The Heising-Simons Foundation is proud to regularly see its grantee partners featured in media outlets across the country, providing an expert voice on a timely issue or being highlighted for their accomplishments and hard work. Here are some news items that have featured our grantees in January 2020.

Teachers Lean on Each Other to Rise Above and Beyond During Pandemic to Support Dual Language Learners
New America, January 27, 2021
This article highlights the work of grantee SEAL in equipping educators to best serve the educational needs of dual-language learners in California, where classrooms continue to be virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SEAL is supported by the Foundation’s Education program.

The Trans Agenda for Liberation: How President Biden Can Help the Trans Community
Teen Vogue, January 27, 2021
In this opinion piece, the Transgender Law Center describes how the new Biden administration could improve the lives and safety of transgender people. The Transgender Law Center is supported by the Foundation’s Human Rights program.

Why the Death Penalty Is Dying: A New Book Tells the Surprising Story
The New York Times, January 26, 2021
Anand Giridharadas has reviewed Maurice Chammah’s “Let the Lord Sort Them,” a book about the “rise and fall of the death penalty.” Chammah is a staff writer at The Marshall Project, supported by the Foundation’s Human Rights program.

Futuro Studios Is Having a Moment
Vulture, January 26, 2021
This piece highlights Futuro Media Group’s newest creative division, focusing on original podcasts and programming designed to give voice to diverse American experiences. Futuro Media Group is supported by the Foundation’s Community and Opportunity program.

San Jose Advocates Call Biden’s Immigration Plan Unjust
San Jose Spotlight, January 21, 2021
The advocacy work of Latinos United for a New America (LUNA) in San Jose, California, is featured in this article about the Biden administration’s plan for immigration reform. LUNA is supported by the Foundation’s Community and Opportunity program.

Georgia Black Women Leaders On ‘Saving Democracy’ By Helping Flip Senate, Fueling Biden-Harris Win
ABC News, January 21, 2021
“We knew that we needed to educate our folks to get out and vote and make a difference. … and that it was urgent,” Marilynn Winn, co-founder and executive director of Women on the Rise, says in this article about the historic grassroots effort to register people to vote in the state of Georgia. Women on the Rise is supported by the Foundation’s Human Rights program.

Biden Rejoins Paris Climate Accord, Works to Overturn Trump’s Climate Policies
The Washington Post, January 20, 2021
Resources for the Future is quoted in this article about the United States rejoining the Paris climate accord. Resources for the Future is supported by the Foundation’s Climate and Clean Energy program.

‘It’s Not Inevitable That This Will Be Unjust’: A Q&A With Shalanda Baker On Energy Justice
WBUR, January 20, 2021
Shalanda Baker is the co-founder of Initiative for Energy Justice, an organization led by lawyers of color who work with frontline communities and policymakers to design and implement energy policies focused on equity. This interview covers Ms. Baker’s work and her new book, “Revolutionary Power: An Activist’s Guide to the Energy Transition.” Initiative for Energy Justice is supported by the Foundation’s Climate and Clean Energy program.

Dr. Andrea Ghez, Only the Fourth Woman to Win the Nobel Prize for Physics, Shows the Rarity of High-Achieving Women in Science
Ms. Magazine, January 19, 2021
Dr. Andrea Ghez, winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize for Physics, is the subject of this piece that examines the challenges women and people of color from entering science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Dr. Ghez’s work is supported by the Foundation’s Science program.

On MLK Day, Rev. Barber Calls On President-Elect Biden to ‘Invest’ In All People
The News & Observer, January 19, 2021
This piece recaps a virtual event commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday held by the Poor People’s Campaign, a national movement co-founded by Rev. William J. Barber II. Barber is the president of Repairers of the Breach, which is supported by the Foundation’s Human Rights program.

Federal Court Scraps Trump Administration’s Power Plant Rule
The Washington Post, January 19, 2021
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the Environmental Law & Policy Center (the Center) are quoted in this article about a federal appellate court’s decision to strike down the Trump administration’s Clean Power Plan replacement. EDF and the Center are supported by the Foundation’s Climate and Clean Energy program.

San Jose’s Black Leaders Reflect on Martin Luther King, Kamala Harris
San Jose Spotlight, January 18, 2021
African American Community Services Agency is among those quoted in this article celebrating the historic nature of this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, as the nation welcomes Kamala Harris to serve as U.S. vice president. African American Community Services Agency is supported by the Foundation’s Community and Opportunity program.

Biden and Immigration: How to Push the Administration on Immigrant Rights
Teen Vogue, January 14, 2021
Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) co-authored this piece offering actionable steps to advance immigrant rights and “undo the harms of an immigration system that has thrived on criminalization.” IDP is supported by the Foundation’s Human Rights program.

Progressives Gear Up For Broad New Push On Climate Action
NPR, January 13, 2021
The Green New Deal Network is a coalition of progressive groups that are organizing across the nation to “mobilize around climate change, racial and environmental justice, making a new unified push as President-elect Joe Biden is days away from taking office with Democrats set to control both the House and the Senate.” The Green New Deal Network is supported by the Foundation’s Climate and Clean Energy program.