Higher Ground to Receive Greg Berlanti Impact Award
The media company founded by the Obamas will be honored at the upcoming Teens & Screens Summit in Los Angeles.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Media
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The Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA will present Higher Ground with the second annual Greg Berlanti Social Impact Award on October 22, 2026. The production company, founded by Barack and Michelle Obama, was selected for its commitment to storytelling that inspires positive social change.
Why it matters
The award recognizes media entities that prioritize diverse representation and content tailored to teens and young adults. By highlighting these narratives, the organization aims to encourage production companies to address social issues through influential storytelling.
This is the second annual iteration of the Greg Berlanti Social Impact Award. The upcoming event is held in conjunction with the sixth annual Teens & Screens Summit.
The players
Higher Ground
This is a media company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama that focuses on producing content with social impact.
Greg Berlanti
He is a prominent television producer and writer known for his significant contributions to modern media and teen-oriented storytelling.
Joe Paulsen
He serves as the head of business and strategy for the production company Higher Ground.
Center for Scholars & Storytellers
This organization based at UCLA focuses on the intersection of academic research and the development of impactful media narratives.
The details
Joe Paulsen, the head of business and strategy for Higher Ground, will accept the honor during the ceremony. The presentation will take place at the Luskin Center located at UCLA.
Timeline
Thursday, October 15, 2026: The award recipient was formally announced.
October 22, 2026: The award will be presented at the Teens & Screens Summit.
Market Landscape
The award reinforces the growing industry trend of prioritizing mission-driven content that resonates with younger demographics. This highlights how production companies are increasingly competing for cultural relevance by aligning with social causes rather than focusing solely on traditional viewership metrics.
The recognition of this production company highlights the types of content being prioritized by major media institutions for younger audiences. Viewers can expect a continued focus on socially conscious narratives that align with the themes recognized by this industry award.
The takeaway
The selection of Higher Ground underscores the growing importance of teen-focused social impact in the modern media landscape. Audiences should monitor upcoming releases from recognized studios to observe how these social themes are translated into mainstream entertainment.
Further reading
For more on industry developments, visit the Los Angeles Media section.
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Do you trust that awards for social impact accurately reflect a media company's real-world influence?
