--- title: "Thursday Buzz: Why This Association Honored Jaden Smith" id: "35160" type: "post" slug: "thursday-buzz-why-this-association-honored-jaden-smith" published_at: "2016-09-29T21:13:06+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T17:34:45+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/09/29/thursday-buzz-why-this-association-honored-jaden-smith/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/09/29/thursday-buzz-why-this-association-honored-jaden-smith.md" excerpt: "The Environmental Media Association recognizes work by the son of Will Smith. Here’s what the 18-year-old did. Plus: Is it time to formalize data management in your organization?" taxonomy_category: - "Governance" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "Data Management" - "Governance" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Thursday Buzz: Why This Association Honored Jaden Smith Jaden Smith is behind a better water bottle—one that’s already showing results. The [Environmental Media Association (EMA) (opens in a new tab)](http://www.green4ema.org/) has recognized the innovative work Smith has done with his [JUST water (opens in a new tab)](http://www.justwater.com/) bottle company. Smith will receive the award [at the EMA Awards (opens in a new tab)](http://www.green4ema.org/2016-ema-awards-full-list-of-nominees/) next month, in Burbank, California. The company, based in Glen Falls, New York, offers spring water that is “[responsibly sourced, produced and packaged (opens in a new tab)](http://www.justwater.com/justwater/) .” The bottle is made of 82 percent renewable resources, including both paper and plant-based plastic, and can be fully recycled wherever cartons are accepted. “We are so honored to be able to share with the global public this inspiring young voice for environmental issues and sustainability,” EMA President Debbie Levin [said in a statement (opens in a new tab)](http://www.eonline.com/uk/news/798265/jaden-smith-to-be-honored-at-environmental-media-awards-for-his-leadership-in-the-eco-community) . “Jaden is a true activist and role model that can authentically lead his generation to a more thoughtful and conscious future.” Known among other things for being Will Smith’s son, Jaden is a performer in his own right, but he never revealed that he was behind JUST water for years. He wanted to emphasize the mission rather than put his name on the company, [according to People (opens in a new tab)](http://www.people.com/article/jaden-smith-ema-award-environment-sustainable-water-bottle) . Smith calls the product “water for the people.” The current goal is to get to 100 percent in reducing greenhouse gas emissions—it reaches levels of up to 74 percent today. “With the Male EMA Futures Award, our voices are being amplified and we’re making a difference,” [Jaden told Billboard Magazine (opens in a new tab)](http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7525711/jaden-smith-environmental-media-association-award) . “Having the support from an organization that shares the same values as me makes the future more optimistic than ever.” ### Tweet of the Day > What happens when you don’t have [#DataGovernance (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/DataGovernance?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > ? Data quality issues, conflicting info & confused staff. [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [https://t.co/ZFiPUS4Kqv (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/ZFiPUS4Kqv) > > — AssociationAnalytics (@AssocAnalytics) [September 29, 2016 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/AssocAnalytics/status/781487544479387654?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Data can pile up quickly.** Does your association have the right level of data governance? “A data governance policy will ensure that your association is treating data as an asset,” Tori Liu [writes at Association Analytics (opens in a new tab)](http://www.associationanalytics.com/2016/09/27/how-to-develop-a-data-governance-policy/) . She shares guidance on how to build data organization and management. ### Other Links of Note **What can you get out of volunteering?** More than you signed up for—and it’s all good. Dante Munnis [shares a couple of solid unintended outcomes at the VolunteerMatch blog (opens in a new tab)](http://blogs.volunteermatch.org/engagingvolunteers/2016/09/28/unintended-consequences-of-volunteering-and-theyre-all-good/) . **Being nosey can be good sometimes.** [Callie Walker at the MemberClicks blog claims (opens in a new tab)](http://blog.memberclicks.com/why-being-nosey-can-actually-be-a-good-thing-at-your-association) it is not always a negative thing when it comes to learning about your members or how your association is doing. **It’s time to stop bashing microlearning.** Professionals developing their knowledge through e-learning are doing well. Christopher Pappas [debunks microlearning myths at the eLearning Industry blog (opens in a new tab)](https://elearningindustry.com/microlearning-myths-elearning-professionals-should-bust) . (via Jaden Smith’s Facebook page) [Patrick deHahn](https://associationsnow.com/author/patrick-dehahn/) Patrick deHahn is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/patrick-dehahn/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#Data Management](https://associationsnow.com/tag/data-management/) [#Governance](https://associationsnow.com/tag/governance/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Leading Together-Strengthening the Board-CSO PartnershipDecember 18, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/12/18/associations-now-presents-leading-together-strengthening-the-board-cso-partnership/) - [VideoAssociation Governance Institute: Your Governance HeadquartersMarch 18, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/03/18/association-governance-institute-your-governance-headquarters/) - [VideoStrengthening the CEO & Board Partnership with Governance TechnologyMarch 17, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/03/17/strengthening-the-ceo-board-partnership-with-governance-technology/) - [VideoSmarter Board Management for Associations: An OnBoard ShowcaseJuly 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/24/smarter-board-management-for-associations-an-onboard-showcase/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2016%2F09%2F29%2Fthursday-buzz-why-this-association-honored-jaden-smith%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !