Hero #014: Johann Sebastian Bach … (05/20/16)

Born in 1685, Bach became one of the most famous composers & musicians of the Baroque period. He enriched established German styles through his skill in counterpoint, harmonic organization, and original adaptations of rhythm, form, and texture from others. To this day, his music is revered for its intellectual depth, technical command, and artistic beauty. […]

Hero #015: Bagel Jesus … (05/19/16)

It is not the “magnificent” or the “awesome” or the “incredible” deeds of Kindness that will save us, but rather a massive coming together of thousands of Loving acts “small” and “unassuming” and “insignificant”. So, what can you do to help save Humanity? What tiny act(s) of Goodness will you show the world today?  

Hero #016: Bai Fang Li … (05/18/16)

In 1987, Mr. Li retired from his pedicab driving job and returned to his village, where he saw many children working in the fields because they couldn’t afford education. At that time he was already 74 years old, and yet he decided to go back to his job anyway. And he did so until 2001, […]

Hero #017: Banksy … (05/17/16)

A pseudonymous United Kingdom-based graffiti artist & political activist, Banksy’s stencils feature striking and humorous images occasionally combined with clever slogans. His message is often anti-war, anti-capitalist &/or anti-establishment. Banksy beautifies & inspires for free — refusing to sell photographs or reproductions of his street art. “The greatest crimes in the world are not committed […]

Hero #018: Coleman Barks … (05/16/16)

Born in 1937, Barks is an American poet and former professor of literature at the University of Georgia. Although he neither speaks nor reads Persian, he is nonetheless renowned as a truly brilliant interpreter of Rumi, one of the more renowned Sufi poets of 13th century Persia. Barks makes frequent international appearances and is well […]

Hero #019: Moazzam Begg … (05/15/16)

Moazzam Begg is a British Pakistani who was held in extrajudicial detention by the U.S. government for nearly three years — first in the infamous Bagram Internment Facility, and then in the equally infamous Guantanamo Bay detainment camp.  In the former prison, Begg was abused by guards and witnessed two detainees beaten to death by […]

Hero #020: Thomas Berry … (05/14/16)

Thomas Berry was a cultural historian and ecotheologian (although “cosmologist” and “geologian” – or “Earth scholar” – were his preferred descriptors). Among advocates of “ecospirituality” , he is famous for proposing the idea that a deep understanding of the history and functioning of the evolving Universe is a necessary inspiration and guide for our own […]

Hero #021: Steven Biko … (05/13/16)

Born in 1946, Biko was an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa in the 1960’s & 1970’s. Early on he became a popular student leader and founded the Black Consciousness Movement, which empowered and mobilized much of the urban black population. He was famous for his slogan “Black is beautiful”, which he described as meaning: “You […]

Hero #022: Black Elk … (05/12/16)

Heȟáka Sápa (Black Elk) was a famous Oglala Lakota medicine man and heyoka who lived in the present-day United States, primarily on land currently known as South Dakota … While many historians and anthropologists remain intrigued by Black Elk’s profound visions &/or his portrayal of the Sioux way of life, it was his tendency towards […]

Hero #023: Bloom County (B. Breathed) … (05/11/16)

Born in 1957, Breathed is an American cartoonist, children’s book author & illustrator, screenwriter and animal rights supporter. He is best known for his truly brilliant comic strip “Bloom County”, which ran from 1980 to 1989, and often both cleverly & poignantly exposed or illuminated controversial sociopolitical issues as understood (or not so well understood) […]

Hero #024: Joel Boujassy … (05/10/16)

Joel was a French political/anti-political activist who worked for and with We Are Change Paris. More important than his dedicated protest work, however,was the simple yet profound way he gave to others. His humble yet courageous way of Kind Being is a model for us all. “I like to eat organic, and I do love […]