“Let’s start a coalition so even the broke can go” - Pharrell (Paris, Tokyo Remix)
The beginnings of Passport Project can be traced back to a song, “Paris, Tokyo Rmx”1 and a trip to Spain. The trip transformed the life of Kenji Summers while imparting an idea. An idea with the objective of changing a generation’s perspective on global travel, culture, and their perception of social entrepreneurship. In the world we live in today there are more Americans with a Facebook account than with a passport2. Kenji took note that money was a major issue in whether someone had a passport. U.S. states where people have higher incomes are more likely to have people with passports and a willingness to travel out of the country3. Passport Project believes the youth are the key to the future of every country and this movement was designed to embrace the duality of an age where hip-hop and Givenchy are bedmates and teenagers grow up with dreams of creating culture rather than simply consuming it. The goal, in addition to increasing passport ownership, is to inspire and empower young people to consider their existence in relation to the rest of the world as opposed to their immediate reality.
References:
1. Lupe Fiasco featuring Pharrell, Q-Tip, & Sarah Green - Paris, Tokyo (Remix) at YouTube
