A reader updates us on a project we have highlighted before:
Glad the new business is up and running and seemingly successful so far. I wanted to share with you a story that is worth sharing with your readers. I don’t know if you’re familiar with Humans of New York. It is a Tumblr and Facebook page with over half a million followers. The page is full of photos taken by photographer Brandon Stanton. He takes portraits of New Yorkers and tells a snippet about them. The photos are often interesting and sometimes beautiful, and the stories range from sweet to sad to uninformative.
Brandon used his following to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Hurricane Sandy relief. (His photos of the ruins were heartbreaking.) This week, Brandon discovered that DKNY (Donna Karan clothing stores) used his photos in their Hong Kong window displays without his permission. In fact, he had turned them down when they asked. Instead of suing, he asked them publicly to donate $100,000 to the YMCA of Bed-Stuy, which would send 300 inner city kids to summer camp for 2 weeks each. DKNY donated $25,000 in Brandon’s name, and Brandon was pleased (but his fans were still irate at DKNY and let them know it). Brandon has channeled his fans’ energy into a fundraiser and he is now trying to raise the $75,000 Donna Karan wouldn’t donate from his followers.
He is nearly broke, but he has an incredible generosity which should be recognized, commended and supported. His Facebook page has the full story and a link to his fundraiser, which has now brought in over $45,000 for the YMCA. Please share his story of his followers vs Goliath – and look at his photos, which could make great “Face of the Day” candidates. He reminds me of you in spirit and in the way he is firmly supported by a devoted Internet family. I wish both of you great success.
(Photo by Brandon Stanton: “If this guy doesn’t make you smile, I can’t help you.”)
