Sam Davidson
Sam Davidson motivates people to change the world. He is the co-founder and President of Cool People Care, a media and lifestyle company that connects people who want to make a difference with opportunities and resources to do so. In 2007, he published his first book, New Day Revolution: How to Save the World in 24 Hours. Sam currently works with The Climate Project and is launching a new initiative that mobilizes young people to help solve the climate crisis.The Harmony Republic Interview
Here is our exclusive Harmony Republic interview with Sam Davidson:
1. How did you come up with and develop CoolPeopleCare? What has the journey to develop such a venture been like for you? Any specific lessons learned?
CPC was born out of my experience in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors. I saw a need for NPs to connect with the next generation and I saw a movement - a swelling - of young people wanting to make a difference but needing practical ways to do so. CPC was a way to connect the two groups.
The journey to where we are today has been anything but expected. We continue to be surprised and amazed at the opportunities created. We're just along for the ride.
2. Where did the idea for your book "New Day Revolution" come about? What was the writing process like? What were some of the biggest challenges in completing the book? What have been some of the biggest rewards? What messages from your book have had the most impact on your readers and even yourself?
Writing a book was like nothing I'd done before. A lot of the content had been previously published online, so we supplemented that with in depth interviews with people who are working to change the world in a real and deep way. For me, that was one of the coolest parts - to get to speak with people big and small about their passions and desire to save the world.
Readers have like the simplicity and conversational tone to the book. We believe anyone can make a difference in a small and meaningful way, so we don't force change down peoples' throats. We understand that everyone has a lot going on in life, and we want to simply support people in their efforts to make the world a better place.
3. What do you see as the future of CoolPeopleCare? What do you see are the biggest opportunities yet to be tapped into regarding those that want to make a difference in their community?
We continue to help nonprofits focus on the future of their organization. The NP industry is large, employing 11% of the US workforce. But it's also nuanced. The challenges faced there are unique and we feel like we understand them and can help guide nonprofits into tomorrow by helping them understand new topics like social media, Gen Y, and digital branding.
4. You've recently started working with The Climate Project, helping to encourage students to combat climate change. What has that experience been like? Do you feel that the younger generation are becoming more receptive to issues regarding the environment?
The younger generations are ready to act when it comes to climate change. They see the local impact and want to do something about it. They're tired of waiting for us adults to do something while we talk about change. Teens are already leading when it comes to this issue and what we're doing is merely providing a framework to help their dreams and goals become reality.
5. You are very involved in the green movement in Nashville. What do you see are the biggest challenges and opportunities Nashville faces as the city grows and the need to address climate change becomes more apparent? How would you rate the city of Nashville in their efforts? Any specific recommendations the city should consider?
I love the city of Nashville, have called it home for over half my life, and hope to call it home until I die. I think certain pockets of Nashville are very green, but city-wide leadership has been lackluster. The real innovation is not coming from the top down (the Mayor's office) and is instead coming from groups like The Clean Water Project, Team Green, Envolve Strategies, Kilowatt Ours, Food Security Partners, and local farmer's markets. But, grassroots groups can only do so much. It will take a legislative act to improve the bus system, start a light rail project, encourage more recycling, and provide more public green spaces. Right now, city leadership is dragging its feet.
6. Any new writing projects currently in the works?
I'm toying with one, trying to provide a resource for people who want to discover their passions and talents and use them to make a difference. It's still in the planning stages but I think 2010 is the year I finally crank it out.
1. How did you come up with and develop CoolPeopleCare? What has the journey to develop such a venture been like for you? Any specific lessons learned?
CPC was born out of my experience in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors. I saw a need for NPs to connect with the next generation and I saw a movement - a swelling - of young people wanting to make a difference but needing practical ways to do so. CPC was a way to connect the two groups.
The journey to where we are today has been anything but expected. We continue to be surprised and amazed at the opportunities created. We're just along for the ride.
2. Where did the idea for your book "New Day Revolution" come about? What was the writing process like? What were some of the biggest challenges in completing the book? What have been some of the biggest rewards? What messages from your book have had the most impact on your readers and even yourself?
Writing a book was like nothing I'd done before. A lot of the content had been previously published online, so we supplemented that with in depth interviews with people who are working to change the world in a real and deep way. For me, that was one of the coolest parts - to get to speak with people big and small about their passions and desire to save the world.
Readers have like the simplicity and conversational tone to the book. We believe anyone can make a difference in a small and meaningful way, so we don't force change down peoples' throats. We understand that everyone has a lot going on in life, and we want to simply support people in their efforts to make the world a better place.
3. What do you see as the future of CoolPeopleCare? What do you see are the biggest opportunities yet to be tapped into regarding those that want to make a difference in their community?
We continue to help nonprofits focus on the future of their organization. The NP industry is large, employing 11% of the US workforce. But it's also nuanced. The challenges faced there are unique and we feel like we understand them and can help guide nonprofits into tomorrow by helping them understand new topics like social media, Gen Y, and digital branding.
4. You've recently started working with The Climate Project, helping to encourage students to combat climate change. What has that experience been like? Do you feel that the younger generation are becoming more receptive to issues regarding the environment?
The younger generations are ready to act when it comes to climate change. They see the local impact and want to do something about it. They're tired of waiting for us adults to do something while we talk about change. Teens are already leading when it comes to this issue and what we're doing is merely providing a framework to help their dreams and goals become reality.
5. You are very involved in the green movement in Nashville. What do you see are the biggest challenges and opportunities Nashville faces as the city grows and the need to address climate change becomes more apparent? How would you rate the city of Nashville in their efforts? Any specific recommendations the city should consider?
I love the city of Nashville, have called it home for over half my life, and hope to call it home until I die. I think certain pockets of Nashville are very green, but city-wide leadership has been lackluster. The real innovation is not coming from the top down (the Mayor's office) and is instead coming from groups like The Clean Water Project, Team Green, Envolve Strategies, Kilowatt Ours, Food Security Partners, and local farmer's markets. But, grassroots groups can only do so much. It will take a legislative act to improve the bus system, start a light rail project, encourage more recycling, and provide more public green spaces. Right now, city leadership is dragging its feet.
6. Any new writing projects currently in the works?
I'm toying with one, trying to provide a resource for people who want to discover their passions and talents and use them to make a difference. It's still in the planning stages but I think 2010 is the year I finally crank it out.
Read More. Get Involved.
Sam's Blog: Samdavidson.net
Sam's Book: New Day Revolution
Cool People Care: CoolPeopleCare.org
The Climate Project: TheClimateProject.org
Sam's Book: New Day Revolution
Cool People Care: CoolPeopleCare.org
The Climate Project: TheClimateProject.org