With Colorado joining New Jersey, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Vermont, five U.S. governors have now recognized the global kindness movement — which has inspired more than 34,000 acts of kindness across 200+ countries and regions.
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. — Colorado Governor Jared Polis has become the fifth U.S. governor to recognize Gan Jing World's #BeKindBeCool movement, issuing a letter congratulating the #BeKindBeCool Global Video Awards and praising the initiative for encouraging people to capture everyday acts of kindness on video.
Gan Jing World (GJW), an independent, family-safe video streaming and content sharing platform, expressed its gratitude to Governor Polis and the State of Colorado for lending their voice to the movement.
Writing from the Office of the Governor, Polis extended his "sincere congratulations on the #BeKindBeCool Global Video Awards," noting that the initiative invites participants to capture acts of kindness — "big or small" — in short video form. He thanked Gan Jing World for using its platform "to emphasize to your audience the importance of making a positive social impact," adding that he trusts this year's awardees “will inspire others to spread kindness in their own lives.”
A Governor and a State Leading on Youth Well-Being Online
The recognition carries particular weight coming from Colorado, a state that has made young people's well-being a priority under Governor Polis's leadership.
The Polis administration's I Matter program offers free counseling sessions to young Coloradans, and the state helped launch the nation's first Youth Mental Health Corps, whose members work directly with students on navigating social media while building digital and media literacy.
Colorado has also strengthened protections for young people online, adopting a bipartisan framework for age attestation on digital platforms and passing House Bill 1058, which establishes financial safeguards for children featured in monetized online content.
"Governor Polis and the State of Colorado have championed the belief that technology should help young people flourish," said Nick Janicki, Director of Media Relations at Gan Jing World. "That is exactly what #BeKindBeCool stands for, and we are honored by their recognition."
A Growing Roster of State Leaders
Governor Polis joins a widening circle of governors who have recognized the movement:
- New Jersey — Governor Mikie Sherrill commended the initiative.
- Massachusetts — Governor Maura Healey, with Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, recognized the movement.
- Tennessee — Governor Bill Lee sent a letter of commendation to the winners, writing that even small acts of kindness "can encourage hope, strengthen relationships, and inspire others to lead with compassion and respect."
- Vermont — Governor Phil Scott proclaimed a statewide "#BeKindBeCool Day."
- Colorado — Governor Jared Polis congratulated the Global Video Awards.
In New York, both chambers of the State Legislature have honored the movement, including State Senators James Skoufis and Jamaal T. Bailey, and Assemblymembers Karl A. Brabenec and Paula Kay. Recognition now spans the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Indonesia.
From Schools to Times Square
Now in its fourth year, #BeKindBeCool has grown from a single hashtag into a worldwide movement built on one idea: choose kindness, every day. Since 2023, it has gathered more than 34,000 acts of kindness from creators, students, and everyday people in over 50 countries, presented in 11 languages, reaching audiences in 200+ countries and regions and generating over a billion impressions.
Schools, families, community organizations, and content creators worldwide have embraced the campaign to counter bullying and encourage positive online engagement. On July 30, 2026, this year's winning videos and artwork were celebrated on a billboard in New York City's Times Square.
Entries for the 2026–27 #BeKindBeCool Kindness Awards are now open, with $10,000 in total prizes, a spot on the Times Square billboard, and two tracks — the Open Awards for creators and the global community, and the School Edition for students ages 6–18. Entry is free at ganjingworld.com/bekindbecool.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Congratulatory letter from Colorado Governor Jared Polis, dated May 28, 2026
- Five governors have now recognized the movement
- 34,000+ acts of kindness inspired
- 200+ countries and regions participating
- Over a billion impressions
- Winners celebrated on a Times Square billboard in New York City
About Gan Jing World
Gan Jing World is a video streaming and content sharing platform guided by its mission, "Technology for Humanity" — promoting kindness, respect, trust, and moral values. We prioritize meaningful, non-addictive, family-safe content while protecting user privacy.
About #BeKindBeCool
#BeKindBeCool is Gan Jing World's global kindness movement and awards program, built on one idea: choose kindness, every day. It invites people worldwide to share original videos and artwork celebrating kindness — with winning work featured each year on a billboard in New York City's Times Square.
Media Contact: Nick Janicki, Director of Media Relations, Gan Jing World
Email: [email protected] | Website: www.ganjingworld.com