Playing for Change – Changing the World Through Music

A few years back, I remember seeing a viral video of a group of musicians performing "Stand by Me." It was one of those rare moments that you feel something grab you, take you in, and you lose all sense of anything or anyone around you. As moving as this performance is, the story behind it and the continuing journey, are even more amazing. Please turn up your volume and enjoy:



This was the first single from Playing for Change, a multi-media charity art project of Mark Johnson and Whitney Kroenke. What began as a project to record musicians from around the world and to share their music with the world, sprouted a movement to give back to these musician's communities through The Playing for Change Foundation.

Last fall I had the opportunity to see the Playing for Change concert at the Musical Instrument Museum and attend an educational session on their journey with Co-Founder Mark Johnson.  I was excited to hear first-hand of how his idea evolved into such an incredible movement.  I honestly didn't think the hairs on my arms and the back of my neck could stand up for a full 2 hours, but evidently, they can.  It was truly overwhelming listening to his inspiring journey, seeing the sparkle in his eyes and hearing the passion in his voice.  The only thing missing from this learning session was a box of much-needed tissues.  You'll see the sparkle and hear the passion in this short clip of Mark:



To date, Playing for Change Foundation has created 7 music programs, 130 jobs and have 600 students attending music programs they started throughout the world.  With their "mission to ensure that anyone with the desire to receive a music education would have the opportunity to do so," I have no doubt that if anyone can do it, Playing for Change and their Playing for Change Foundation can!

Jason Kidd Not Only Wins With The Mavericks, He Wins With The Kids.

Watching the NBA playoffs this week, I was reminded about an article I read a few years back about Jason Kidd. The article by AZcentral.com was about Jason purchasing a new home in Paradise Valley, Arizona.  Or was it?  I remember having mixed feelings and being a little confused on the purpose after reading it.  And reading it again.



Were they trying to inform me about his new high priced home, the abuse allegations and anger management classes from 7 years prior, his new contract $$ with the Dallas Mavericks, or his management company Boulevard Management and their high profile celebrity clients, including Shaquille O'Neil and Barbara Streisand?  Huh?



So what did I come away with?  Jason Kidd bought a huge, expensive home in Paradise Valley.  Remember Jason? He played for the local Phoenix Suns, maybe beat his wife, makes a lot of money, has a high profile management company, and has played on a few other basketball teams.  Oh, and he didn't want to comment on this article when we contacted him. Really?  I can't imagine why he wouldn't want to comment on all of that.



Let me be perfectly clear.  I DO NOT support or condone abuse of any kind and we partner with nonprofit organizations that help and empower survivors of domestic violence.  I do not know Jason or what happened in his marriage 10 years ago, but this is what I do know.



Jason Kidd started The Jason Kidd Foundation in 1996.  They provide homeless and underprivileged kids with tools they need to succeed through mentoring, tutoring, and technology programs.  Some of the organizations they support are Northern Light School, Vogel Alcove, and Kipp Truth Academy.  For every assist that he gives in the regular and post-season, he donates $100 to the Jason Kidd Foundation.  Jason received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award during his 2009-2010 season with the Dallas Mavericks for his charitable and philanthropic efforts in the community.



Jason, next time you're looking to buy or sell property, call us at Brokers for Charity.  The press may focus less on the crystal chandeliers, money you make, and past abuse allegations and more on the thousands of commission dollars going to The Jason Kidd Foundation and the causes you support.  Kudos to you, Jason on your philanthropy and congratulations on your NBA National Championship!

The Spark: Combining Real Estate and Giving To Nonprofit Organizations

If you see me at the grocery store, you will more often see me talking to myself rather than shopping for salad dressing.  "Ok, I need this and what about this and, oh that's right, don't forget, you can't forget this time..." ..you know… Add to the tornado of thoughts the addition of something I don't normally shop for: salad dressing.  I can never make salad like I order in the restaurant, so I just don't do it. But, for some reason on this day I was looking for Italian dressing and had no clue was was "good" dressing.  Being the overly analytical shopper that I am, I started looking at labels, carbs, blah, blah, blah and noticed that Newman's Own donated their profits to charity.  So I threw it in my cart, and figured that if anyone complained I could chalk it up to the greater giving good and that would shut them up!  I continued to talk to myself, but then realized that I was also skipping with a huge smile while pushing my cart.  SO not a good combo while talking to yourself at the grocery store.  Noticing that there could be a potential issue with the local police pepartment, I stopped to re-group.

Why the skipping?  I'm much more of a tomboy than a skipper!  How cool that I could buy something and it gave back.  Pick A and they keep all the profits and pick B and WOW, look, I may have saved a whole country…..start skipping!!!!  Ok, so I must admit that following my euphoria of my dressing purchase I got a bit pissed that there weren't more ways I could give back.  Probably not a great word to use if you're starting a new company, which I didn't know I was.  I wondered why I couldn't do this everywhere I shopped?  That's just WRONG!

So like a bullhorn over the loud speaker in the store, I hear my dad saying at my frustrastion "you don't have the right to bitch about it if you're not willing to do something to change it." And again, he was right!

And so it goes after years and lawyers, and tigers and bears, with every real estate transaction in the US and Canada, 10% can to your favorite nonprofit!

So back to Dad's voice in my head, "put up, or shut-up."  I've never been so good at the shut-up, so now we have Brokers for Charity.