A Collection of Stories about Impact in Partnership with NowThis
Media & Journalism
Emerson Collective is partnering with NowThis to share stories of people, places, and issues that impact our lives. By raising awareness, we hope to inspire action and spur ideas for ways we can all be more involved in solving problems that are affecting so many communities.
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Immigration
Former Refugee Rep. Stephanie Murphy on Afghanistan Crisis
‘I’ve had the experience of being from a family that was persecuted’ — FL Rep. Stephanie Murphy opened up about arriving to the U.S. as a refugee following the Vietnam War and why she’s committed to helping allies remaining in Afghanistan.
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Equity & Justice
These States Expanded Voting Access in 2021
There’s a ‘fault line’ growing between U.S. states — while 21 states have passed restrictive voting laws, others like Kentucky are working to increase access to the ballot box.
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Immigration
TX Gov. Greg Abbott Says State Will Build Its Own Border Wall
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says the state will build its own border wall — here’s what’s wrong with that plan.
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Immigration
DREAMers Still Face Uncertain Future 9 Years After DACA
9 years after DACA, 800,000 DREAMers like Mayra still face an uncertain future
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Equity & Justice
Activists Band Together to Stop Gerrymandering in Their Community
‘Gerrymandering is a threat to our democracy' — With congressional districts set to be redrawn later this year, these activists are banding together to stop gerrymandering in their community.
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Immigration
Supreme Court Rules TPS Holders Can’t Get a Green Card
After a unanimous Supreme Court ruling, immigrants with temporary protected status (TPS) can no longer apply for a green card.
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Equity & Justice
Texas Democrats Walk Out to Block Voter Suppression Bill
Texas House Democrats walked out of the Capitol to prevent Republicans from passing a restrictive new voting bill.
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Immigration
400,000+ People Are at Risk of Losing Their Legal Status
‘If I don’t have TPS, I have to lose my job’ — Meet Erasmo Ramos, an essential worker who was on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and one of the nearly 400,000 people with temporary protected status who is at risk unless Congress acts
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Equity & Justice
The Fight for the Right to Vote Continues Today
‘The Constitution as written was deeply flawed, especially on the issue of voting rights’ — Adam Jentleson explains why the fight for voting rights is so important
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Immigration
Haitians in U.S. Granted Protected Status as Others Remain in Limbo
Haitians in the U.S. have been granted protected status — but the same cannot be said for thousands of others who are still in limbo
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Equity & Justice
Memphis’ Fight Against the Byhalia Pipeline
This Memphis community is rallying together to stop an oil pipeline that would devastate a neighborhood already plagued by environmental racism
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Environment
Fixing America's Broken Sanitation Systems
‘Most people don’t wanna think about sewage. They’d rather just flush and forget about it’ — Author Catherine Coleman Flowers explains why we need to fix America’s broken sanitation systems and how the climate crisis is only making matters worse.
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Immigration
Mother & Sons Separated Under Trump Admin Reunite
This Honduran mother was forcibly separated from her kids under the Trump admin — 3 years later, they're finally reuniting in the U.S.
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Immigration
Farmer Says Workforce Shortages Threaten His Harvest
‘Without these people, we wouldn’t function, and that’s the truth’ — This conservative asparagus farmer says that a shortage of migrant workers has impacted his harvest.
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Immigration
Immigration Expert Breaks Down the Situation at the Border
This immigration expert says the numbers don’t paint a full picture of the situation at the border — so he’s debunking common myths and providing more context.
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Equity & Justice
Activists Speak Out After Georgia GOP Passes Restrictive Voting Laws That Target Black Communities
‘Getting rid of Sunday voting is 100% an attack on the Black electorate’ — Activists are speaking out after Georgia Republicans passed legislation that would limit access to voting for Black communities.
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Civic Engagement
¿Cómo votar en Florida para que tu elección cuente? Wilmer Valderrama te lo explica
Para que tu voto cuente realmente en Florida, debes conocer todas sus variantes y lo que debes hacer para asegurar su validez. Wilmer Valderrama está aquí para explicártelo paso a paso.
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Civic Engagement
Francia Raísa: ¿cómo votar en Arizona para que tu elección realmente cuente?
En este video, la actriz Francia Raisa te cuenta todo lo que debes saber para votar de forma correcta en las elecciones del 3 de noviembre.
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Civic Engagement
Aaron Diaz te cuenta lo que debes hacer (y lo que no) para que tu voto en Texas sea válido
Hay todavía muchas preguntas sobre cómo votar en el estado de Texas para que tu elección realmente cuente. El actor Aaron Diaz tiene exactamente todo lo que debes tener en cuenta el día en que vayas a dejar tu voto.
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Civic Engagement
Kate Del Castillo: ¿Cómo votar de forma correcta en el estado de Nevada?
Para votar de forma correcta en el estado de Nevada, hay varias cosas a tener en cuenta. Por suerte, Kate Del Castillo está aquí para contarte, paso a paso, qué cosas debes saber.
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Civic Engagement
What's With the Long Lines Outside Polling Places?
‘Please don’t get out of line’ — Founder of Democracy Docket Marc Elias talks about the long lines outside polling places and which communities they affect most.
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Civic Engagement
Marc Elias: 7 Things to Know Before You #Vote
Founder of Democracy Docket Marc Elias shares 7 things you need to know before you #vote.
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Instagram
Simone Manuel on the Do's and Don'ts of Voting in Texas
2-time Olympic gold medalist @swimone is breaking down everything you need to know about voting in Texas.
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Instagram
Marc Elias: 8 Days Until Election Day
As the Senate moves to confirm Amy Coney Barrett, Democracy Docket founder Marc Elias breaks down the court cases going on around the country that could make a huge difference in the election.
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Civic Engagement
Mike Krzyzewski on the Do's and Don'ts of Voting in North Carolina
Let Duke's Coach K share the game plan for North Carolina voters today, the first day of early voting in the state.
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Civic Engagement
Jamie Foxx on How to Vote in Texas
Voting in Texas? Actor and TX native Jamie Foxx is breaking down everything you need to know ahead of the election.
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Environment
The Lasting Impact of the Trump Admin’s Environmental Policies
Trump has rolled back 100 environmental policies since taking office — former EPA Chief Gina McCarthy warns of what the lasting impact could be.
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Environment
Zach Galifianakis Explains How to Register to Vote in North Carolina
This Friday, Oct 9, is the last day to register to vote in North Carolina — so the state’s native son Zach Galifianakis is here to explain how.
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Civic Engagement
Caron Butler on Voting in Wisconsin
Former Milwaukee Bucks player Caron Butler is getting out the vote in Wisconsin with this helpful list of do's and don'ts.
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Civic Engagement
The Do's and Don'ts of Voting in Florida
NBA coach Doc Rivers is spreading the word with this list of helpful voting do’s and don’ts.
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Civic Engagement
Bradley Cooper on Do's and Don'ts of Voting in Pennsylvania
Live in Pennsylvania? Let PA native Bradley Cooper break down the do's and don'ts of voting for you.
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Civic Engagement
The Do's and Don'ts of Voting in Arizona
Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr is getting out the vote in Arizona with this list of helpful do’s and don’ts.
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Environment
Solar Panels Bring New Life to Struggling Farms
These solar panels are breathing new life into farms struggling amid trade wars, high commodity prices, and the climate crisis.
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Immigration
Florida Pastor Speaks Out on Voter Suppression in Hispanic Community
‘Elections aren’t built on intentions. Elections are built on action’ — This Florida pastor is speaking out against voter suppression within the Hispanic community.
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Environment, and COVID-19
How Air Pollution Exposes America's Racial Disparities
‘Just living here, I’m 2 times more likely to get cancer in my lifetime’ — This Pittsburgh-based environmental activist is exposing how air pollution is intrinsically linked to racial disparities in America.
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Environment, and COVID-19
Farmlands Threatened by Flooding Again Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Farmlands in the U.S. like Calvin Head’s are being threatened by flooding amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and experts say the climate crisis is partly to blame.
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Immigration
Why this musician needs DACA
‘It means that we can breathe a little bit easier now’ — Here’s what the Supreme Court ruling in favor of DACA means for plaintiffs like Emmanuel Ajomale
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Chicago CRED
Rev. Craig Nash Speaks Out About Policing in Black Communities
‘The fear and the mistrust goes so far back, and I almost wanna say it’s in our DNA’ — Community leader Rev. Craig Nash is speaking out about violent policing in Black communities, like his own in Chicago
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Immigration
This DACA Plaintiff Says DREAMers Are Essential During COVID-19
This doctor is one of 30,000 DACA recipients working in the health care industry. Now he's reminding the Supreme Court how essential DREAMers are, especially during crises like COVID-19.
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Equity & Justice
Can Donald Trump Actually Delay the 2020 Presidential Election?
Joe Biden is worried that Trump will try to delay the presidential election. Trump likely can’t do that — but that doesn’t mean voting will go off without a hitch in November.
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Equity & Justice
Stacey Abrams Fights For a Fair Count In The 2020 Census
‘The census delivers financial resources and political power, but only to those who are counted.’ — Stacey Abrams is doing everything in her power to make sure that every community gets counted in the 2020 census.
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Immigration
DACA Health Care Workers Await Supreme Court Ruling
‘My patients really don’t care about my immigration status’ — This nurse is one of 30,000 DACA recipients working on the front lines of COVID-19, but the Trump admin could change everything.
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Education
Remote Learning is Intensifying America's 'Homework Gap'
More than 50 million students were forced to switch to online learning because of COVID-19 — but for those without broadband access, the ‘homework gap’ is only getting worse.
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Education
Why All Students Deserve High-Speed Internet
‘Using the internet in my classroom is like sucking peanut butter through a straw’ — All students deserve high-speed internet, and Evan Marwell’s company is making it happen.
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Environment
Beach Erosion and High Water Levels Are Threatening Great Lakes Homes
‘It’s virtually impossible to separate what we’re seeing from climate change’ — From catastrophic shoreline erosion to flooded towns, here’s how record-high water levels are impacting Great Lakes residents.
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Immigration
Fugees Academy for Refugee Children Helps Kids Adapt, Grow, and Learn in Supportive Environment
'Any war that you have seen on TV in the last 20 years, we have a kid from that region' — This Ohio school for refugee students helps kids adapt, grow, and learn in a supportive environment.
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Equity & Justice
Mississippi Case Challenges Lifetime Felon Voting Ban
This foster dad and Little League coach is fighting to restore voting rights in Mississippi for people with previous felony convictions like him.
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Equity & Justice
This Teen Wants to Let 17 Year Olds Vote in the Primary Election
This soon-to-be 18-year-old will be eligible to vote in the November general election, but has no say in who the Democratic nominee will be. Now she’s fighting to change the law.
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Equity & Justice
Historian Carol Anderson on How Voter Suppression Targets Students & Black People
From voter ID laws to gerrymandering, this author breaks down all the voter suppression tactics that keep students and Black people from casting their ballots.
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Equity & Justice
This Restaurant Serves ‘Immigrant Food’ in Trump’s Backyard
This restaurant's unique menu lets customers buy lunch and donate to immigrant rights groups at the same time.
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Environment
Indigenous Rights Lawyer Sherri Mitchell on 'Environmental Racism'
'Indigenous peoples have been on the front lines of environmental racism for decades' — Indigenous rights lawyer and activist Sherri Mitchell explains why all Americans should care about environmental justice and Indigenous issues.
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Equity & Justice
How Americans' Votes Are Being Blocked in 2020
From dismissing mail ballots to name purging, here are the ways states stop eligible citizens from participating in the democratic process.
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Education
What Students and Teachers Need Most in 2020
The average teacher in America spends roughly $500 of their own money on school supplies every year — here’s how you can help out this holiday season.
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Immigration
Resisting Deportation: Meet Undocumented Mother Edith Espinal
Edith Espinal is an undocumented mother who has lived inside an Ohio church for two years resisting deportation — now, ICE is trying to get police to force her out.
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Environment
Year in Review: The Youth Climate Movement
‘You had a future! So should we!’ — 2019 was the year young people around the world stood up and demanded real climate action. These were the key moments for the youth climate movement.
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Equity & Justice
Mitch Landrieu on Why Racism Is the Most Troubling Issue in America
This former New Orleans mayor traveled to 13 states in the South to better understand racial injustice and white privilege — after speaking to hundreds of people, he launched an initiative to confront America's 'original sin'.
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Environment
Part 1: These Are The Climate Buzzwords You Need to Know
Greenhouse gases, carbon tax, decarbonization, oh my! If these climate crisis buzzwords have your head spinning, have no fear, we’re here to give you the 101.
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Environment
Part 2: These Are The Climate Buzzwords You Need to Know
Care about the climate but confused by the lingo? From fracking to carbon offset, here are 6 more climate terms you need to know.
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Environment
Meet the Farmers Facing the Climate Crisis
These farmers want to lead America’s agriculture industry into a profitable and sustainable future after seeing firsthand how the climate crisis is impacting their livelihoods.
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Environment
Former Navy Secretary Ray Mabus on the Climate Crisis and U.S. National Security
This former U.S. Navy secretary says the climate crisis is a threat to America’s armed forces and, ultimately, its national security overall
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Immigration
How ICE Flooded Louisiana’s Prison System with Asylum Seekers
Former jails are being turned into ICE detention centers across the Southern United States — this immigration attorney is fighting to provide legal assistance to imprisoned asylum detainees who face an uncertain fate
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Immigration
The Past, Present, and Future of Seeking Asylum in America
Here's how new policies are making it almost impossible to get asylum in the U.S., especially for people fleeing violence and poverty in Central America. This is how we got here and what you can do to help.
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Immigration
What Is DACA and Is the Immigration Policy About to End?
An entire generation of immigrants who came to the U.S. early in life have been able to grow up here, thanks to Obama's DACA program. This week, the Supreme Court is hearing cases that could change the fate of these nearly 1 million young people.
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Equity & Justice
Stockton, CA Mayor Michael Tubbs on Investing in Young People
‘Talent and intellect are universal, but…resources and opportunities are not.’ — Here’s what one of the youngest mayors in the nation is doing to combat economic inequality and empower young people in his city.
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Equity & Justice
Deo Niyizonkiza Built Health Initiative in Burundi Village After Surviving Genocide
Deo Niyizonkiza survived civil war in Burundi and escaped genocide in Rwanda. Now he’s helping communities heal from the traumas of war by expanding access to life-saving health care.