The ensemble creates and performs original music that reflects the shared humanity of diverse cultures. Performances have taken place in historically significant and challenging locations, from Jerusalem to the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Wendy recalls a powerful moment during a performance in Bosnia, where the ensemble demonstrated the transformative power of music in a region still healing from genocide. “The arts create a space for people to come together and experience something transcendent,” she says. “It’s a reminder that we are more alike than different.”
The Genesis Academy: Shaping Future Leaders
A cornerstone of Genesis’s mission is the Genesis Academy Summer Institute, an educational program that brings young leaders from conflict and post-conflict regions together to develop skills in peacebuilding and leadership. These youth, whom Wendy calls “the next generation of Nelson Mandelas and Malalas,” engage in workshops that build their capacity to lead and create change in their communities.
“Young people ache to have their voices heard,” Wendy shares. “They want to make a difference. We provide them with the tools and confidence to turn their vision into reality.”
A Transformative Journey
Wendy’s own journey began in medicine, earning her M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. However, after participating in Landmark’s Self-Expression and Leadership Program, she realized her true passion lay in the arts and its potential for global impact. The program inspired her to create Genesis, a project that would align her creativity with her commitment to social justice.
Through her leadership, Wendy has not only built a vibrant organization but also redefined what’s possible in the realms of peace and healing. She remains steadfast in her mission, even acknowledging that she may never see the full fruits of her labor. “I’m setting the table for future generations,” she says. “The work of building peace is slow and enduring, but it’s vital for our collective humanity.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Wendy envisions expanding Genesis’s impact through the Genesis Peace Hub, a global network of centers dedicated to fostering peace and innovation. Planned sites include locations in Chicago, Berlin, Ghana, Mauritius, and New Zealand. Each hub will offer unique programs addressing critical issues such as climate change, food justice, and healthcare equity, alongside the arts and leadership training.
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