New York, NY (March 28, 2025) – The heart of New York City lit up with kindness as Gan Jing World hosted the #KindnessIsCool Video Awards Winners Celebration in Times Square. Content creators, schools, artists, VIP guests, and influencer ambassadors gathered to celebrate and spread the powerful message of kindness to a global audience. The event also marked the official launch of #KindnessIsCool 2025.
Gan Jing World, a New York-based digital platform, has cultivated a worldwide movement centered on kindness. Ben Hedges, Gan Jing World Ambassador and event host, introduced the Kindness Is Cool 2024 campaign, saying, “In 2024, over 26,000 acts of kindness were uploaded to the Gan Jing World platform as part of this competition. These acts, submitted from more than 50 countries worldwide, collectively garnered 10 million views on the platform.”
At 1 p.m., the Nasdaq billboard lit up with messages of kindness, showcasing the 14 global winners of the #KindnessIsCool Video Awards and 12 additional winners from the Taiwan edition of the contest, Kindness Lights Up Taiwan. Attendees cheered, and winners and distinguished guests stood together in celebration. (See winners announcement 1, 2)
Sherry Yin, CEO of Gan Jing World Corporation, warmly welcomed attendees and congratulated the winners, emphasizing the platform’s deep-rooted dedication to kindness. “Kindness is cool, and it’s at the heart of Gan Jing World’s mission. But choosing kindness isn't always easy. Many online platforms design their algorithms to keep users hooked for as long as possible to make advertising dollars—an easy path to take. Instead, we choose a different one, a path few are willing to take.”
Yin went on to showcase Gan Jing World’s innovative efforts to foster a safer and more meaningful online environment. “We built our proprietary ethic AI to promote online safety, meaningful content and user well being, because we recognize the dangers the online world poses to our kids and adults, from online addiction to mental health challenges,” she explained. "We're also building an encyclopedia-style content structure to provide experience similar to navigating a library, encouraging mindful exploration rather than passive consumption."
“The overwhelming success of ‘Kindness is Cool’ give us confidence—confidence that kindness is worth pioneering, that people want a better digital space. And together. we're making it a reality.”
Notable VIP attendees included Britney Dixon, representative of New York State Assembly Member Brian Cunningham (District 43), and the Honorable Minister Darrell J. Bennett, Leader of NGK and Founder of DJB Global Enterprises. Britney Dixon, chief of staff for Brian Cunningham, presented a New York State Assembly citation recognizing Gan Jing World’s kindness initiatives. She remarked, “We must act with kindness to empower others. It’s wonderful to support an initiative that promotes happiness, resourcefulness, and the encouragement that kindness brings.”
Top Prize Honors Hurricane Relief Effort
The $10,000 grand prize was awarded to James H. White for his moving video, “Hero in Uniform: Army Sergeant Leads Hurricane Helene Relief Drive.” The film tells the true story of Army Sgt. Michael Sharpes, who led a veteran-organized relief effort after Hurricane Helene’s devastation. White’s accompanying song, “Born to Rise,” celebrates the spirit of everyday heroes stepping up in times of crisis.
“As an artist, all you hope to do is create art that inspires and helps people. Gan Jing World is truly doing something positive for the world—bringing us all together and genuinely sharing this virtue of kindness, which has so much depth to it. It's about service. It's about being true to yourself. It's about thinking of others.”
James will share his $10,000 prize with Aerial Recovery, a non-profit organization which supports veterans and first responders in disaster relief and human trafficking rescue missions. Jeremy Locke, Co-founder & COO of Aerial Recovery, also attended the event. He noted, “There are a lot of distractions in this world. But if you do something as simple as being kind to someone, it's contagious… It uplifts and inspires people.”
“That's what Gan Jing World has been doing. No matter what adversity they face or how others try to challenge them for what they’re doing, they always find a way to continue inspiring, helping, and serving people around the world.”
Silver and Bronze Award Winners
The Silver Award went to Audrey Wang, a Gan Jing World content creator, for her short film “Old Shoes.” Based on a true story, the film follows a young woman who repeatedly finds an old pair of shoes outside her door, assuming they were left by her elderly neighbor—until she uncovers a quiet, unexpected act of kindness.
Boston-based Lumen Academy earned a Bronze Award for their “Umbrella of Kindness” project, created by third- and fourth-grade students. School founder Rita Dunn, joined by students featured in the winning video, attended the ceremony. She thanked Gan Jing World’s Kindness Is Cool initiative for giving their students the opportunity to reflect on kindness.
“The outcome was that they came up with an entire array of kindness ideas, which then became a kindness essay, a kindness poster, and kindness videos. And it has truly become the culture of our school. I'm particularly proud because it did not come from us—administrators, teachers, or adults at all. It completely came from our students… Thank you for the initiative that gave our students this kind of chance.”
Another Bronze Award winner, Marco Tistarelli, was honored for his video “Prom Dresses and Suits Giveaway,” which highlighted a community initiative providing formalwear to underprivileged students. “When I first heard about the event, I began looking for acts of kindness,” Tistarelli shared. “And I can honestly say, when you look for it, you’ll find it. This has been a beautiful experience.”
Kindness Ambassador
Gan Jing World creator ambassadors also attended, including Luke Mizel, a content creator and parkour athlete, and Dmitriy Arbatov, winner of the GJW Traveler Contest. Arbatov said, “If we show kindness and respect to each other daily, we can make the world a better place.” Mizel added, “No matter who you are—whether you have a million followers, or you’re a student, teacher, or government official—you can change someone’s life with the kindness you show.”
As the celebration concluded, Gan Jing World announced the launch of the #KindnessIsCool Video Awards 2025, offering a $10,000 top prize. This next chapter of the global movement is now open for submissions, inviting individuals, schools, and organizations worldwide to share their acts of kindness and inspire positive change. Participants can submit videos on Gan Jing World’s platform using the hashtag #KindnessIsCool, with new themes and expanded opportunities to spread kindness globally.
Sherry Yin concluded, “Gan Jing World remains committed to innovation, empowering creators and the users with exciting new opportunities. We are also advancing online privacy, protecting user data, and reducing tracking. Together, we will keep proving that Kindness is Cool."
Global recognitions
Global dignitaries and officials extended their recognition and congratulations for the March 28 event, applauding the impact of the #KindnessIsCool movement. Assemblymember Paula Elaine Kay, representing the 100th District, expressed her strong support for the value of kindness. Hon. Karl A. Brabenec emphasized the initiative’s influence on communities worldwide, stating, “The #KindnessIsCool movement has made a profound impact, enriching schools, businesses, and communities both locally and globally.” Similarly, Hon. Judy A. Sgro commended Gan Jing World for fostering a safe and inspiring digital space that empowers youth. Leaders from Batam City, Indonesia, further solidified this recognition by officially declaring March 28 as ‘Gan Jing World Day.’
New York State Honors Gan Jing World for Inspiring Kindness, Unity, and Digital Well-Being
City of Middletown, New York Honors Gan Jing World for Inspiring Global Kindness
Gan Jing World Honored with New York State Assembly Citation for Inspiring Global Kindness
Canadian MP Hon. Judy Sgro Applauds Gan Jing World’s Global Success with #KindnessIsCool Movement
"Gan Jing World Day" Proclaimed in Batam, Indonesia, as #KindnessIsCool Inspires Local Pride
For media inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact: press@ganjingworld.com
留言 · 14
Speak Chinese Now 李老師
2天前Mina HM Ha
5天前William & Esther
6天前Marco in America
7天前it’s been a honor to be there in person and talk to so many wonderful people 👍🏼
Nguyễn Tuyền
7天前