Jaden Smith, son of megastars Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith, is making a name for himself for philanthropic reasons. The 20-year-old is teaming up with First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, Mich., to ensure residents of the impoverished city finally get access to clean drinking water.
JUST, the environmental organization he started with his dad, is making plans to deploy a mobile filtration system known as The Water Box.
The city of Flint made national and international headlines in 2014 when it was discovered that residents had been drinking contaminated lead-filled water for years, after leaders decided that Flint would use their own water source to the detriment of the city’s citizens.
Flint has never really recovered from the fiasco and people still lack access to safe drinking water. The First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church has distributed over five million bottles of water since 2014 and has been a staple of resources. However, in a report from CBS News Detroit, bottled water donations have been declining over the years.
Enter Smith’s collaboration with JUST and First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church. This innovative system will filter and reduce the amount of lead and other contaminants found in Flint’s water supply.
The younger Smith has always been passionate about the environment, especially water, since he was 10 years old. His first experience with water pollution was when he saw plastic water bottles bobbing in the ocean.
Smith had learned about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in school. The patch contains large piles of trash seemingly forming little “islands” of garbage. Smith vowed from that moment forward that he would contribute to making the environment better. Through brainstorming with his parents, the father and son duo formed JUST goods, Inc.
At a time when young celebrities are more concerned with the latest designer labels and cars, Smith is creating a positive change in the world. And it’s a change that’s much needed.
