Topeka’s Center For Peace & Justice To Host 2026 Peace Gala, Featuring Keynote By Kansas City, Kansas Mayor Christal Watson
The Center for Peace & Justice, Inc. (formerly the Topeka Center for Peace & Justice) plans to host its 2026 Peace Gala on Friday, Oct. 9. The gala’s theme, “Peace by Piece: Building a Healthy Community, ” reflects The Center’s focus on strengthening the Topeka area through peace education, conflict resolution and restorative justice initiatives.
Kansas City, Kansas Mayor Christal Watson, a vocal advocate for community-centered leadership and collaborative approaches to public safety and civic engagement, has been tapped to deliver the gala’s keynote address. The event will be held at the Topeka Zoo’s Kay McFarland Japanese Garden & Venue, 635 S.W. Gage Blvd. A social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and programming.
A highlight of the evening will be presentation of The Center’s annual community awards, recognizing individuals and organizations whose work in 2026 advanced peace, justice and healing across Topeka. Honorees across several categories will be announced at the event.
The following award categories include multiple nominees:
ORGANIZATION AWARD (3 nominees)
Topeka Rescue Mission, for expanding shelter access, food assistance and outreach services to families experiencing homelessness and hardship.
Ripple, a public art and storytelling initiative created to connect residents and students to Topeka’s civil rights history.
The Compassion Impact Center, a new one-stop resource hub connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with housing support, health care, job training and more than 60 community partner services.
FAITH AWARD (3 nominees)
New Mount Zion Baptist Church, for launching its Healing Hearts support group and expanding food assistance, blood drives and outreach to vulnerable community residents.
True Holiness Family Church D.O.M.E., for its youth development programming, twice-weekly food distribution, and support services for individuals and families affected by substance abuse.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka, for its Earth and Social Justice Committee’s volunteer partnerships, efforts to promote inclusion, and pastoral care ministry supporting the practical and emotional needs of community members.
“Our 2026 Peace Gala is a chance to celebrate the individuals, organizations and young people across Topeka who are doing the meaningful, shared work of building a heathier, more connected community,” said Carl Frazier, Executive Director of The Center for Peace & Justice. “Peace isn't created all at once; it's built piece by piece, through the everyday actions of people at all levels of leadership, who choose compassion, dialogue and service to others. The Center for Peace & Justice is proud to take up the mantle of promoting justice and peaceful progress, through education and action for social change. This work is for everyone. We hope you’ll join us.”
Attendance and sponsorship at the Peace Gala directly support The Center's ongoing work to elevate peace education, conflict resolution and restorative justice. Individual tickets and sponsorship packages are available online at bit.ly/2026PeaceGala. Community members are encouraged to reserve tickets early, as seating is limited.
