Obama meets student who inspired million dollar Humans of New York fundraiser

Chastanet also sat in Obama's chair at the Oval office

The young man, who had inspired the Humans of New York (HoNY) photo blog to launch a million dollar fundraiser to send children from a Brooklyn school to Harvard, was invited to meet US President Barack Obama on Thursday.

Thirteen-year-old Vidal Chastanet, who attends Mott Hall bridges Academy in Brooklyn, had in January inspired the popular photo blog HoNY to post Chastanet's story and what influence did principal Nadia Lopez have on his life.



                          Vidal Chastanet. PHOTO: HUMANS OF NEW YORK

"When we get in trouble, she doesn't suspend us...she told each one of us that we matter, the boy explained to Stanton.

After his story went viral with over 1 million likes and shares on social media, HoNY founder Brendon Standon and Lopez launched a fundraising campaign on Indiegogo which raised more than $1.2 million.

The funds will pay for students’ yearly visits to Harvard, support summer programs and provide scholarships.

After hearing their story, Obama invited them to the White House, and on Thursday Chastanet met the most important man in the World and sat in his chair in the Oval Office.

Stanton, who also went along to the White House, posted the following photo from the visit: