All People’s Day founder Susan Berkowitz-Schwartz (in red) with representatives from many different cultures. (All People's Day/Courtesy )

One of my few Northstar mottos that I would embroider onto a pillow if I could sew is, “Good ideas are a dime a dozen. Making them happen is priceless.” Meet a priceless person in our midst. Her name is Susan Berkowitz-Schwartz.

A half century ago, Susan had the germ of a good idea that’s grown against all odds and has captured many around these parts. All People’s Day has the potential to become national, and even international, from here.

Susan’s good Idea was rooted in her strong desire to have people understand and embrace different cultures. Envisioning a celebration of music, art and crafts would make fellowship flow like sweet sap from a spring maple.

Susan began life with a relatively minor disability called dyslexia. Because she couldn’t read until fifth grade she was put in a class with kids who had Down syndrome. In that environment during her formative years, little Susan felt alone. She wasn’t expected to earn any academic achievement. She wasn’t even expected to complete high school.

Fortunately, she had a strong artistic gift. Once discovered and nurtured by her mom, she found her strength. The girl learned to read. She overcame her difficult start. Her academic career culminated with a masters degree in art therapy.

Along with her academic success, she developed a keen sense of sensitivity and empathy for the plight of others. The lessons she learned in her formative years softened her heart and hardened her resolve to use her talent to help people understand and connect with one another.

Steve West (Mort Mazor / Courtesy / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

Things fell into place for the young woman. She married, worked and started a family. With a son in diapers and had a daughter on the way, it was time to plant her seed for her children to learn kindness and thoughtfulness toward others. Susan created three original art projects that became the mainstays of All People’s Day — a holiday she created for her kids.

She invited friends to her annual celebration. She invented unique crafts such  as various colored “dough people” to teach the children acceptance of other people.

Over the years, her vision was joined by others. Friends liked her ideas and invited her to make presentations in schools and houses of worship in 50 towns. There, like a stand-up comedian working small clubs, she honed and refined her product.

The turning point was in Atlantic City in 2007 where she was hired to make a presentation to all the public schools. A stranger suggested that she make All People’s Day a festival — and so it was born. When she moved to Delray Beach, her vision came with her.

She has persisted in making the festival a popular feature on the South Florida social calendar. Her annual events now draw as many as 2,000 people with 50 vendor and nonprofit booths and an annual cornucopia of wonderful ethnic performers.

With her March 19, 2022, All People’s Day Diversity Festival, she had turned her good idea into an inspiring reality for the 13th time in Palm Beach County.

When I met Susan five years ago I was inspired. The Susans of the world lift us to be our best. In these times of turbulence, she’s a lighthouse guiding us toward calmer waters.

Steve West is a social justice advocate and entrepreneur living in Delray Beach.