The Torch Awards Shines a Spotlight on the 2017 Nonprofit Partner 'Today, I’m Brave'

New York Festivals Torch Awards, a unique creative competition for young creatives 18-27 years old, has partnered with Today, I’m Brave, a registered nonprofit, whose dynamic mission celebrates people performing Brave acts every day and everywhere.  Today, I’m Brave’s intention is to inspire others to conquer their fears—because when we’re Brave, we can accomplish anything.

Today, I'm Brave’s initiative started out as a social experiment to inspire an Ebola-stricken community in Sierra Leone, and has evolved into a non-profit designed to inspire bravery within people and organisations around the world. Since the movement started a year ago, Today, I’m Brave has amassed over 110,000 followers and made 7.5 million online impressions.

“We are excited and honoured to have talented young creatives throughout the world help us raise awareness of our brand,” said Kristen Knape, director of philanthropy, Today, I’m Brave. “With our upcoming book, also titled ‘Today, I’m Brave,’ it made perfect sense to partner with the Torch Awards to get a world-wide perspective in order to help us best inspire Bravery for positive change.”

The Today, I'm Brave movement inspired people to share a variety of stories, videos and pictures of their courage when facing their fears and creating great change in their lives. The triumphant stories shared by individuals overcoming daily challenges have helped people around the globe.  Soon, people will be able to read the inspiration behind the movement in an actionable book, “Today, I’m Brave,” that will challenge people to take on their fears with specific ways to adapt Brave actions in their own lives.

New York Festivals and the Torch Awards  proudly support Today, I’m Brave’s mission and champions their encouraging philosophy that says “No act of bravery should be ridiculed, marginalised, or minimised, which is why no act of bravery is too small or too big for us. Inspiration can come from all walks, all creeds, all deeds, all corners of the Earth, and all of us, individually and collectively.”

The 2017 Torch Awards challenge brief invites entrants to develop and pitch an idea for an integrated-mixed media campaign to promote Today, I’m Brave’s international book release this August. The Torch Awards Grand-Winning Team will also have the chance to further develop their idea with Today, I’m Brave and see it go live.

Today, I’m Brave will expand their outreach by hosting their first-ever speaker event featuring a powerhouse line-up of inspirational speakers on the topic: “You’re Braver than You Think.”  Each speaker will share their unique story about what it meant for them to face their greatest fears and live bravely. Speakers include David Angelo, Founder & Chairman of David&Goliath; Ryan Blair, New York Times Best-Selling Author, Entrepreneur and Venture Capitalist; Cecilia Gorman, Motivational Speaker, Trainer, Coach; Leo Flowers, Comedian, and Garrain Jones, Motivational Speaker and Author. Proceeds from the event will benefit the 62 children who were orphaned by the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone providing food, healthcare and a greater education.

Since its creation, Today, I’m Brave has raised awareness for numerous worthy causes including: Shine On Sierra Leone; Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles; New Directions for Veterans; Teach for Armenia; Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America; Healing Night of Comedy; Project Angel Food and A21, a nonprofit  to abolish human trafficking injustice.

Today, I’m Brave is dedicated to impact the following areas in 2017: Education, Cancer Research, Veteran’s Issues, Betterment of Los Angeles, Brave Ambassador Causes, and Creation of education video and speaker events. Specific programs include: Today, I’m Brave Speaker Events; developing a Today, I’m Brave online educational tool; securing Brave video sponsorships; partnering with corporate programs, and continued micro donation and merchandise sales.

For more information on Today, I’m Brave, please visit www.facebook.com/todayimbrave.  The Today, I’m Brave Facebook page features a collection of Brave stories and provides a way for fans to engage, share and comment on the stories, as well as submit ideas for Brave stories, either from people they are inspired by or their own Brave story.

The 2017 Torch Awards submission deadline is February 17th. Finalist teams will be announced on April 3rd.  The Grand-Winning Team will be announced and awarded live at the New York Show, taking place May 18th at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. 

For more information or to enter please visit the Torch Awards website.