Higher Ground, the media company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama, will receive the second annual Greg Berlanti Social Impact Award, the Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA announced Thursday. Berlanti will present the award during the sixth annual Teens & Screens Summit on Oct. 22 at UCLA’s Luskin Center.
“Higher Ground’s work reflects the power of storytelling to bring us closer to one another and expand our understanding of the world,” Berlanti said in a statement. “I’m honored to present this award to a company that puts those possibilities at the heart of its work and to celebrate its commitment to stories that can make a meaningful difference.”
Higher Ground’s head of business and strategy Joe Paulsen will accept the award. He has been with the company since its inception.
“We founded Higher Ground on the belief that we can entertain audiences while bringing overlooked voices and stories to the forefront,” Paulsen said in a statement. “To be recognized by the Center for Scholars & Storytellers and Greg Berlanti, whose work has opened doors for so many, is an honor. We’re grateful to the artists and collaborators who bring these stories to life and proud to share this recognition with them.”
The award honors storytelling that addresses important social issues and inspires positive change through compelling narratives with an emphasis on diverse representation and stories that resonate with teens and young adults, and the intentional use of creative platforms to advance empathy and social change.
Higher Ground’s credits include the documentary “American Factory,” “Crip Camp” and “Rustin.” The company’s podcasts include “IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson,” “The Wonder of Stevie” and “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man.”