Meet WJM, the world’s youngest social impact rock band. I saw them perform at the first TEDxUNPlaza event at the United Nations in September but they also performed at the San Francisco’s Fourth of July Celebration. Yes, you got it! The July event was headlined by a rock band of 10 year-old boys.
WJM is no ordinary band! William, Jeremy, and Max are three California fifth graders that have turned their love of music into an instrument for change. Every dollar from WJM’s performances has gone to support children’s charities such as Second Harvest Food Bank, Camp Okizu, San Francisco Firefighters Toys Program, the Bridge School and St. Baldrick’s.
William has two dogs and loves lobster! When he isn’t singing or listening to ROCK music, he enjoys strategy games like Chess & Cards, as well as making humorous comic strips & staying active with Tai Kwon Do! His favorite singers are Bono and Robert Plant & his favorite band is U2. Reaching out to kids in need around the holidays is extremely important to William, and he participates in toy drives with SF Firefighters Toy Program and The Marine Toys For Tots Foundation.
Jeremy loves noodles and spending time with his puppy! When he isn’t Shredding or watching music videos, he’s surfing or hosting Youth Texas Hold ‘Em Tournaments. Jeremy plays year round sports, including Football and Baseball. Eddie Van Halen is his favorite guitar player, and he’s actually seen Van Halen LIVE!! The Riekes Center For Human Advancement is dear to Jeremy, and he volunteers there several times a week, playing music, sports, and games with wheelchair capable participants. He also looks forward to WJM’s partnership with Second Harvest Foodbank, helping to get food onto the tables of all kids in the Bay area!
Max loves BACON, THE OAKLAND A’S & his crazy cat named “Target.” When he’s not behind his kit or listening to music, he’s making funny movies, writing stories or drawing! Max also enjoys skating all around town with his brothers or buddies & leading his baseball team to victory! His favorite drummer is Jon Bonham, and his all-time favorite bands are Led Zeppelin & U2! Max is personally involved in raising awareness for kids with cancer and support for their families by participating in activities for Camp Okizu and St. Baldrick’s Foundation!
Photo credits: Renee Blodgett.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
