There’s only one statutory holiday in September, and that’s Labor Day—arguably the most depressing holiday of the year because it means summer is ending.
And if you’re under 22, it probably means you have to go back to school. But one hilarious man has slowly been working another pseudo-September holiday into the mix with a purpose. It’s sort of the new Thanksgiving, with an emphasis on the giving.
Sure, no one gets any time off work—but his followers now look forward to the day every year!
It all started in 2016 when Demi Adejuyigbe, an LA-based comedian, posted a video to his YouTube channel.
Using Earth, Wind and Fire’s famous hit “September,” he did a little editing. He changed all the lyrics in the song, to:
“The twenty-first night of September”
Over and over again.
No other lyrics. All remixed into the same tune as the original version, just… without any of the other words.
Why? I’m not sure we’ll ever know.
With his song on, he dances around in his living room wearing sunglasses and a white t-shirt with “Sept 21” printed on the front.
When he turns around, “That’s today” is printed on the back.
The following year he did it again, but with a little more embellishment.
There was a big reveal and a wall of balloons were involved.
The year after that, it was an even bigger production with a child choir!
The videos have grown a cult following, and some fans have even started calling it a holiday.
Better than Labor Day? That’s for you to decide.
He’s built a successful comedy career, writing for series like The Good Place and The Late Late Show with James Corden.
He’s politically active and has used the success of his hilarious September videos to raise awareness and money for charity:
“One of the nicest things about doing these September videos is using the attention as an opportunity to raise money for organizations whose goals I want to champion, whether that’s fighting climate change, resources and rights of the unhoused, trans equality & political power, racial justice, reproductive rights, prisoner justice, or a variety of other social goods.”
This year, all the donations are being split among five organizations:
Street Watch LA, in California supports the homeless and raises awareness for various housing issues;
Trans United Fund, in Washington aims to provide a political voice for the trans community;
BlackRoots Alliance, Illinois is dedicated to providing liberation to the black community;
SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition, in California organizes outreach programs and support for the unhoused population; and
The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum empowers women and girls in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
Donors have the choice to allocate their dollars to whichever charities they want to support most. Demi clearly has a soft spot for all five of the foundations he’s raising money for.
They’re all great causes, so it’s impossible to go wrong!
He promised to do another video next year if he reached his fundraising goal, which was to raise $50,000 collectively between all five charities.
Well, he did more than just reach his goal. He raised more than five times what he was expecting! More than $300,000 and counting.
That’s something worth dancing about!
“It’s a crucial time in our history for so many marginalized and underrepresented voices, and a little bit can go a long way in pushing the needle closer to a socially, politically, and environmentally just world.”
He’s also taken the opportunity to encourage his viewers to register to vote.
It’s amazing how he’s using his fame to do some good in the world!
Click below to watch the latest installment for 2020, or start with 2016 and work your way through them all.
It’s sure to bring you some joy in this trying time.
We can’t wait to see what he comes up with for next year! Click below to watch this year’s video:
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