So, what’s Humanity Stoked, anyway?
Humanity Stoked Is Skateboard Documentary Unlike Anything Ever Seen Before
It’s an exploration into the challenges of moving humanity forward, as seen through the eyes of the world’s most iconic professional skaters, activists, scientists, artists, musicians, and educators, all of whom share unique experiences and perspectives shaped by their love of skateboarding.
It’s a philanthropic journey as told through luminaries and thought-leaders memorializing their personal stories, passions, perspectives and their connections to skateboarding, humanity, philanthropy, arts and sciences, music, human rights, LGBTQ rights, environmental issues, politics, and more, all while raising awareness and money to help make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Let’s Understand Philanthropy & Humanity
Philanthropy: (from Greek φιλανθρωπία) means etymologically, the love of humanity, in the sense of caring, nourishing, developing, and enhancing what it means to be human.
“Over time, the connotative shift of the word ‘philanthropy’ towards money, not to mention great wealth, has taken it out of reach for most people, whom as a result, have never even considered incorporating philanthropy into their lives. The ripple effect robs humanity of so much love at a time when it needs it most. It’s about connecting more, and caring more about the world all around us.”
~ Michael Ien Cohen, Founder, the WhatStopsYou.org Foundation
Luminaries / Leaders, Riders, Cast and Crew
Tony Hawk
Pro Skateboarder | Skateboarding Hall of Fame
Humanitarian | Founder, Tony Hawk Foundation
Skateboarding legend, pioneer, award winner
Considered the most influential skateboarder of all time
Born: Carlsbad, CA | Based: Carlsbad, CA
Bob Burnquist
Pro Skateboarder | Skateboarding Hall of Fame
Skydiver | Pilot | BASE Jumper | Industry innovator
X Games Champion | Multiple award winner
Dreamland – Mega Ramp designer / Owner
Born: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Based: Vista, CA
Lizzie Armanto
Pro Skateboarder | Multiple X Games medal winner
1st woman to successfully skate The Loop, 360-degree ramp
Winner, Van Doren Invitational 2014
Sponsored by Vans, Monster, Birdhouse, Bones Swiss & more
Born: Santa Monica, CA | Based: Oceanside, CA
Paul Rodriguez
Pro Skateboarder | Multiple X Games gold medal winner
1st place – Street League comp series for 4 years
Entrepreneur, First skater to have their own Nike Shoe
Sponsored by Nike, Primitive, Venture, Glassy and more
Born: Tarzana, CA | Based: Northridge, CA
Nyjah Huston
Pro Skateboarder | Multiple X Games medal winner
1st place – Street League comp series for 6 years
Sponsored by Nike, Monster Energy & more
Co-Founder, Let It Flow, water charity
Born: Davis, CA | Based: Laguna Beach, CA
Vanessa Torres
Pro Skateboarder | Multiple X Games medal winner
1st female X Games Gold medal winner
Sponsored by Meow Skateboards,
Featured in 2017’s ““Quit Your Day Job”
Born: Anaheim, CA | Based: Los Angeles, CA
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Astrophysicist | Author | Host | Educator
Time’s “100 most influential persons in the world”
Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium
at the American Museum of Natural History
Born: New York, NY | Based: New York, NY
Chad Muska
Pro Skateboarder | Artist | Entrepreneur
Music Producer | Founder Ghetto Child & Factory413
One of SKATEboarding Magazine’s most influential skaters
Sponsored by Supra, Element, Brooklyn Projects & Ghetto Child
Born: Lorain, OH | Los Angeles, CA
Shepard Fairey
Artist | Activist | Philanthropist
Entrepreneur | Humanist | Graphic Designer
World Renowned Street Artist / Activist
Born: Charlston, SC | Based: Los Angles, CA
Brian Anderson
Pro Skateboarder | LGBTQ Activist | Artist
Thrasher Magazine’s Skater of the Year 1999, Entrepreneur
!st Place, World Cup of Skateboarding 1999, Germany
Sponsored by Anti Hero. Nike SB, Independent, Bones, more
Born: Groton, CT | Queens, NY
Boo Johnson
Pro Skateboarder | Entrepreneur
Founder/President Just Have Fun Co.
Sponsored by Diamond Supply, JHF Co., Bones Wheels, more
Born: Tehachapi, CA, | Based: Long Beach, CA
Tyshawn Jones
Pro Skateboarder | Entrepreneur
Thrasher Magazine’s Skater of the Year 2018
Founder, Taste So Good Restaurant
Sponsored by Adidas, Supreme, Hardies Hardware, more
Born: Bronx, NY| New York, NY
Alec Beck
Pro Skateboarder for Birdhouse | Skateboard Advocate
Programs Manager, Tony Hawk Foundation
Host, Cars of Skateboarding on RIDE Channel
Born: Milky Way Galaxy | Based: Vista, CA
Christian Hosoi
Pro Skateboarder | Ordained Pastor
Author | Inspirational Public Speaker
Skateboarding Hall of Fame Inductee
Born: Los Angeles, CA | Based: Huntington Beach, CA
Tony Alva
Pro Skateboarder | Musician, Surfer
Entrepreneur, Original Z-Boys Member
Vert Pioneer | Skateboarding Hall of Fame Inductee
Born: Santa Monica, CA | Based: Santa Monica, CA
Steve Olson
Pro Skateboarder | Skateboarding Hall of Fame
Iconic vertical and Slalom skateboard champion
Surfer, Athlete, Musician, art therapy proponent
World renowned artist, sculptor, humanist
Born: Long Beach, CA | Based: Long Beach, CA
Peggy Oki
Only Female Member of the Iconic Zephyr Skateboard Team
Surfer | Activist | Public Speaker | Artist | Educator
Founder & Director of the Origami Whales Project
Born: Los Angeles, CA | Based: Santa Barbara, CA
Sebo Walker
Pro Skateboarder | Artist | Entrepreneur
Muralist | Painter
Co-founder, Walker Brothers Co.
Sponsored by Krooked, DLX, Spitfire, Bones Swiss, Nixon, more
Born: Salem, OR | Based: Venice, CA
Amelia Brodka
Pro Skateboarder | Documentary Filmmaker | Writer
Founder/Event Coordinator – nonprofit EXPOSURE Skate
Born: Leżajsk, Poland | Based: Vista, CA
Cara-Beth Burnside
Pro Skateboarder | Summer & Winter X Games medal winner
Co-Founder: The Alliance, Hoopla Skateboards &
Women’s Skateboard Alliance (WSA)
Member of 1st USA Olympic Snowboard Team
Born: Orange, CA | Based: Oceanside, CA
Valeria Kechichian
Longboard Girls Crew Co-Founder & CEO
Humanitarian: “The Shift” visionary & leader, Skateboarder
Professional Speaker: TEDx, EuroSIMA, ISPO & more
Born: Buenos Aires, Argentina | Based: Spain
Courtney Payne-Taylor
Founder, GRO – Girls Riders Organization, Inc.
Recipient TOYOTA / ESPN Everyday Heroes Award
Inspirational speaker / educator, Skateboarder
Born: Brooklyn, NY | Based: Brooklyn, NY
Bam Margera
Pro skateboarder | Television personality
Stunt performer | Actor | Filmmaker
‘Jackass: The Film’ series
Born: West Chester, PA | Based: Pocopson, PA
Brandon Novak
Author | Actor | Stunt Performer
National Business Dev. | Banyan Treatment Center
Public Speaker | Licensed Interventionist
Born: Baltimore, MD | Based: Philadelphia, PA
José González
Guitarist, Song Writer, Singer
Solo artist and member of award wining band, Junip
Musical force behind the Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Three time Grammy nominated artist
Born: Gothenburg, Sweden | Based: Gothenburg, Sweden
Ray Barbee
Professional Skater | Professional Photographer
Professional Musician / Multi-instrumentalist
Transworld Magazine Legend Award Recipient
Born: San Jose, CA | Based: Long Beach, CA
Tommy Guerrero
Pro Skater | Skateboarding Hall of Fame
Professional Musician / Transworld “Legend” award
Street skating pioneer | Bones Brigade Member
Born: San Francisco, CA | Based: San Francisco, CA
Chuck Treece
Iconic pro skater – Renowned session musician
Founder, Skate-Punk band, McRad
Prestigious Pew Fellowship in the Arts awardee
First African-American to make the cover of Thrasher
Born: Newark, DE | Based: Philadelphia, PA
Jason Moran
American jazz pianist, composer and educator
Scored the award winning movie “Selma”
Kennedy Center musical adviser for jazz
USA Prudential Fellow and MacArthur Fellow
Born: Huston, TX | Based: New York, NY
Arturo O’Farrill
Five time Grammy award-winning Afro-Latin Jazz Composer,
Pianist, Bandleader, Philanthropist
Founder: The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance
Born: Mexico City, Mexico | Based: New York, NY
Ben Jaffee
Creative director , Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Band awarded SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award
Band awarded the National Medal of Arts Medal
Band awarded the NAACP image award
Born: New Orleans, LA | Based: New Orleans, LA
Jess Margera
Skateboarder | Musician
Drummer | Founding Member, CKY
Born: West Chester, PA | Based: West Chester, PA
Ray LeVier
Profesional Drummer | Composer | Singer
Music Producer | Inspirational Speaker
Appeared on Oprah TLC, Nat Geo, NBC, CBS, Fox
Born: Ridgewood, NJ | Based: Nyack, NY
Ron Gallo
Guitarist, Song Writer, Singer
New Release “Heavy Meta” on New West Records
Born: Philadelphia, PA | Based: Nashville, TN
Steven Sandifer
Musician, Drummer, Percussionist, Bassist
Solo artist and member of Dangermuffin
Born: James Island, SC | Based: Charleston, SC
Chris Koch
Co-Founder and inspirational force behind “If I Can” (ifican.ca)
Inspirational public speaker | TEDx, TV and Radio
Humanitarian, marathoner, world traveler
Born: Nanton, Canada | Based: Calgary, Canada
Jerry “Zoolander” Diaz
Top ranked profesional WCMX rider
Metal fabrication artist
Inspirational speaker | Cure advocate
Born: Puerto Rico | Based: Orlando, FL
Rob Machado
Pro Surfer | Musician | Humanitarian
Surfers Hall of Fame Inductee
Winner, Hawaii’s Pipeline Masters & US Open
Founder, Rob Machado Foundation
Born: Sydney, Australia | Based: San Diego, CA
Jon Rose
Pro Surfer | Humanitarian
Founder, Waves For Water
United Nations Partner | Skateboarder
Born: Golden, CO | Based: Topanga, CA
Tatiana Weston-Webb
Pro Surfer | Humanitarian
2016 WSL Championship Tour US Open event Winner
2015 World Surf League’s Rookie of the Year
2013 and 2014 ISA World Junior Champion
Supporter, Changing Tides Foundation
Born: Porto Alegre, Brazil | Hanalei, Hawaii
Jeff Clark
The first to surf the giant waves at Mavericks
Mavericks competition Founder
Inspirational public speaker | Surfboard designer
Recognized as one of the worlds best big wave riders
Born: Redwood City, CA | Based: Half Moon Bay, CA
Dani Burt
Pro Adaptive Surfer | Above knee Amputee
2017 ISA World Adaptive Surfing Champion
Doctor of Physical Therapy | Public Speaker
Born: Anaheim, CA | Based: San Dieago, CA
Cori Schumacher
Visionary Carlsbad City Councilwoman
2018 Carlsbad, CA Mayoral Candidate
Environmental & Human Rights Activist
Co-Founder, The Inspire Initiative non-profit
Three-time Women’s World Longboard Champion
Born: Huntington Beach, CA | Based: Carlsbad, CA
Barry Goldwater Jr.
Former Republican Congressman
Chairman of TUSK (pro solar advocacy group)
Pro LGBTQ equality and Environmental Protection
Entrepreneur | Public Speaker
Born: Scottsdale, AZ | Based: Scottsdale, AZ
Israel ‘IZZY’ Dejene
Founder of Megabiskate in Ethopia
Inspirational speaker | TedX | Musician
Global Citizen “From Africa with Love” award winner
Born: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Based: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Yash Presswalla
Impact Skateboard Club – Founder & Executive Director
Activist | Educator | Musician
Urban Hero Award Winner
Born: Bombay, India | Based: Toronto, Canada
Oliver Percovich
Inspirational Public Speaker | Activist | Educator
Founder & Executive Director of Skateistan
Advisor to the president of the Afghan Olympic Committee
Born: Melbourne, Australia | Based: Berlin, Germany
Steve Larosiliere
Inspirational Public Speaker | Activist | Educator
Entrepreneur | Founder & President Stoked.org
Named Social Entrepreneur of the Year by the National Black MBA
Born: Melbourne, Australia | Based: Berlin, Germany
Dr. Adrian Lenardic, Ph.D
Professor of Geophysics, Rice University | Director of Sk8LabHouston
National Science Foundation Career Recipient
University of California Presidents PostDoctoral Fellow
UNLV Speaker: Tectonics, Climate, and Planetary Life Potential, Skateboarder
Born: Zagreb, Croatia | Based: Houston, TX
Garrett Lisi, Ph.D
Theoretical Physicist | Surfer
Director, Pacific Science Institute
Adventure Sports Enthusiast, Skateboarder
Born: San Diego, CA | Based: Maui, HI
Andrew Huberman, Ph.D
Professor of Neuroscience at Stanford
Neuroscientist | Educator | Author | Speaker
Winner of the Cogan Award at age 40
Director, Huberman Lab
Born: Palo Alto, CA | Based: Palo Alto, CA
Hamish Brewer
Award Winning Principal | Speaker | Maverick
The ‘Relentless Principal’, Educational Disruptor, Change Agent
Internationally Known – ‘The Skateboarding, Tattooed Principal’
Founder: Relentless Learning | Turn Around Principal
Born: Wellington, New Zealand / Based: Washington DC
Gary Ream
Chairman, Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission
Chairman, World Skate Skateboarding Commission
Founder, Camp Woodward | Humanitarian
Born: Centre County, PA | Based: Rivera Beach , FL
Steve Van Doren
Vice President, Van’s
Disaster relief Philanthropist
Skate and surf apparel industry icon
Born: Quincy, MA | Based: Fullerton, CA
Wing Lam
Co-founded Wahoo Fish Tacos
Inspirational public speaker | Philanthropist
Surfer, Snowboarder, Skater
Born: Sao Paulo, Brazil | Based: Costa Mesa, CA
Robert Brink
Host, Writer & Co-Producer, Weekend Buzz
Contributing Writer, Playboy
Director of Content, Social Media & Digital Marketing
Founder/Owner: The Hundredth Acre
Born: Bloomfield, NJ | Laguna Beach, CA
Don Tashmen
Founder of Loaded Boards | Founder of Orangatang Wheels
Socially conscious entrepreneur and humanitarian
Born: Los Angeles, CA | Based: Los Angeles, CA
Micaela Ramirez
Founder/President of the Poseiden Foundation
“Dream Weaver” I AM HUMAN Inspire & leader
Board Member, USA Skateboarding Olympic committee
Female empowerment advocate and activist
Born: Camp Pendleton, CA | Based: North County, CA
Peter Shapiro
Entrepreneur, Producer, Filmmaker
Humanitarian, Concert Promoter
Owner: Brooklyn Bowl, The Capital Theater, Relix Magazine
Born: New York, NY | Based: New York, NY
Yasmeen “Yaz” Wilkerson
Community Leader & Coordinator | Skateboarder | Model
Musician | Traveling Inspirational Speaker & Influencer
Research Coordinator, Skateboarding Non-Profit Harold Hunter Foundation
Born: New York, NY | Based: NYC
Yulin Olliver
Founder of CEO of the Yunexis Agency
Entrepreneur, Athlete Agent and Advocate
Rep for the world’s top female pro skateboarders
Former exec at X Games, FUEL TV and Fox Sports
Born: Boston, MA | Based: Los Angeles, CA
Kava Vasquez
Skateboarder | Writer | Public Speaker
Technologist | Budding Herbalist
Founder of Meninanda (Girl Skate Mozambique)
Born: New York, NY | Based: New York, NY | Age 26
Skate Moss (Victoria Taylor)
Entrepreneur, Fashion Designer, Model
Social Media Influencer | Student
Sponsors: Puma, Sovrn, Dickies Girl
Born: Salt Lake City, UT | Based: Los Angeles, CA
Carson Kropfl
Student, entrepreneur, inspirational speaker
Founder of Locker Board
Winner on SharkTank deal with Sir Richard Branson
Born: San Clemente, CA | Based: San Clemente, CA
Matthias Giraud
Professional Skier & B.A.S.E jumper
First person to Ski B.A.S.E jump off the Matterhorn
Inspirational Public Speaker | AKA “Super Frenchie!”
Born: Evreux, France | Based: Bend, OR
Ian Parkinson
Inspirational Public Speaker | Veteran | Amputee
Lost legs to an Improvised Explosive Device, Afghanistan.
Born: Danville, CA | Based: Phoenix, AZ
Justin Bishop
Inspirational Public Speaker | Blind Skater
Helped Develop Sonic Localization Technology
w/Not Impossible Labs and Zappos to help blind skaters
Born: Las Vegas, NV | Based: Las Vegas, NV
April Margera
Entrepreneur | Author | TV Personality
Cast: Viva La Bam, Jackass, CKY videos, Bam’s Unholy Union.
Co-founder, Rose Hip Barn home goods
Born: Glen Mills, PA | Based: Thornton, PA
Kelle Huston
Chief Operating Officer, Nyjah Huston, Inc.
Manager – Top ranked pro skater Nyjah Huston
Founder – Let It Flow organization for clean water
Born: Los Angeles, CA | Based: Laguna Beach, CA
Cody Barker
Founder, 12 Step Giving organization for addiction recovery
Project Coordinator – Let It Flow organization for clean water, Skateboarder
Born: Los Angeles, CA | Based: Los Angeles, CA
Kelly Wiglesworth
Adventure Travel / Class V River Guide | Surfer
Humanitarian | Advocate for Friends of the River organization
Runner-up CBS Survivor S:1 Borneo | TV Host, Writer
Born: Greensboro, NC | Based: The World
Crys Worley
Founder, A.skate
(Autism. Skating with Kids through Acceptance,Therapy, & Education)
Subject of HeartChild documentary.
Featured in Vans Pass the Bucket
Born: Woodstock, AL | Based: Homewood, AL
Robin Eisenberg
Artist | Animator
Entrepreneur | Speaker
Collaborator with Vans, Thrasher, Fender, Adult Swim
Born: Los Angeles, CA | Based: Los Angeles, CA
Sket One
World famous Modern Neo-Pop Artist / Designer
Global philanthropic collaborator | Speaker
Stoked.org/Zooyork fundraiser board designer
Born: New Haven, CT | Based: Long Beach, CA
Chris Dyer
World famous skate artist and muralist
Author, Film Maker, Teacher, Speaker, Spiritualist, Skateboarder
Born: Lima, Peru | Based: Montreal, Canada
Calleigh Little
#1 female distance skateboarder in the USA
Skating record setting 3000+ mile cross country journey
Openly transgender professional skateboarder
Born: Boston, MA | Based: Traveler
Rene Lecour
Founder Amigo Skate Support Organization
Veteran Hip Hop DJ Rene “Sugar” Lecour, Skateboarder
Born: New York, NY | Based: Miami, FL
Cory Wilder
Skater | Surfer | Snowboarder | Dancer
Fitness and Life Coach / Mentoring
Born: Boston, MA | Based: Huntington, NY
Michael Brooke
Founder, Longboarding for Peace | Publisher – Concrete Wave Magazine
Author – The Concrete Wave (the History of Skateboarding), Skateboarder
Born: Leeds, United Kingdom | Based: Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
Adam Abel
Filmmaker, Artist, and Activist | Co-Founder of SkateQilya –
co-ed youth empowerment skate program in Palestine, Skateboarder
Adam: Born: Wilmington, DE | Based: New York, NY
Glen E. Friedman
Iconic Skateboard, Punk & Hip Hop Photographer
Artist | Activist | Humanist | Author | Director
Born: North Carolina | Based: New York, NY
Michael Muller
World Renowned Celebrity, Advertising & Fashion Photographer
Artist | Activist | Philanthropist | Director | Inventor
Shark documentary and activist
Born: California | Based: Los Angeles, CA
Charlie Samuels
Award winning Director and Photojournalist
Director of Virgin Blacktop documentary film
Contributor to The NY Times, Concrete Wave, Sports Illustrated & more
Images used by Supreme, Vans, Burton and more
Born: Piermont, NY | Based: Saratoga Springs , NY
Dr. Isaac Farin, Ph.D, LMFT
Licensed Psychotherapist | Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
Developer of Longboard Therapy® featured on ABC News,
The Miami Herald, Red Book, Concrete Wave, and more, Skateboarder
Born: Miami, Fl | Based: Aventura, FL
Dr. Bryan Conroy, Ph.D
Senior Research Scientist for a large healthcare technology co.
Princeton University and Adj. Professor, Signal Processing –
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Born: Long Island, NY | Based: Long Island, NY
Zoe Herishen
Student, Activist, Speaker, Member of GRO (Girls Rider Organization)
Skater in Revlon’s “Girls who slay” national ad campaign,
Born: Bergen County NJ | Based: Bergen County NY
~ A beautiful thing ~
In the spirit of the film and its important mission, the entire Humanity Stoked Crew/Production team works for free. All of their time, talent, and even equipment is provided without cost because they support the selfless mission to help inspire people and affect positive change in the word, for the benefit of humanity. (well, that and their love of skateboarding and surfing too!) Like the film itself, we hope that inspires you already. Much love to all!
Director and Primary Crew
Michael Ien Cohen
Writer, Director, Producer, Narrator
Cinematographer | Aerial Cinematographer
Filmmaker | Entrepreneur | Philanthropist
Software developer | Graphic Designer | Skateboarder
Born: Brooklyn, NY | Based: Long Island, NY
Ian Gibson
Director of Photography | Editor | Colorist
Award Winning Director of Photography
Colorist | Screenwriter | Producer | Skateboarder
Born : Milwaukee, WI | Based: Los Angeles, CA
Nick Lang
Director of Photography | Aerial Cinematographer
Award-winning Cinematographer | DP | Editor, Skateboarder
Born: Pittsburgh, PA | Based: Philadelphia, PA
Audio Department
Thor Legvold
Re-recording Mixer
Mastering Engineer | Audio Editing | Atmos Mixing
Surround & Immersive Audio Specialist | Post-Production Engineer | Surfer | Skater
Based: Los Angeles, CA & Stavanger, Norway
Rene Gonzalez Slizewski
Composer
Music Producer | Multi-Instrumentalist
Born: Stockholm, Sweden | Based: Los Angeles, CA
Secondary Crew
Bret Walker
Cinematographer
DP | Aerial Cinematographer | DP | Producer
Award winning Director | Skier | Surfer
Born: Long Beach, CA | Based: LA, Denver, Las Vegas
Ben Zion Jackson
Cinematographer
Cinematographer| Skateboarder | Surfer
Director of River’s End Documentary
Born: Laramie, WY | Based: Montreal QC
Joel Young
Cinematographer | Motion Graphics
DP | Aerial Cinematographer | DP | Producer
Visual Effects Artist | Motion Designer | Animator
Cinematographer | Photographer | Lighting Director
Born: Wilmington, DE | Based: Atlanta, GA
Trevor Hoover
1st AC
DP | Award winning Director | Writer
Born: Alexandria, VA | Based: Brooklyn, NY
Additional Crew
Johnny Coughlin
Cinematographer
Editor | Writer | Director
Projects for FOX, Disney, PBS, Anheuser-Busch
Born: Reading, PA | Based: New York, NY
Honzo Smilek
Camera Operator
Cinematographer | Camera Operator | Screenwriter
Skateboarder | Projects Sirius XM Radio Inc.& Bird’s Nest
Born: Boca Raton, FL | Based: Los Angeles, CA
Adam Kure
Motion Graphics
Filmmaker | Editor | Multi-Media Designer
Artist | Skateboarder
Born: Cleveland, OH | Based: San Diego, CA
Julian Garofalo
Cinematographer
Cinematographer| DP | Photographer | Graphic Designer
Born: Montreal QC, Canada | Based: Montreal QC, Canada
Justin Lenoir
Movie Trailer Re-recording Mixer | Sound Editor
Mixing Engineer, Mastering Engineer
Producer | Drummer | Skateboarder
Born: Los Angeles, CA | Based: Los Angeles, CA
Joe Sears
Audio Engineer
Pro Tools Instructor, Musician | Producer
Born: Brooklyn, NY | Based: Long Island, NY
Simi Friedman
Photographer | Production Assistant
Born: Brooklyn, NY | Based: Brooklyn, NY
Marketing and Promotion
Zane Foley
Publicist / PR Specialist
Writer | Journalist | Skateboarder
Born: Los Angeles, CA || Based: Los Angeles, CA
Bogdan Dzyurak
Digital Marketing Director
Social Expert | Owner of Manhattan Made Marketing
Owner of Gnarmads | Skateboarder | Long Distance cyclist
Born: Kiev, Ukraine | Based: NYC / Barcelona, Spain
Isaiah Johnson
B-Roll Coordinator
Pro Skateboarder for Pruno
Skate Video Maker | Editor
Born: Vancouver, Canada | Based: San Diego, CA
Michelle Storm
PR / Press Coordinator
Videographer | Philanthropist Owner of Storm Athletic Photography
and Storm Equine Photography
Born: San Diego, CA / Based: San Diego, CA
Humanity Stoked is currently in Post-Production
Why Support the Arts, Sciences, and Human Rights?
Arts promote true prosperity.
The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us—fostering creativity, goodness, and beauty. The arts help us express our values, build bridges between cultures, and bring us together regardless of ethnicity, religion, or age. When times are tough, art is salve for the ache.
Arts strengthen the economy.
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that the arts and culture sector represents 3.25 percent of the nation’s GDP—a larger share of the economy than tourism and agriculture. The nonprofit arts industry alone generates $135 billion in economic activity annually (spending by organizations and their audiences) that supports 4.1 million jobs and generates $22.3 billion in government revenue.
Science Teaches Children To Identify And Solve Problems.
Arts spark creativity and innovation.
The Conference Board reports that creativity is among the top 5 applied skills sought by business leaders—with 72 percent saying creativity is of high importance when hiring. The biggest creativity indicator? A college arts degree. Their Ready to Innovate report concludes, “The arts—music, creative writing, drawing, dance—provide skills sought by employers of the 3rd millennium.” Nobel laureates in the sciences are 17 times more likely to be actively engaged in the arts than average scientists.
Arts improve healthcare.
Nearly one-half of the nation’s healthcare institutions provide arts programming for patients, families, and even staff. 78 percent deliver these programs because of their healing benefits to patients—shorter hospital stays, better pain management, and less medication.
Arts improve academic performance.
Students with an education rich in the arts have higher GPAs and standardized test scores, and lower drop-out rates—benefits reaped by students regardless of socio-economic status. Students with 4 years of arts or music in high school average 100 points better on their SAT scores than students with just one-half year of arts or music.
Civil rights is basic human dignity.
Civil rights and human rights have always been intertwined. At the heart of the civil rights movement is the basic human dignity of all people and their right to live in freedom and with justice and equal opportunity. In this global age, national borders are becoming ever more porous. The interdependency of the world’s people is growing exponentially. Events in other parts of the world related to the economy, environment, workers rights, etc. affect all of us.
Arts are an export industry.
U.S. exports of arts goods (e.g., movies, paintings, jewelry) grew to $72 billion in 2011, while imports were just $25 billion—a $47 billion arts trade surplus.
Arts have social impact.
Nearly one-half of the nation’s healthcare institutions provide arts programming for patients, families, and even staff. 78 percent deliver these programs because of their healing benefits to patients—shorter hospital stays, better pain management, and less medication.
Arts mean business.
The Creative Industries are arts businesses that range from nonprofit museums, symphonies, and theaters to for-profit film, architecture, and design companies. A 2014 analysis of Dun & Bradstreet data counts 750,453 businesses in the U.S. involved in the creation or distribution of the arts that employ 3.1 million people—representing 4.2 percent of all businesses and 2.2 percent of all employees, respectively. (Download a free Creative Industry report for your local community.)
Let’s Understand Philanthropy and Humanity
Philanthropy: (from Greek φιλανθρωπία) means etymologically, the love of humanity, in the sense of caring, nourishing, developing, and enhancing what it means to be human.
Humanity Stoked is a 100% non-profit film, produced by the WhatStopsYou.org Foundation, a 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to helping people live more fulfilling, philanthropic lives, while raising money and awareness for causes that help move humanity forward in positive and more creative ways.
Humanity Stoked is being produced to help promote awareness and raise funds to benefit humanity through fields of science, art, music, history, LGBTQ rights, environmental issues, politics, and legal issues.
100% of the film’s REVENUE goes to charity
That’s right, all the revenue (not just profit) goes to charity. What’s more, we’re experts at making films without waste, and so more money goes to the causes we support! How do we do that? First and foremost, the people involved in our film have a love and a passion for their causes and the advancement of humanity worldwide. That means everyone from the cast and crew are offering their time, talent, and love pro bono, thus eliminating waste at every turn.
That makes us feel good and we hope you feel good about it, too.
Do your part and support the causes by making a donation now through our WhatStopsYou.org Foundation (501c3)
…or find out what’s stopping you, and take the first step at WhatStopsYou.org
Supporters
Gold – Footage/Photos Supporters
~ PLATINUM LEVEL SUPPORTERS ~
The following companies have generously provided us with an unparalleled level of support in multiple areas that have made the production of Humanity Stoked possible.
~ GOLD LEVEL – LICENSED VIDEO/FOOTAGE SUPPORTERS ~
The following companies and people have generously donated licenses to use award winning archival video footage, and other related services in the Humanity Stoked documentary free of charge.
~ GOLD LEVEL – LICENSED MUSIC SUPPORTERS ~
The following companies and people have generously donated licenses to use award winning music, and other related services in the Humanity Stoked documentary free of charge.
~ GOLD LEVEL – FILMING LOCATION SUPPORTERS ~
The following companies have opened their doors and allowed us to film both interviews and B-Roll for Humanity Stoked in their unique and interesting locations free of charge. We would also like to thank the many dozens Humanity Stoked cast members who have graciously invited us in to their own homes to film their interviews.
~ GOLD LEVEL ~ PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTERS ~
The following companies have generously provided us with critically important hardware and software used to make both production and post-production of Humanity Stoked possible.
~ SILVER LEVEL SUPPORTERS ~
The following companies have generously provided us with in-kind products and services.
Marketing & Advertising
Have a product or service that may align well with our film?
email us at humanitystoked (AT) whatstopsyou.org to explore synergy and possibilities.
Contact Us
If you would like to get in touch with us, please email inquires to HumanityStoked (AT) WhatStopsYou.org