Celebrating the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, international finance and sustainability expert Maria Spartalis took center stage in Times Square, co-hosting a landmark environmental concert and exhibition alongside Reverend Paul Sladkus, founder of Good News Corporation.
In front of a vibrant crowd on the Times Square Pedestrian Plaza, Spartalis called on politicians, bankers, and global leaders to commit to climate funding, aligning her message with EarthDay.org’s campaign, “Our Power, Our Planet.” Her speech emphasized the critical need for financial institutions to take active responsibility in driving the transition to a greener global economy.
The Earth Day celebration featured dynamic performances by OMMM (“Love Your Mother”), Antonique Smith, Jarvis Smith, and AY Young. Virtual contributions came from influential voices such as Ringo Starr, Dr. Jane Goodall, Leonardo DiCaprio, Stevie Wonder, and Shakira. Support from the United Nations Development Programme and the Equator Initiative highlighted the global scale of the event.
Peace ambassadors Giorgia Fumanti and pianist Katya Grineva brought a classical elegance to the occasion, reinforcing the event’s call for unity through sustainability and cultural expression.
Following the event, Spartalis held high-level conversations with organizations including Valley Bank, Swift Rails, American Oriental Arts Foundation, Hugg A Planet, and Gitterman Wealth Management — all pledging new investments in green innovation and startup ecosystems.
“As we mark 400 years of New York City’s legacy, we must also invest in the next 400 years for our planet,” Spartalis said in closing. “This is our moment to lead with action — not only for Earth Day, but every day.”
