The hidden history in Black genealogy
This team is restoring generations of overlooked African American genealogy, and people are discovering family histories they never knew they had.
Playgrounds are boring. Here’s how to make them fun again
One father in Portland, Oregon is helping design the parks of the future with inclusive playground equipment that makes play accessible to all.
The most advanced digital government in the world
Estonia was the first country to hold a nationwide election online, and the first to declare internet access a human right. Will other countries follow suit?
Should police respond to mental health crises?
As tensions between law enforcement and the public continue to rise, many are beginning to question whether all 911 calls warrant a visit from armed officers.
Exploring Earth’s final frontier with AUV technology
NASA engineers are using swarms of underwater drones to learn about our most important and least understood natural resource.
Can a wellness app really change someone’s life?
America has the highest per capita health spending in the world, and yet, worse population health outcomes than most other developed nations. This wellness app gets to the heart of the issue.
Not impossible: Ending hunger in America
Millions of households experience food insecurity in America. What if you could get a free meal simply by texting the word “Hungry”?
Cash bail keeps poor people in jail. Here’s how we fix it
Bail reformers say it’s unconstitutional for a person to be imprisoned because they can’t afford bail. Do bail bonds begin punishing the poor before they’re even found guilty?
How thread became critical in a pandemic
Tech giants have teamed up to help innovate the PPE supply chain and lessen the risk of future shortages, starting with the world’s leading thread supplier.
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Catalysts
How to get a job when you’re living in poverty
In this unique job training program for those experiencing poverty, coaches focus on teaching the “harder skills” – love, forgiveness, and connection.
Is police reform even possible?
Here are four things we can change to reduce police violence and increase accountability.
Want to save the planet? start with reinventing the motor
This highly efficient switched reluctance motor has the ability to save manufacturers millions of dollars and significantly reduce their carbon emissions.
How ‘mental time travel’ can lead us to sustainability
Bina Venkataraman, author of The Optimist’s Telescope, believes that modern society’s shortsightedness is the root of many avoidable catastrophes.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of internet
Should internet access be a human right? 42 million Americans still don’t have reliable access, but the pandemic has kickstarted initiatives to change that.
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Challengers
Disrupting the business of dying
Ever Loved is modernizing the funeral planning process with an all-in-one platform akin to “The Knot” for weddings, so that people can focus on honoring their loved ones.
This haptic suit lets you 'hear' music through your skin
It’s been nearly impossible for the deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing to experience live music together. The use of a haptic suit may finally change that.
Ford factory workers rally to build ventilators for a nation in need
Ford Motor Company is putting its equipment and employees to work to counteract the extreme ventilator shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robotic surgery unlocks a new era of medicine
The advancement of robotic surgery systems is expanding physical limitations to allow for minimally invasive procedures and improved patient recovery.
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Catalysts
From homeless to homeowner with a $6K fixer-upper
Acts Housing is empowering low-income families by offering resources for every step of the process, from financial counselors to home renovation support.
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Challengers
The driverless future of construction robotics
Innovation in the construction industry has been stagnant for decades, but the use of construction robotics could radically alter the way we build.