Nick Cannon and Honoree Joshua Williams speak on stage at the 2015 Nickelodeon HALO Awards at Pier 36 on November 14, 2015 in New York City. Neilson Barnard Courtesy Nickelodeon
BY MADELEINE MARR
mmarr@MiamiHerald.com
Joshua Williams is so not your typical teenager. The 14-year-old doesn’t spend his idle time texting, playing video games or hanging out at the mall. The Miami Beach resident feels the need to help others and has since the ripe age of 4, when he first saw a homeless person on the side of the road and felt the urge to give him money. With his family’s help, the Joshua’s Heart Foundation was eventually born, distributing food to the needy on the streets of Miami. To date, the organization has helped more than 50,000 people nationwide and raised $420,000 for the cause.
Once Joshua started speaking across the country about his foundation, Hollywood took notice. The Ransom Everglades student and 2014 CNN Hero will be honored Tuesday during Nickelodeon’s HALO awards hosted by Nick Cannon. A concert during the 7 p.m. broadcast on Nick will feature a special appearance by Justin Bieber, along with performances by Fifth Harmony, DNCE with Joe Jonas, Tori Kelly and Flo Rida.
Your family must be so proud of your accomplishments.
I think they are. They are supportive and encourage me to think outside of the box and not settle for the norm. They can’t wait to see what I am going to do in the future, and I can’t, either. Maybe find a cure for cancer.
What are your plans as far as continuing your education?
I love California and have set my goal to attend a college like Stanford, UC Berkeley, USC, Caltech or UCLA. I’m still open to other colleges like MIT, Harvard, Princeton or other good schools around the nation.
Can you explain the HALO Awards?
The ceremony is a great event that helps teach kids that they can make a difference no matter how small or big in their community. HALO stands for Helping And Leading Others, and it also brings awareness about issues that the other honorees and I are trying to combat. We came up with our own HALO handshake, which I hope they will always use.
What was Nick Cannon like in person?
We first met at Universal Studios in Orlando before taping. He surprised me and the other honorees and personally took us around the park. He gave us a cool VIP experience. He is a very chill guy, but at the same time is brimming with fun and energy. It was a pleasure to meet him. The whole experience was amazing.
What has been the most surreal moment of your short life so far?
Co-hosting a major TV award show announcing international singers. How cool is that!? I’d love to do it again. If Nick ever needs a fill-in, I’m in.
What was it like rubbing elbows with music stars?
I’m a huge fan of all the performers. They are all talented artists who are making amazing music and inspiring kids all around the world. But I can relate to Flo Rida and Camila Cabello of Fifth Harmony, as they both are from Miami. I also learned a lot about Justin Bieber’s humanitarian side. I had no idea he was so involved in the community, and now I look at him completely differently.
What else do you want readers to know about you?
My message is: Make a change in the world. Whether it’s big or small, just make a change. I’m also starting a new company that is focused around hip, urban streetwear clothing. Look out!
Source: Miami Herald
