It all started on September 9, 2011, when I embarked on a journey that not only redefined the course of my life but also touched the minds and hearts of a diverse and global community. I called it Project 365 (365 Strangers / 365 Days)—a daily blog that ultimately engaged people from around the world. My goal was straightforward: every day for an entire year, no matter how I felt, what I was doing, or where I was, I would approach absolute strangers and ask if they would allow me to interview, photograph, and blog about them—capturing their portraits and responses to a shared set of questions. For 365 consecutive days—through rain and shine, heat and cold, whether I was tired, healthy, or ill—I never missed a day. And as the challenge progressed, a much-needed narrative emerged.

At first, it was slow going. But everything changed in December 2011 when, without my knowledge, WordPress featured Project 365 as one of the top ten daily blogs to follow. Overnight, an audience of tens became a worldwide community of thousands. As readers, commenters, and subscribers of many cultures took notice, Sidewalk Ghosts was born.

Since then, I’ve continued to author and publish essays, photo narratives, videos, and podcasts—expanding into speaking engagements that advocate for a more balanced and compassionate way of seeing and treating one another. With hundreds more interviews, ongoing stories, and a book, the project is now a call to action: fostering empathy, bridging diverse perspectives, and building meaningful human connections—in life, work, and play.

I’m profoundly grateful to the many individuals who have bravely stepped forward to share their stories and actions. A vast and diverse group of people—unknown to each other—who are proving the existence of a quiet yet powerful majority. A global community of remarkable individuals who, in their own ways and beyond their personal obstacles, are reaching out to listen, speak, and act as they move past the barriers that divide us—reminding us that true connection begins with the courage to hear others and the strength to embrace our own worth.