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As you’ll discover in my book, <a href="/checkout">We First</a>, I believe that brands must integrate purpose into their profit models and embrace the idea that a portion of every purchase, no matter the product, should contribute towards social change. As such, 10% of all proceeds from the purchases of my book will be donated to the United Nations ‘Girl Up’ Foundation.

This decision is both personal and professional. When trying to decide which cause to support for the next 12 months, I thought about what was most meaningful in my life. My two daughters, Aisha aged 11 and Talia aged 8, quickly came to mind.

I also thought about what I believe is the most powerful way to manifest lasting change where its needed most. I deeply believe that strong girls become the women who are the foundations of our homes, health, communities, growing economies and nations. And that education is the most effective way to build strong bodies and minds, especially in developing nations. Plus my wife was a schoolteacher by trade so the whole family agreed. So that’s why 10% of the proceeds from We First will go to the U.N. ‘Girl Up’ Foundation.

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The <a href="http://www.girlup.org/" target="_blank">‘Girl Up’ Foundation</a> is wonderful for several reasons. Firstly, it is participatory in that it channels the energy and compassion of young American girls (like mine) to help provide the needs of the hardest-to-reach adolescent girls. Secondly, it gives you choices in how to participate, from <a href="http://www.girlup.org/donate/" target="_blank">investing in a girl’s education</a> to <a href="http://www.girlup.org/get-involved/events/" target="_blank">attending events</a> to <a href="http://www.globalproblems-globalsolutions.org/site/TR/Events/GU?pg=entry&amp;fr_id=1060" target="_blank">Girlraising</a> to <a href="http://www.girlup.org/get-involved/multimedia.html" target="_blank">multi-media toolkits</a> to <a href="http://store.girlup.org/default.aspx" target="_blank">cool things you can buy</a>. Thirdly, ‘Girl Up’ has a deeply committed community on <a href="http://www.girlup.org/blog/" target="_blank">their blog</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/girlup" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/girlup" target="_blank">Twitter</a> that I invite you to join.

As a father of two girls myself, I know how precious every young girl is. As someone extremely hopeful about a brighter future, I know that being strong, healthy, and educated are critical if we are to get there. Thank you for your support of We First, and please do all you can to help the <a title="Help The Girl Up Foundation" href="http://www.girlup.org/" target="_blank">U.N. ‘Girl Up’ Foundation</a>.

Frequently asked questions:
<ol>
	<li style="padding-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.girlup.org/learn/the-worlds-adolescent-girls.html" target="_blank">Tell us about the world’s adolescent girls?</a></li>
	<li style="padding-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.girlup.org/learn/making-an-impact.html" target="_blank">How does ‘Girl Up’ make an impact?</a></li>
	<li style="padding-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.girlup.org/learn/where-do-your-funds-go.html" target="_blank">Where do the funds go?</a></li>
	<li style="padding-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.girlup.org/learn/why-american-girls.html" target="_blank">Why American girls?</a></li>
	<li style="padding-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.girlup.org/learn/stories/" target="_blank">Can you show us some success stories?</a></li>
	<li style="padding-bottom: 10px;"><a href="&lt;?php echo bloginfo('template_directory'); ?&gt;/assets/Girlafesto.pdf" target="_blank">How can I download the Girlafesto?</a></li>
</ol>
<span class="attribution">Photos attributions: hdptcar, Orange Tuesday, Jean Marc, Gabor Basch.</span>

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