PBS NewsHour - Brief But Spectacular

Kevin J. Patel is a climate activist from Los Angeles. After experiencing heart issues due to poor air quality in his city, he founded OneUpAction International, an organization intended to empower marginalized youth to be change-makers. He gives his Brief But Spectacular take on giving climate activism a shot. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Yuval Noah Harari is a professor renowned for his broad and thought-provoking perspectives on human history. Harari, who is the bestselling author of "Sapiens," recently released a new volume of this work for younger readers. He gives his Brief But Spectacular take on what it means to be human. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Entrepreneur and author Derrick Fennell has been a flight attendant for more than 14 years. Many of his passengers know him for his in-flight poems reflecting on his time in the skies. Fennell shares one of his poems and his Brief But Spectacular take on the miracle of flight. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Joan Wicks is a sixth-grade humanities teacher in Los Angeles who helped her students rebound from COVID learning loss through her devotion and advocacy. The school was recently recognized with the California Distinguished Schools Award. Wicks shares her Brief But Spectacular take on inspiring a love of learning. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For more than two decades, Vermont-based photographer Jim Westphalen has documented old farmhouses, barns, churches and homes that have fallen into disrepair -- he calls it "finding beauty in decay." His works are collected in a book and film, both titled "Vanish: Disappearing Icons of a Rural America." Westphalen shares his Brief But Spectacular take on the vanishing structures of rural America. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

David Miles Jr., known as "The Godfather of Skate," has been the driving force behind the roller skating scene in the Bay Area of California for the past four decades. He's known for making skating accessible through the Church of 8 Wheels, a funky roller rink in an old church. He gives his Brief But Spectacular take on spreading "Rolligion." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Brandon Stosuy is the author of several books on creativity and the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Creative Independent. His latest book, "Sad Happens: A Celebration of Tears," began when Brandon noticed someone crying in public and decided to tweet about it. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on crying in public. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and best-selling author whose latest book seeks to unlock the secret language of communication. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on super communication. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Adrian Antao is a high school English teacher at KIPP NYC. Adrian has worked with educators, coders and designers at the nonprofit Playlab.ai to develop Project Toni, an AI tool to support his students with their writing revisions. While many are worried about using AI in the classroom, Adrian has found real benefits. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on harnessing AI in schools. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Lul Mohamud is the executive director of The Person Center, a nonprofit organization that supports survivors of domestic violence. The daughter of Somali immigrants, Mohamud focuses her work on helping those from the African immigrant and refugee community in the Washington, D.C. area. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on the power and promise of person-centered care. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

After experiencing a personal tragedy, Joyal Mulheron founded Evermore, a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the policies and practices surrounding bereavement care. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on why every loss matters. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Akiima Price has dedicated her life to getting people outdoors. As founder of The Friends of Anacostia Park in Washington, D.C., she aims to improve the park and the lives of those who live in the community. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on the power of nature. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Valor Collegiate Academy in Nashville encourages students to share what's going on in their lives and to accept support, creating what they call a community of care. We hear from high school teacher Natalie Nikitas and Valor students as they give their Brief But Spectacular take on building trust at school. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Rachael Ortiz-Marsh is the co-owner of the Tennessee Trojans, a women's tackle football team in Nashville. She founded the team in 2022 with her wife, Tessa, to build community and break barriers for women through sports. Ortiz-Marsh shares her Brief But Spectacular take on building a team. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Wynette Smith is the long-time owner of Starlet Dance Studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Despite facing a range of challenges, she says she keeps the studio alive for the generations of dancers who keep coming back. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on the art of dance. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Karen Vallejos is the executive director of the Dream Project, dedicated to supporting students whose immigration status may pose challenges to their academic aspirations. As a former undocumented student herself, Vallejos saw the barriers in place that prevent immigrant students from realizing their dreams. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on Dreamers pursuing higher education. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Joya Powell is an award winning choreographer, activist and educator whose work focuses on community and the African diaspora. She is the founder of Movement of the People Dance Company, a group that addresses socio-cultural injustices through dance. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on dance as activism. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Vint Cerf is known for his pioneering work as one of the fathers of the internet. He now serves as the vice president and chief internet evangelist for Google where he furthers global policy development and accessibility of the internet. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on the future of the internet. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Andrés González is a conductor, musician, and advocate for youth music education. He was trained from a young age through El Sistema, a renowned music program in Venezuela, before moving to the United States. He is a mentor at Play on Philly, providing access to music education to low-income and minority students. González shares his Brief But Spectacular take on how music empowers communities. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Anastacia-Reneé is a writer, educator and interdisciplinary artist. In collaboration with New York City's Lincoln Center, she performs pieces from "Side Notes from the Archivist," her new book that explores five decades of American history through her perspective as a Black, queer feminist. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on legacy and poetry. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Raj Jayadev is a MacArthur Fellow and founder of an organization which supports people who have been through the criminal justice system. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on how to protect your people. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Over the last five years, more than 170 churches have joined Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III's mission to address disenfranchisement and food insecurity. Rev. Brown shares his Brief But Spectacular take on nourishing the mind, body and soul. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Jonathan McCrory has served as the artistic director at the National Black Theatre for over ten years. Along the way, he earned three Obie Awards, the highest honor for off-Broadway theater. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on love, joy and the pursuit of happiness. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Steven Waldman is the founder and president of Rebuild Local News, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to counter the collapse of local news and strengthen local democracy. He is also the co-founder of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in newsrooms across the country. Waldman shares his Brief But Spectacular take on how to rebuild local news. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders