Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation is kicking off the month of September with the third annual #BeKind21 campaign, which calls on participants to do good deeds for 21 straight days.
With hundreds of partners and nearly five million people already pledging to "integrate kindness" into their lives, the foundation's goal this year also includes combating trauma caused by COVID-19 and social unrest, Maya Smith, executive director of the Born This Way Foundation, told Cheddar.
"Kindness can do everything from brighten someone's day to save someone's life, so the more of us that can think about how to include kindness in our everyday lives, the better off we'll all be," she said.
For those looking for ideas, the foundation will provide tips, Smith continued, saying there is no such thing as a small act of kindness.
The #BeKind21 challenge also aims to draw attention to mental health, as September is also recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
"These are uncertain and unprecedented times, so make sure you know the resources that support you, the people who you can talk to," Smith noted.
Spearheaded by a group of Channel Kindness reporters, — a Born This Way Foundation digital platform — the foundation is capping off the #BeKind21 campaign with a book release that includes a collection of goodwill stories. According to Smith, those personal stories aim to inspire people as the stresses of today become increasingly challenging.
"As you know [at Cheddar], telling the good stories, telling the stories of kindness and hope that keep you going, really matters," she said. "We wanted to present and offer a platform for young people to tell the stories of kindness in their communities and share their own brave voices."
Officials say 24 people were killed when an elevated section of Mexico City's metro collapsed as a train was traveling along it.
The reopenings are coming in fast and furious now, and the FDA is prepping to greenlight the vaccine for adolescents (Good!). Vaccine hesitancy is still a problem (Bad!). Plus, why everything is so expensive right now, and a fine-dining powerhouse goes vegan.
Cheddar's Michelle Castillo delves into her Filipino cultural roots exploring the ways foodstuffs connect generations of immigrants in the U.S.
Bill and Melinda Gates say they're divorcing. The Microsoft co-founder and his wife, who launched the world’s largest charitable foundation, said they would continue to work together at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Jon M. Chu, director of 'Crazy Rich Asians,' discussed the issues of diversity and AAPI representation in Hollywood with Cheddar.
Air travel continues to recover from the pandemic, although it's still not close to normal.
Jill and Carlo talk about the good (100 million Americans vaccinated!) and the bad (India) in the pandemic. Plus, the question of how to get workers back to the office, Elon Musk prepping for a controversial SNL gig, and the best celebrity couple of the 2000s seen hanging out again.
Cheddar correspondent Chloe Aiello went library-hopping to check out the latest programming, including whispering libraries and outdoor reading rooms.
Cheddar’s Michelle Castillo stopped by a Convene location in New York, which provides flexible offices, events and meeting spaces, to see what the future of work may hold.
Catherine Carlson, a senior vice president with the Eagles, discussed the NFL team's partnership with LifeBrand, a brand protection firm specializing in social media health checks.
