Humanitarian Mary Fanaro’s mission: Empower youth and heal through music
BY LA Stories Staff Inglewood
PUBLISHED 5:00 AM PT Apr. 14, 2025
As founder of the OmniPeace Foundation, Mary Fanaro became a pioneer in the world of conscious consumerism. The brand went viral by printing her foundation logo on a t-shirt and tapping her celebrity friends to wear the clothing.
Fanaro was one of the first fashion brands to donate earnings to help build schools and empower youth in Africa. With its rapid popularity, Fanaro built seven schools across the continent.
“It’s their primary schools, first to sixth grade,” she said. “And also we teach the villagers, the elders, how to read at night… about a thousand kids every grade, every year for 20 years.”
In the latest episode of “LA Stories with Giselle Fernandez,” Fanaro explains how her efforts didn’t stop there. While on a gorilla trek in Rwanda, her cab driver, who knew she built schools, suggested she build a music school because his son wanted to learn music.
While hesitant initially, the people of post-genocide Rwanda inspired her. She launched Rwanda Rocks, creating music schools to empower youth through music. According to Fanaro, it’s the only school of its kind providing free music education — and it’s changing lives.
“I think part of a country rising from the ashes of the genocide and giving free music education to children at the same time is something very powerful,” she said.
Now, Fanaro is bringing her initiative to Los Angeles with her Global Music Box program. It provides underserved communities and schools with everything they need to start a music class, including instruments, teaching training and curriculums.
She first launched the program at the Dolores T. Richardson School in Inglewood and plans to expand throughout the city. Fanaro emphasizes the transformational power of music, comparing it to a defibrillator that revives kids to a life they didn’t know was possible.
The message is clear: Music is a simple, powerful tool for healing, growth and hope.
“Giving them an instrument… you find your voice,” Fanaro said. “You find your song, and then you become part of the symphony of life.”