Living Radically Ambitious

Part of the Rock Star Lifestyle is knowing how to use your powers, your profile and your influence to help others get the Rock Star feeling. This is something that young people seem to be taking a strong liking to. Many of the activities we engage in are for the betterment of our community. From the kids at Brazen Careerist helping other young professionals be heard to Mark Z making a system like Facebook for interaction to the availability of information on Google (like Books and Maps and well, search), many of the things we do and use help people improve their lives.

Selfish sustainability in not the Young Rock Star way.

In fact we are starting nonprofits in record numbers, foregoing entering the real world to jump on mission trips or help the homeless in soccer tournaments or starting companies to help others learn, share or connect. It is something that is going to define our generation.

I wanted to share with you 7 young people that I feel are doing a tremendous job of bringing Social Change to the limelight. I hope you enjoy their stories and seek them out if you are moving on a similar path, they all have amazing knowledge and have ideas that are going to strengthen our planet. The 7 are:

Chris Goyzueta - Rock For Hunger

I have the distinct pleasure of working side by side with Chris and Rock For Hunger and it has honestly changed my life. This 26 year old Executive Director has switched gear from aspiring med student to local savior and voice for the homeless. Looking to find true solutions and not continue government aided band aids, Chris has been able to change the lives of many in Central Florida with many more to come. Read his stories of a nonprofit CEO on the Rock For Hunger Blog every Monday or follow his antics on Twitter.

Sam Davidson - Cool People Care

Sam Davidson is a young author, blogger, nonprofit social media strategist and marathon runner. Sam is probably best known for his work with Cool People Care, his Tennessee startup that helps nonprofits recruit and engage with young volunteers and grow their organizations. This summer he is hosting Social Media Summer Camp, helping nonprofits navigate and use tools to engage their communities and meeting fund raising goals. If you want more Sam, check out their 5 Minutes of Caring, his daily 99 word messages to change the world, you can also follow him on Twitter.

Blake Mycoskie - Tom’s Shoes

I first heard of Blake and Tom’s Shoes on a segment on Current TV. Now the guy is all over AT&T commercials and I couldn’t be happier that they are featuring such as awesome guy with a Rock Star personality and heart. From the shoes all the way up to his entire surfer look and feel, Blake is making Rock Star change happen all over the world. Their mission is simple - get shoes on the feet of those that cant (that’s my version). This year they are on track to do somewhere around 200,000 shoes with their buy a pair, give a pair business plan, showing that you can make a profit and do something that impacts people all over the globe. If you are looking for a pair of their shoes, check out their store locator with the link on the bottom of their site. Check out the commercial here:

Jamie Tworkowski - To Write Love on Her Arms

Honestly I found out about TWLOHA through their amazing apparel. Their t-shirts can be found at nearly any punk, emo, or indie rock show in Florida and perhaps all over the globe. Originally the organization was started to pay for Renee Yohe’s treatments for addiction, depression, self-injury, and attempted suicide and sold t-shirts to cover some of the costs. As the organization grew they started connecting with young people all over the world in the attempts to be someone to talk to, get answers from and seek comfort with in order to avoid these life changing altercations. Jaime is an amazing stroy teller and has been able to hear stories from kids all over and change their lives while delivering their message through some truly Rock Star gear. Support his cause by buying a tee or hoodie in their online shop.

Stacey Monk - Epic Change

Stacey took a life changing trip to Africa, Stacey knew she could offer something more to the world. Along with Epic Change co-founder Sanjay Patel, Stacey has been able to aide in rebuilding and expanding Shepherds Junior, a small primary school in Arusha, Tanzania at which Monk and Patel volunteered in during their 2007 trip to Africa. They have been able to raise funds successfully on Twitter with a campaign dubbed Tweetsgiving. They have helped the school to #1 ranking out of 117 in the Arusha district. Stacey rocks and also Tweets.

Josh Shipp - HeyJosh.com

Josh is a reknowned speaker and youth advocate who overcame his own youth to lead teens and young adults into inspiring situations. His unique approach lets him use teenage language and get in and speak with them and not to them. He has been a true rock star, appearing on TRL (kinda sad its now off the air), Comedy Central, CNN, the LA Times and all sorts of other mainsteam media. Josh takes letters, emails and listens to stories from kids al over the world in hopes of inspiring them to be something great and oversoming adversity, a true Rock Star quality. Watch him rock on HeyJosh TV and catch his moves on Twitter.

Travis McCoy - Gym Class Heroes / MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation

Here is an actual Rock Star that is using his position, status and personality to help young people in Africa in efforts to combat HIV / AIDS awareness. Young people 15 to 24 now account for 45 percent of HIV infections worldwide and Travis is doing something about it as MTV’s ambassador for their Staying Alive Foundation. Amidst the public breakups (Katie Perry), the world tours and even a stint in rehab, Travis is using his powers for good and even wrote an entire homage to his first trip to Africa over on the Huffington Post last week. I will admit that Travis and GCH have been one of my favorite bands ever since they came through and rocked the Social in Orlando a few years back and played their alt hip-hop to a crowd of 20 kids. He came back the following year and rocked a free frat party and the next fall took me on a trip with them through Florida, even showing love to my band. Truly glad to see him using those Rock Sar powers for good.

Who Inspires You With Social Change?

I invite you now to share others who are creating social change and how you are taking steps in your lives to help others live like Rock Stars. It is a feeling that can improve confidence and inspire creativity like nothing else on this planet. I look forward to sharing with you guys!

-Greg Rollett

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