Saturday, March 19, 2011

Joey Parker - The Man Behind ‘The Movement’

Life, Make A Difference:

High-profiled talents like Sophia Bush, Brittany Snow and Adrienne Maloof are a few of the many who have shared thoughts of passion with humanitarian blogger Joey Parker. Now, Joey opens up to SchubertSays.com on what inspired his creation of The Joey Parker Movement, one of Hollywood’s most respected humanitarian blogs. 

Established as a way to promote positivity in the media, Parker’s desire for a better tomorrow inspired him to focus efforts on more uplifting sides to life. Launching The Joey Parker Movement in the summer of 2009, the ambitious youngster, 20, shares topics of worldly events, charity touch downs, and one-on-one celebrity interviews - discussing charity of course. 

He’s received cudos and love from Paris Hilton, Khloe Kardashian and Denise Richards, and still the work of Joey Parker shows no signs of slowing down. 

Just what we like to see! 

Straight from the man behind the movement, hear what Joey thinks of it all in his first heart-to-heart interview: Joey to the world. 

SchubertSays.com Q&A with... Joey Parker

SS: In your own words, what is The Joey Parker Movement?

JP: I launched the Joey Parker Movement over a year ago and I feel it is transforming everyday. At first I started this website as a little blog to tell my stories from Africa but then decided it would also be interesting to hear from high-profile individuals on how they are getting involved. TJPM is a platform where we can all come together to read positive stories and feel inspired. I felt with so much negativity in the news it was time to launch a website that counteracts the negativity. As to where I think TJPM will be in a year from now I have no idea but I can only hope people keep reading and supporting. Right now TJPM is read in over 107 countries… It blows me away…

SS: You’re 20-years-old and yet you have such a strong passion for the well being of others and giving back. What would you say drives you in this direction the most?

JP: Looking back into my past I feel there have been a few key factors that have created the person I am today. Although ultimately I think the passion towards humanity has just been built into me. Growing up my mother was the working mom and my father was the stay at home dad. This was the norm to me but come to find out this was rare. In school people seemed to always find this odd but I tried to not let it get to me. My father got Hepatitis C after being pricked by a needle while working at a hospital when I was young. As he fought this disease I watched his struggle but more importantly I saw him overcome this. No matter the pain my father felt he was always taking care of us while my mom worked and was solely supporting our family. As I got older the lessons and values my parents instilled in me empowered me to believe in myself. They are forever my heroes. Growing up I grew up in a very conservative town. If you weren’t the certain type of religion that dominated my town you were judged. I don’t care what people try and tell me this has had a tremendous impact on my life. Of course not all were like this but trust me there is a large group that still are this way. I remember one day in elementary school a parent told me I couldn’t hang out with their child because I didn’t follow their particular religion. This opened my eyes to prejudice and the hate in the world. This has empowered me to love all and accept those who may be different than me. Why spread hate when you know just how bad it hurts? And of course recently my trip to Africa clearly impacted my life. I think it’s important to understand that no matter the pain one feels today it won’t last forever. If you are struggling in high school understand that is such a small part of your life. Try and find the good within the bad. Use others negativity to empower you and as fuel to your dreams…

SS: The Joey Parker Movement has snagged interviews with high-profile entertainers like Eliza Dushku, Lisa Rinna and Marlee Matlin. What do you think sets you apart from the hundreds of other interview requests that flood celebrity publicists daily?

JP: I would like to think that I am in this for the right reasons. I am not trying to use them I am just trying to share a commonality that we all share and genuinely want to share their stories. At the end of the day if I have inspired at least one person through their stories to me that is a success. Also often with these high-profile celebrities I am talking about their passions and topics they believe in which is another reason why I think they are more than willing to open up. I am not trying to dig into their private life and create unnecessary drama. I don’t want a blog that knocks people down I want a blog that lifts others higher. Hating on people is so yesterday…

SS: You went on a humanitarian trip to Kenya, Africa at the tender age of 19. What was the experience like and what would you say affected you the most?

JP: This experience was unreal. I never thought I would be able to take a trip like this. Growing up this was a dream of mine to be able to travel to Africa. I never thought that this would actually become a reality but I set my mind to this idea and it became true in the summer of 2009. This trip affected me in many ways. One of the most vivid moments that I think of every day was seeing a child dying of AIDS. I worked in an orphanage in Kenya for over a week and was introduced to this little boy who was clearly dying. Although he had this terrible disease he still smiled like nothing was wrong. To me this put my life into perspective. I now try not to worry about the small stuff because that stuff doesn’t matter. We should live each day with a smile because we are truly lucky. I hope that one day we can find a cure and I never have to see a child suffer again. It was hard but it was another moment in life that has made me stronger and created who I am today.

SS: You’ve had the opportunity to interview actresses like Sophia Bush, athletes like Serena Williams, reality TV personalities like Kristin Cavallari, and DJ heroes like DJ Tina T. Who would you say was your most influential interview and why? 

JP: Each interview has been influential and also very different. If I had to choose I would go with two different ones. Sophia Bush and Denise Richards have been two of my top favorites thus far. Sophia was so incredible and took the time out of her day to do a phone interview. I truly never have spoken to a nicer individual and one who has inspired me more. Now with Denise Richards it was an interview via email but I can’t say enough good things about her. She truly is an inspiration. She is down to earth and has such a passion for helping animals it’s contagious. She is such a hard worker and is a devout superstar mom! I hope to work with her in the future on many more positive and inspiring projects!

 SS: There are so many high-profile influencers that make a point to give back through charity work. Who has been your biggest inspiration?

JP: Recently the work Ian Somerhalder has put forward with launching his charity the “Ian Somerhalder Foundation” has inspired me the most. The projects he has in the works and about to launch will literally make such a huge impact and create a brighter tomorrow. His first one is going to be all about deforestation, and is going to be incredible. Keep watching my blog for a secret something that will be coming very soon… J


SS: Reality starlet Khloe Kardashian, my favorite of the K-Klan, did an entire blog post via celebuzz.com on your humanitarian work and expressed appreciation for The JP Movement. What was that like for you as someone whose mission is to spread positivity in the media?  

JP: When she wrote that post about my website I was shocked. I didn’t expect that at all. To me it just solidified all the reasons why I love her. She is down to earth and truly cares about making a brighter future. The fact she took time out of her day to write a full blog on me really pushed me to keep up the work on my blog. I felt if she was interested in what I was doing I really should keep going with my blog. It is such an exciting time for us to be living.  No matter where one lives with the power of social media we can create our own platforms from wherever we live…

SS: Would you ever take another humanitarian trip like when you went to Kenya? If so, where would you go next and what would be the cause you are aiding?

JP: Well, I am obsessed with traveling and have so many places I would love to travel to but honestly I think I would go back to Kenya. The people I met will forever be in my heart. That trip transformed my life. Whether it was teaching the children at the Masaii school or working with the children at the AIDS orphanage each event will always be with me. There is also so much work to be done in Kenya that I would love to try and help out with. It saddens me that in 2011 there are still children who do not have food. I want to change this. Not sure I could choose one exact cause. There is too much to be done. I believe we can do it all.

SS:  You have no limitations and can go anywhere on the planet for any cause you choose. Where would you go and what would you do? Remember, you can do anything.

JP: If I could go anywhere in the world and have no limitations I go back to Africa and rescue all the child soldiers. I would get an armed giant party bus and drive around until they were all saved. It is estimated that there are over 300,000 child soldiers. They have been taken out of their houses and forced into rebel groups. This is truly one of the most horrible atrocities I believe ongoing. For more info check out the amazing work of invisible children.

SS: Some of the world’s most high profiled individuals like Madonna, Angelina Jolie and the Dalai Lama take part in charity work every year. Who would be your ultimate interview and why?

JP: As cliché as this is I would love to interview Angelina Jolie. She is mysterious, talented, and has such a huge heart. She is different than other celebrities when it comes to philanthropy because she is so persistent. If she isn’t working on a film or taking care of her enormous family she is working with the UN in some fascinating country. She also seems interested and sincere about the work she is doing. She isn’t doing it for the publicity she is doing it for the love of humanity.

Inspiring, isn’t he? Hats off, Mr. Parker! You are one of a kind.  

To keep up with Joey follow him on Twitter and of course keep checking out www.TheJoeyParkerMovement.com.

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

So inspiring for sure!! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

He’s pretty impressive. I bet one day this guy will be the next Dali Lama. Doing good on all sorts of ways. Nice to see these kind of people.

Anonymous said...

I’m not quite sold on so-called “movement”… He is just another hyper-obsessed celebrity stalker with a blog. Joey Parker’s style of news delivery is more star stuck than philanthropic.

I see no drive or real caring purpose. Reading about what celebrities allegedly do to help change the world is all fine and dandy but how does that cause action from your readers???

I guess it doesn’t matter as long as you grab a couple of pictures with a celeb or two, right?

Proximity to celebrities doesn’t make you one yourself!!!

Lacey said...

@Anonymous above: You’re completely missing the point and are being the negativity that people so often try to change in the world.

Marlie said...

What an inspiration! I wish there were more people like this in the world.

You make us think, Joey! Thanks for being fabulous! oxox

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