A message from Mayor Scott Conger:
On behalf of the City of Jackson, I want to welcome you to the Hub City for the 10th Annual Jackson International Food and Art Festival here in Jackson. The festival unites different cultures from around the world together in one place!
We agree with the festival's mission: "to spread cultural awareness, promote cross-cultural engagement, and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of residents throughout West Tennessee." We are happy to showcase this event to the world.
We hope that you enjoy your stay and time during the festival. It's is because of people like you that the success of this event continues.
Executive Board
DR. SANDRA DEE, JIFAF EXECUTIVE CO-CHAIR
EDUARDO MORALES, JIFAF EXECTIVE CO-CHAIR
VINAY SOOD
WANDA STANFILL
DR. JEAN MARIE WALLS
Pat Ross
Dr. Anna Esquivel
Ronnie Goff
Team Members:
Eduardo Morales
My name is Eduardo Morales, I was born in Mexico on August 21st, 1962. At the age of 5, my parents sent me to live to my grandfather's house in a very small rural community, but that was the only place nearby that had a school. At the age of 8, I went back home to my parents because they finally made a school, where I had to start first grade. Everyone started at first grade no matter the age. From 4th to 6th grade I had to go to another school that I had to walk 6 miles to and from. At the age of 15, I moved to the closest town that had a high school, where I lived with my uncles Catalina and Cruz Morales. During my high school years, I had to work to buy my own books and school supplies, I worked as a baker, a butcher, a waiter, a cook and I also worked selling ice cream. I did not have time to go out on Sundays with my friends. When I finished high school I migrated to the United States. When I got established, I started working and going to school and was able to get my GED, and later on started attending college. I got married and had four kids 2 boys and 2 girls, a few years later I got divorced and kept custody of my four kids. It was not easy to work, study, and raise 4 kids but I did it! In 2003, I decided to retire and continue my college education. In 2005, we moved to Jackson, TN, but it was very different here and it took us a while to adapt. One day, I got a call from Ms. Tammy Buchanan, from the city of Jackson, inviting me to participate in a group, Season of Unity, that our Mayor Mr. Gerry Gist created. This invitation came right when I needed contact with someone from the city, as I was working with my Hispanic Community. When I became part of the Season of Unity I got an idea that I shared with Tammy, which was the International Food and Art Festival. She gave me her full support and now I am very happy because I have made a lot of friends from different cultures and we have all been working together successfully to bring everyone closer together and now the International Food and Art Festival is going to its 10th year!
Dr. Sandra V. Dee
Dr. Sandra V. Dee is an Interventional Cardiologist at the Jackson Clinic and has lived in Jackson for the last 18 years. She was the Lead Chair of the successful inaugural Jackson International Food and Art Festival in October 2014. She has been involved with the festival since its inception and is the Co-Chair for this year’s event, together with Eduardo Morales.
She is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Dee is a medical graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines in 1987 and awarded in 2012 as the Most Outstanding Graduate of her Class. She is a Board Member of the University of Santo Tomas Medical Alumni Association in America. She is actively involved with the American Heart Association Go Red for Women, Circle of Red and breast cancer awareness programs.
Even with her busy practice, Dr. Dee finds time to engage in civic oriented activities. She was the President of the West TN Filipino American Association in Jackson, TN from 2013-2014. During her term as President, her association held several events to foster camaraderie among the Filipino-American community, promote cultural awareness by educating the youth and our community about Philippine cultural heritage as well as raise funds for scholarships and assist members in times of need, including the devastating super typhoon Haiyan.
She is not only passionate about her work as an Interventional Cardiologist and community activities. But, closest to her heart has always been music and playing the piano! One of her most cherished possessions is her 7 ft “B” Steinway baby! Dr. Dee has played for benefit concerts including Steinway’s Doctors in Concert in Memphis for the benefit of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Dr. Dee is also a licensed Zumba instructor and has done zumbathon fundraisers for different causes in Jackson and Memphis. She was also the recipient of the STERLING AWARD for the 20 Most Influential Women in West TN in 2015 and awarded as one of West TN’s Finest Leaders in 2017. Dr. Dee was recognized as American Heart Association Woman of Impact and one of the Most Influential Women of Jackson in 2021. Dr. Dee is a Board member of the Jackson Symphony, Community Foundation of West TN and the Chairwoman of the AHA West TN Circle of Red for Women from 2022- 2024.
Vinay Sood
Vinay Sood, has lived in Jackson since 1996. He is employed as a pharmaceutical sales representative for a large national pharmaceutical company. He has been involved with the JIFAF for 10 years and serves as Chair, Sponsorship and Fundraising. In addition, to his role with JIFAF, Vinay, is an active member of the Jackson Indian Association and has been a past board member for the Jackson YMCA. If you would like to assist or be involved with the sponsorship and fundraising committee, please contact us at jacksonifaf@gmail.com
WANDA STANDFILL
Wanda Stanfill is a lifelong resident of Jackson, Tennessee. She served as past co-chair of the City of Jackson Commission on Unity and serves on the Jackson International Food and Art Festival executive board.
Wanda has devoted many years of service to nonprofits and the community, professionally and as a volunteer. She is an accomplished portrait artist, sculptor, illustrator of children's books, and graphic designer. Her papier mâché creations are well known. Wanda was commissioned to create a pair of Blue Suede Shoes for the late Grammy Producer John Cossette and made a papier mâché sculpture of "Persephone" for Pat Kerr Tigrett's fashion show. The statue stands over 8 feet tall and created from recycled newspapers and materials. Her latest sculpture is the bronze sculpture of Sue Shelton White, the first female attorney in Jackson and one of the suffragists who fought and won the right to vote for women.
Dr. Jean Marie Walls
Dr. Jean Marie Walls is Professor of French and Chair of the Department of Language. She has devoted her teaching career to helping students understand the importance of communication across cultures, particularly through language study. She has helped students cultivate deeper and more informed understanding of other cultures and has worked to promote meaningful engagement across cultures. Through her teaching and research, she has enabled others to creatively and productively navigate cultural difference across diverse national and global cultures.
Dr. Walls taught at Mississippi State University and Louisiana State University before accepting a position in 1987 at Union University. Throughout her career teaching French and Intercultural Studies, Dr. Walls has worked at the local level to support collaborative activities in area high schools and colleges such as language immersion weekends, teacher workshops, study abroad collaboratives, university’s town and gown lecture series events, and language conversation groups. She works actively with national and international professional organizations such as the American Association of Teachers of French, American Council for Quebec Studies, and the Modern Language Association. She has served as President for the Tennessee Foreign Language Teaching Association and President of the Tennessee chapter of the American Association for Teachers of French.
Helping students broaden their horizons through study abroad has been a high priority for Dr. Walls. Collaborating with colleagues from all over the state, she helped organize the Mid-Continent Consortium for International Education and served as Executive Director from 2005-2010.
In recent years, Dr. Walls has served on the organizing team for the Jackson International Food and Arts Festival promoting cultural awareness for the community and encouraging new and innovative conversations across cultures. As an outgrowth of the Festival, she has also co-chaired the annual Mayor’s Dinner for International Students at City Hall.
Dr. ANNA ESQUIVEL
Chair of Languages and Literature, Jackson State Community College
Chair, JIFAF Vendors Committee, Website Design and Maintenance
Pat Ross
Senior Resource Director, United Way of West TN
Co-Chair, JIFAF Volunteers Committee
Ronnie Goff
Executive Committee Assistant and Organizer
tony black
Festival Operations / Logistics Co-Chair
bridget parham
City of Jackson
CHRISTI DAVID
City of Jackson
lattrell billinsley
Jackson Fire Department
Patrick Williams
City of Jackson
Duane Seals
Jackson Fire Department
Terry Halford
Jackson Police Department
william casey
City of Jackson
Whitney Billingsley
City of Jackson
melissa cockrell
City of Jackson
Lori Nunnery
Executive Director, Jackson Tourism