The Center for Media & Social Impact (CMSI), housed at American University’s School of Communication in Washington, D.C., is an innovation lab and research center that creates, studies, and showcases media for equity and social justice. Focusing on independent, documentary, entertainment, and public media, the Center bridges boundaries between scholars, media producers, social justice organizations, and communication practitioners. In 2017, CMSI launched The Laughter Effect, an ongoing research and creative initiative to study and produce convenings and creative efforts that address social justice issues through diverse, hilarious comedy.

Moore + Associates is a boutique creative agency in New York City. It believes that cultural change is critical to political change and that humor is an effective way to shift culture. Neither an advertising agency nor PR firm, its work exists in the growing space in between, providing clients and artists with new ways to succeed at the intersection of public policy, pop culture and new media. Humor has been key to its success at breaking down walls and catalyzing conversation. Moore + Associates works with actors, comedians, and other pop culture artists to use their talents to conceptualize and perform in its campaigns, and partners with writers, producers and managers in the creative process. For foundations and nonprofits seeking to understand and shift popular narratives, Moore + Associates develops cultural and narrative strategy plans that analyze the landscape and recommend ways to effectively intervene. http://mooreandassociates.co