Written by Alicia Wanek
Eddie Coker, a noted performer, encapsulates the unpredictable nature of existence by stating, “Life just does what it does.” The year 2020 exemplified this reality, yet Eddie strives to empower individuals to tackle life’s hurdles. In collaboration with the Wezmore Project, he has crafted a comprehensive initiative aimed particularly at guiding youths through life’s ups and downs. Their objective is to equip young people and their families with essential emotional coping skills through a range of engaging media formats.
If you were raising kids in North Texas during the early 2000s, Eddie Coker likely made an impression on you. Known for his lively songs and performances, he drew crowds at festivals, malls, and outdoor venues, captivating even the most reserved children with his infectious enthusiasm. Now residing in Colorado, Eddie still exudes boundless energy while broadening his outreach through the Wezmore Project, which he dubs “Eddie Coker 4.0.”
The inspiration behind the Wezmore Project stems from a creative spark of his son, who coined the term during his third-grade years. Due to copyright constraints preventing the use of an alternative name for his emerging nonprofit, Eddie decided to embrace the unique term. He emphasizes to both his team and audiences that “there’s a WE in Wezmore,” reminding them that we are not meant to navigate life in isolation. Their focus is on the “Wezzers”—elements like love, joy, and fulfillment; to “wez” has evolved into a verb, symbolizing the integration of Wezmore’s strategies into everyday experiences. Fans can also find a range of Wezmore merchandise in the Wezmart.
The Wezmore initiative is fueled by alarming statistics highlighting the mental health struggles faced by the younger generation.
Driven by a sense of duty, Eddie declared, “I’m going to do my share to address the problems we have as humans,” channeling his creativity and musical talent towards aiding children.
The Wezmore Project introduces what Eddie describes as “short, uplifting interruptions and engaging activities that motivate kids to be present and practice mindfulness.” Their social media content, livestreams, and videos, along with Eddie’s live performances, all foster an environment that encourages children to “engage meaningfully with the moment, cultivating a deeper happiness.” This foundational mantra shapes all their efforts. The resources offered are rooted in scientific research and have received endorsement from the SMU Center on Research and Evaluation. Eddie appreciates the vision of a child recognizing, “Wait, I have a tool for this,” referencing techniques gleaned from songs, meditations, messages, or visuals that help address feelings and situations.
He motivates children to understand that at the core of everything lies the power of choice, encouraging them to “catch” negative thoughts to maintain their sense of control.
The program isn’t solely aimed at younger kids; Eddie has found that older audiences also resonate with the notion of “This is what I do for young kids…”, which ultimately makes everyone more receptive to the Wezmore philosophy. In reality, everyone could benefit from enhancing life skills to embody the mantra of “Lovemore, Peacemore, Joymore, Wezmore.” Long after the disruptions of 2020 fade into the past, it is hoped that these essential skills will endure.
Support the Wezmore Project and its mission by visiting www.thewezmoreproject.org and follow them on social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Medium.
Join their community at https://thewezmoreproject.org/get-involved-1#contact.
