Perfect position for Barack and Michelle Obama to receive the Greg Berlanti Social Impact Award

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 and Storytellers at UCLA announced Thursday. Berlanti will present the award at the sixth annual Teens & Screens Summit on Oct. 22 at UCLA's Luskin Center. "Higher Ground's work reflects […]

The Center for Scholars and Storytellers at UCLA announced Thursday that Higher Ground, the media company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama, will receive the second annual Greg Berlanti Social Impact Award. Berlanti will present the award at the sixth annual Teens & Screens Summit on Oct. 22 at UCLA's Luskin Center.

"Higher Ground's work demonstrates the power of storytelling to bring us closer together and expand our understanding of the world," Berlanti said in a statement. I'm proud to present this award to a company that puts these possibilities at the heart of its work and celebrates its commitment to stories that can make a meaningful difference. RELATED STORIES What's on Netflix in October 2026 'Under Siege,' Netflix's second ambitious Colombian series — a 'massive undertaking even by our standards' — bows Nov. 6

Joe Paulsen, Higher Ground's head of business and strategy, accepts the award. He has been with the company since its inception. Popular in Variety

"We founded Higher Ground with the belief that we can entertain audiences while bringing overlooked voices and stories to the fore," Paulsen said in a statement. "It is an honor to be recognized by the Center for Scholars and Storytellers and Greg Berlanti, whose work has opened doors for so many. We are grateful to the artists and collaborators who bring these stories to life, and are proud to share this recognition with them."

The award celebrates storytelling that addresses important social issues and inspires positive change through compelling narratives with an emphasis on representation and diverse stories that resonate with teens and young adults, and the intentional use of creative platforms to advance empathy and social change.

Higher Ground's works include the documentary "American Factory", "Crip Camp" and "Rustin". The company's podcasts include "IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson," "Stewie's Wonder," and "Fella Kuti: Fear No One."