A chance encounter between a traveling TV host and a homeless man inspired hundreds of people to donate $35,000.
While traveling to Denver on business, British writer and television host Leon Logothelis bumped into James Moss, an unemployed barber who is raising his 2-year-old son in a homeless shelter.
Logothelis struck up a conversation with Moss — whom he saw as a human interest story waiting to be told.
Eventually Logothelis filmed his encounter with Moss and uploaded the video to YouTube.com on Nov. 3.
Before he departed, Logothelis gave Moss $1,000 and paid for a weeklong stay at a hotel for Moss and his son, Zhi.
Moss told Logothelis he and his son had just moved to Denver from the unforgiving streets of New York.
Logothelis said he was inspired by Moss’ positive, uplifting story. A woman in Goodland, Kansas saw the video and created a GoFundMe account that has so far raised over $35,000 for Moss and Zhi.
“I guarantee in a month’s time, I’ll make anything that I need to happen, happen,” Moss told Logothelis in the video. “You have to be brought down to your humblest point, so you can appreciate other things that are waiting for you.”
Moss was moved by the kind generosity of strangers.
“I love you all, you’re like family to me now,” he said. “I never thought that a small act of kindness like that would spark a huge chain reaction. I am so thankful, so grateful.”
In the movie Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith plays a struggling salesman who winds up living in a homeless shelter with his son, played by his real life son Jaden Smith.

I hope everything works out for him and his child.
I read an update about him yesterday. He bought a car and a camper with the money. He also has a job and is able to take his son to work with him.
Awesome story! He was so positive and deserving of the generous support from the public.
Great Feel Good Story; Praying for the best for him and son.
He a barber but neither got hair cut?
There are real people out here that really care. I wish the celebrities did more of this. They have money their kids won’t spend in a lifetime.
Very inspiring and encouraging.
Now yall suckers that gave to tyshawn mother hood azz. Here is a Black man taking care of his son. He will take your money and put it to good use. If he did buy a car good at least we all know you can live out of your car. That’s a better reason to buy a car then buying one after your son gets ambushed.
I don’t kno about this yall… something just ain’t sitting well with me. Maybe its that woman who used the GoFundMe to buy a car instead of using it on her baby boy’s funeral.
I’m not sure if this supposed to be funny.. but it is tickling me so
I’m with you on this. It’s a heartfelt story and gesture…but I guess I’m desensitized at this point…I’m afraid that two months from now we’ll hear how he blew the money and will be back on the streets looking for a handout.
I HOPE he does well and spends the money wisely.
Pursuit of Happiness is a true story. I wish the dad luck. I think he’d have better luck finding clients if his own hair didn’t look like dammit I’ll bite ya (my mama voice). I wonder where the mama is.
That video is a real tear jerker. That little snooky puss is too adorable for words with his little sleepy self. Pops ain’t bad either. I have faith that they are going to be alright.
That’s how people get caught up. We don’t know that man or what he will use the money for. We just have to be ok with his decisions when we give or don’t give at all.
I just read the details on the GoFundMe page… Part of the donations were so he could buy a vehicle to have transportation to work. At least those donating know in advance that a vehicle was going to be purchased
I hear you. I know many stylists whose head is questionable, but can lay some hair out.
Maybe he didn’t have time being homeless and all…
BBL
Last funeral.
Thanks @Sandra Rose,
Roses (Valued and clearance racked), tumbleweeds, thorns, and milkduds for helping to keep a smile on this face.
I like stories like this one…it lets me know that there are still good ppl out there
Maybe it’s because she is calling people that donated money, bums. I’ono…
Now this made me cry. Fathers like this need to be recognized. You have fathers who are driving a benz or BMW and wont even give their own child a ride and then you have MEN like this. Homeless or not, he like “son I got you.” Beautiful! I love when people never give up and in spite of others turning their backs on him, a whole group of other people came through!!! He’s making it and is doing better. To GOD be ALL the GLORY!!!
I love when good deeds are done in my city!!!!! I work across the street from there!
NEW POST! I GOTTA WAIT TIL THE HAIR APPOINTMENT TO PLAY TODAY…HMMPH!
Wishing him the best.
#realtalk
Two things though- he didn’t ask for money & he didn’t say how the money would be spent. Her gofundme stated help me lay my baby to rest. I saw a story this morning where she said the funeral was paid for the day after he died. Then she got defensive talking bout “yall want me walking?”
Girl, bye
I live in Colorado and saw his story on the news. The news did a follow up and he is working as a barber here now. He sounded very humble and grateful. hope all works out for him if I find out where he Is working I may have my son go check him out.
Prayers still being sent up.
Oh yea and he cleans up well ;).
Amen
aww god bless them. i love seeing stuff like this.
And ppl on his mom’s social media pages are defending this broad heavily….to no end. I’m sorry but she seems like she is basking in the attention and sees nothing wrong using charity money to buy a car. Unless she bought a pope-mobile, she’s not going to be safe. And why wasn’t she worried abt safety when he son was roaming the streets with a basketball only to be executed???
Great story! I know about that all too well!
Okay here come the tears!!
God bless him. I once worked at a homeless shelter, and it amazed me how people would just catch a greyhound to sc with nowhere to live but a shelter. Folks would come from NY, Philly, MD and other northern cities. Their reasons were those were no places to raise children.
God bless those that are willing to reach out and help those in need.
Amen! GOD bless
I like these good news stories.
This is touching. Luv it
This is the only thing u could comment on after seeing this beautiful story.. REAL ASSHOLE.. He was more focused on taking care of his child and making a way out than thinking about a damn haircut.. SMH
These are the only times I appreciate the social media generation. Bless his heart, Jesus!
He should have taken some of that money and opened up a dispensary…he’d flip it in no time…legally
This brightened my day. And made me tear up and smile at the same time. Go be kind is the message for today.
Noe this story seems sincere unlike the mother of the boy who was gunned down. She seemed not humble and angry. This man was real and genuine.
And rightfully so. He’s homeless. If he can’t get a spot in the shelter he can sleep in the car. I know it looks bad but it’s better than a shelter.
?I will not press play…just got my lashes done!
Pursuit of Happyness was one of the dumbest films I have ever seen. In the movie, Will Smith made one idiotic decision after another.
People need to realize most people are homeless for a reason and money is not the answer. If this child’s father is mentally ill or addicted to drugs, throwing money at him isn’t going to solve his problem.
Ok like he has to be shitty clean in a damn shelter! And if he would have had a haircut, then they would have been like “he doesn’t look homeless”. Smh.
Peace and blessings to them both and to everyone that found it in their heart to donate.
That’s so nice… i wish someone would gofund me and my student loans…..
It’s nothing wrong with holding each other accountable. He was discovered by a journalist. The journalist felt he was credible. I think we owe him that. This is why we losing our children to the system and black men are either on drugs in prison, or just not working because we keep making excuses. This ignorance that we keep supporting is getting tired. 60% of black women may be single but they got some form of education at least a high school diploma. It’s the reverse effect for black men. I can respect a black man taking care his son reaching out for help.
Exactly she a rat and her actions were ratty. The baby father is a thug and they both got blood on their hands for that baby’s death. I don’t care if I sound judgemental if you my people then tell me when I’m wrong cheer me on when I’m right. Those are basic black fundamentals. This new age blackness where we hide behind ignorance and support this sudden rise of ratchedness is wrong. And our babies are suffering.
being a barber doesnt mean you should have the freshest hair cut .mayb he’s letting his son be like blue ivy.plus jus like machanics the best ones drives a beat up car but will fix a bently
But at least he got his son. Instead begging not knowing if his kids are hungry somewhere.
This is where black dollars belong. Talk about recycling our dollar.
Amen
Speak! I had to let a friend go…long a$$ story that needs to be made into a Lifetime movie…BUT anyway…I let his ass go because according to him I’m being “hard” on him. I told his a$$ I ain’t like these other mfs out here that’s gone cheer you on when you doing wrong…Ima let your ass know straight up and I’d hope you’d do the same for me.
Yes! I was telling my friend the other day. That’s one of the problems with Black folks…nobody wants to hear the TRUTH or be held accountable for their actions and play the blame game when they know damn well they caused their own problems.
Nothing amazing about it. People been leaving one place to go to another without knowing anything or anyone since the beginning of time. Wars, famine, no work, etc etc forced people to do it. It just became “scary” in the last few decades and now that we have welfare no one HAS to leave their comfort zone anymore.
I’ve done it four times now BUT I did have employment lined up. Lol people thought I was crazy each time but I know now that I can make it through anything.
Lol #dead…wonder how long the licensing process is?
Lol yes I hated that movie too. And I agree with you to a certain extent on WHY people become homeless especially after living in a place where I saw homelessness on the daily. BUT most people are one paycheck away from becoming homeless so I wouldn’t say it’s ALWAYS drugs, poor decisions, or mental illness. But that is a very, very, very, very small percentage of those that are. The whole mental illness situation along with drugs (as they usually go hand in hand) is a slippery slope and needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later.
Girl u making too much sense…
(LUDA VC)MP!!!!!?
I needed a laff after such a long day?
Chyle,you made me scream!!!!yer TRUTH hittin harder than the 15s in my ex’s Charger!!!!
BUT most people are one paycheck away from becoming homeless so I wouldn’t say it’s ALWAYS drugs, poor decisions, or mental illness. But that is a very, very, very, very small percentage of those that are.
_________________________
I used to volunteer at the Salvation Army on weekends. Most of the homeless people I encountered had substance abuse, mental issues or a combination of both.
There is a viaduct on the north side of Chicago where the homeless sleep, year-round.
One night I was walking my dogs when a brand new silver Mercedes Benz S-Class stopped under the aforementioned bridge, and out jumped a middle-aged woman dressed to nines.
I thought she was about to give them food or money, but she was begging her daughter to come home.
A lot of people are homeless by choice.
You are so right! I agree ?! I can’t say how sick I am of people saying don’t judge. I can judge the actions of a person. It’s called wisdom and discernment. When a person is stupid beyond belief it is what it is.
The same way you wouldn’t hire a drunken stranger to babysit…(in my Iyanla voice) Lets call the thing a thing, people!
Can you read? Because I know I wrote it’d a feel good story and I am praying. Peace be still in you soul. God bless you. No negative zone. You will be flagged for your use of language.
It was a comment I made not the gospel. I don’t understand how folks go for the negative. It was thought and I said it Jeez.
I don’t think it’s by choice…it’s because someone failed that person which comes back to having a mental illness. I know a lot of them were scared of people (because someone they trusted did them dirty…usually a gov employee, counselor, teacher, relative, etc etc) and would rather just be out with no responsibilities and alone. No one in their right mind would CHOOSE to be homeless…not knowing where they’re going to sleep or eat…that’s how I know those people are mental.
I know the health care system is f*cked up when it comes to mental health benefits (used to deal with it…one reason why I got out of it…depressing). They limit mental care services and make them not affordable. For example, a health plan may limit visits to 10/year but how would someone like it if they got cancer and they limited your visits to 10/year? This system is just f*cked and needs to be fixed…NOW.
Now Unita, you going to act like I said something way off course. Hugs
And I don’t know WHO would want to be homeless in Chicago lol…I know they’re seriously mental too.
My eyes were opened in San Diego to the homeless situation…never seen nothing like it. Funny because people always say how they love SD and it’s such a great place, but I saw just the opposite. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to SD…hated every minute of it.
Awww-aww. I bet he’s a really good man. All he needs is a good woman to give him a chance
I agree, man I said he he wasn’t no good.
Ha, I agree with you. I worked in shelters too. Children and women’s. The movie was okay and I am glad Chris the man the movie was based on.
This ain’t for you, but anyone that disagreed with my comment about his lack of a haircut can kiss 50 cent arse like like a granny Foxx. The very same people talk about kids hair. So what if you homeless, you can take pride in your grooming, focus on your child too.
If this had been a single blacknowomman folks would been saying all sorts of rude comments. Like she did do xyz and she should hace gotten up and did her daughters hair
This is my opinion and my thought process. Nobody has to agree with me
It’s been many of years ago I was working somewhere and this young lady was down on her luck. but this older lady was like you just gonna look like you don’t give a fugg too. Pull ur shiatt together, act like you care.
God Bless This man and his circumstances. Peace
? Chile look…I understand. I just had to add that tidbit. I have been around a shop (or kitchen or 2) and have seen some tow up stylists ’bout the head, but when you walked out of there, baybeeeee…
Hugs right back
Yes, I agree. I been to some stylist that are how can we say unkempt and I as I got to know them there who life was that way, which did take away from their skill set, but kept them from not progressing forward. I can’t eat in a nasty kitchen. NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE. My Esophagus and stomach ain’t set up like that. But we agree……Pinches your bootie
Wow! My sister had the same experience in San Diego. She said there were so many homeless people grouped in one area, that she actually smelled them before she saw them. ?
What up friend???? This job got me actually working. Cant do the things that are important in life like comment on blogs. Lol
Man listen…one time I walked down the sidewalk and saw some poop…I’m thinking to myself that doesn’t look like dog poop…of course it was human feces.
Lawd. Not the Pope mobile
Lol.
~keeps doing power squats and lunges~
?
Exactly lamb phony Troll, watch your language around here. It will not be tolerated. This is a family blog, now go comb your hair.
Omg I can’t stop crying :'(
Don’t you make me cry!!!
GOOD TO SEE YOU THO!!!!make your coins bew bew,you is missed!!!!????
I miss u 2. Might have to go back to the pole so i can keep up with my social media responsibilities. #priorities lol
Yuck! ?
Wow, what a humbling story! Very touching!
Wow, what a humbling story! Very touching!