JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – Robbie Stokes quit his job working for a congressman in Washington D.C. and started doing what some mothers advise their kids not to.
"I started talking to strangers everywhere I went. Not just people walking down the street, but people I'm sitting next to on the bus, or people I meet in the elevator or while traveling," said Stokes.
The "I talk to strangers" campaign aims at increasing dialogue between people of different ages, nationalities, races, backgrounds and economic classes.
"I came up with this idea because we are all interconnected in order to bring people closer together as a global community," said Stokes.
Stokes has traveled across the world spreading the word including Paris and Africa. He has backpacked in 16 countries trying to promote social awareness.
The footage from the trip is being turned into a documentary directed by FAMU alum James Bland.
"We are all strangers, until we say hello. And when I sit down and reflect on what I have achieved. I realize that the basis for all of it was building strong relationships through talking to strangers," said Stokes.
Stokes says by developing relationships with people you don't know, you can create endless opportunities and teachable moments for yourself.