In April of 2016, Springfield Missouri's own Randy Bacon, a local artist, started the movement 7 Billion Ones. I had the privilege to interview Mr. Bacon and he gave me some insight on the movement he started in Springfield and plans on taking so much further.

Have Your Voice Heard: Become an Odyssey Creator

“There are well over seven billion people in the world and sometimes we just get lost in the fast-paced, bigness of it all. Seven Billion ones is a movement to focus on the ones. Each person matters and has stories that counts, and through this movement, they are able to share those stories to empower themselves and others” said Randy.

Through Seven Billion Ones, another movement has been created called The Road I Call Home which focuses on the Homeless Populations not just in Missouri, but everywhere. Randy and his wife Shannon were inspired to create The Road I Call Home by their own personal encounters with the homeless. “There is a tendency with people to avoid the homeless. In every walk of life, you have people who have problems, who have their good and bad qualities. Homeless people are the same way. What we have found is they are just really down to earth people who have just had some bad breaks in life” said Randy. The Bacon’s goal is to expand and get the word out to as many people as possible about The Road I call Home. Its grand opening was at the Randy Bacon Art Gallery on the First Friday art walk on October 7th and it will now continue to make its rounds to other art galleries and viewings.

“I want people to walk away reconsidering their thoughts and stereotypes on homeless communities. The judgments that society has made about them are wrong. Ultimately it’s about getting people to open up, try walking up to a homeless person and just ask, how are you doing today?” said Randy.

There are several empowering stories worth reading on Bacon's website 7billionones.org. Check out his website for more information, and how you can get involved.