Meridian’s Bicentennial Celebration of U.S.-Mexico Diplomatic Ties through Sports Diplomacy

In a grand culmination of the bicentennial celebration of diplomatic ties between the United States and Mexico, Meridian paid homage to the indispensable role of sports diplomacy in fortifying the bilateral relationship between the two nations during its reception and pop-up exhibition on December 12, 2023. The evening, filled with Mexican delicacies and music, featured insightful remarks from Amy Alvarez, Assistant Vice President of International External & Regulatory Affairs at AT&T, José Juan López Portillo, Head of the Political Section at the Embassy of Mexico, and Rachel Poynter, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mexico and Canada at the U.S. Department of State. The pop-up exhibition, a visual delight for attendees, showcased captivating panoramic photography from the "Revive tu Cancha" project, a collaborative effort by AT&T Mexico, Comex, and BlueWomenPinkMen to rehabilitate over 50 multipurpose sports courts in communities across Mexico. The vibrant imagery not only highlighted the transformation of these spaces but also emphasized the exceptional power of sports to create a shared foundation for communities, fostering connections, communication, and collaboration toward collective aspirations. In hosting this celebration, Meridian underscored its commitment to the transformative power of sports diplomacy as a cornerstone of fostering international understanding and cooperation.

This program was made possible through the support of

Amy Alvarez (AT&T) highlighted the achievements of AT&T Mexico’s “Revive tu Cancha” initiative during Meridian’s reception and pop-up exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico through sports diplomacy at Meridian House in Washington, DC on December 12, 2023. Photo by Jessica Latos.

José Juan López Portillo (Embassy of Mexico) highlighted the value of sports diplomacy in U.S.-Mexico relations during Meridian’s reception and pop-up exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico through sports diplomacy at Meridian House in Washington, DC on December 12, 2023. Photo by Jessica Latos.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Rachel Poynter (U.S. Department of State) recognized the longstanding diplomatic relationship between the United States and Mexico during Meridian’s reception and pop-up exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico through sports diplomacy at Meridian House in Washington, DC on December 12, 2023. Photo by Jessica Latos.

David Whitted (U.S. Department of State) in conversation with Mayra García (Embassy of Mexico), Erika Argandar (Embassy of Mexico), and María Rodríguez (Embassy of Mexico) during Meridian’s reception and pop-up exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico through sports diplomacy at Meridian House in Washington, DC on December 12, 2023. Photo by Jessica Latos.

Donielle White (Washington Spirit) in conversation with TK Harvey (Meridian International Center) during Meridian’s “Celebrating the Bicentennial of Diplomatic Relations Between the U.S. and Mexico through Sports Diplomacy” reception and pop-up exhibition at Meridian House in Washington, DC on December 12, 2023. Photo by Jessica Latos.

Meg Platt (German Marshall Fund) and Genevieve Jesse (U.S. Department of State) in conversation with Tony Barajas (Tony Barajas Media Services) during Meridian’s reception and pop-up exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico through sports diplomacy at Meridian House in Washington, DC on December 12, 2023. Photo by Jessica Latos.

Lorena Palacios (DC SCORES) in conversation with Paola Bertran and Brian Anderson (DC SCORES) during Meridian’s reception and pop-up exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico through sports diplomacy at Meridian House in Washington, DC on December 12, 2023. Photo by Jessica Latos.

Alejandra Luzardo (Inter-American Development Bank) in conversation with a colleague during Meridian’s reception and pop-up exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico through sports diplomacy at Meridian House in Washington, DC on December 12, 2023. Photo by Jessica Latos.

Enrique Perret (U.S.-Mexico Foundation) in conversation with Rachel Poynter (U.S. Department of State) and Paola Bertran during Meridian’s reception and pop-up exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico through sports diplomacy at Meridian House in Washington, DC on December 12, 2023. Photo by Jessica Latos.

Daniel Rios Villa (AT&T) in conversation with Abigail Bowman (AT&T) during Meridian’s reception and pop-up exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico through sports diplomacy at Meridian House in Washington, DC on December 12, 2023. Photo by Jessica Latos.

Ligia McEvoy (AT&T) in conversation with colleagues during Meridian’s reception and pop-up exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico through sports diplomacy at Meridian House in Washington, DC on December 12, 2023. Photo by Jessica Latos.

Francisco Sánchez (Holland & Knight) in conversation with Daniella Morello (America’s Promise Alliance) during Meridian’s reception and pop-up exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico through sports diplomacy at Meridian House in Washington, DC on December 12, 2023. Photo by Jessica Latos.