From We Day to We Act!

By Lori Harnick, General Manager, Citizenship & Public Affairs

 We knew that We Day in Seattle was going to be something special, but I’m not sure we were could have imagined the incredible energy, excitement and passion of the 15,000 young people who rocked Seattle’s KeyArena stadium yesterday. Athletes, activists, and actors – Magic Johnson, Martin Sheen, and Jennifer Hudson, to name just a few - congratulated teenagers from across the region on the positive actions they’ve taken in their communities and inspired them to do even more.

As Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer (pictured below) told the crowd yesterday, when you power your creativity and passion to help others with the latest cutting-edge technology, the only limit to your impact is your imagination. The young people who attended We Day are determined to change the world for the better, and we’re cheering them on every step of the way as they now channel their energy into We Act - their year-long community service projects and commitments to help others near and far.

We Day encapsulates many of the reasons we created Microsoft YouthSpark. We believe that inspired youth, empowered by technology, can have a profound impact throughout the world. Anyone who experienced yesterday’s event will have no doubt that today’s youth have the smarts, the talent, and the skills to make a real impact for a better tomorrow.

For a glimpse into yesterday’s excitement, including photos of our YouthSpark Reporters and Ambassadors, as well as a host of stars from Kid President to Demi Lovato, Jennifer Hudson and Macklemore, check out the slideshow. You can also read Steve Ballmer’s comments here.