The American civil rights movement was unfolding in real time — in churches and streets, on buses and courthouse steps — when photographer Steve Schapiro began documenting it. From Selma to Mississippi, Harlem to the Deep South, his photographs captured not only historic leaders including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., James Baldwin, and Rosa Parks, […]
It’s been 14 years since George Eddy died as an infant. Reflecting on his son’s life still brings his father, Sean, to tears. “Our son George was born with a complex medical situation,” he recalls. “We were told he would be with us for maybe a matter of hours or days. Remarkably, he lived for […]
Breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s research are giving patients and families new hope through earlier detection, faster diagnosis, and treatments that slow the disease’s progression. These advances are the result of a sustained team effort among scientists, healthcare providers, advocacy organizations, and high-profile champions from Princess Yasmin Aga Khan to Julianne Moore — all working toward a shared goal […]
Trusted community connections and measurable social impact were on display during a recent American Red Cross Community Adaptation Program (CAP) tour in Monterey County, California, where seven- and eight-figure donations demonstrated how strategic philanthropic investment can strengthen communities long before disasters occur. Enabled by donors who operate as angel investors — also described as venture […]
As demand for basic assistance rises and public funding becomes less predictable, nonprofits providing essential services are filling the gaps. That was the clear message from leaders of four of Chicago’s largest social-service organizations at a panel hosted by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Their conversation reflected a broader reality playing out across […]
Mindfulness is all the rage these days, and for good reason. Focusing on the moment can improve our well-being, foster compassion, and help our relationships. What about going beyond the present moment? Yes, thinking about the future can trigger anxiety—but a growing body of research suggests that it can also make our lives more meaningful. Humans aren’t alone […]
Isn’t every holiday movie a Greater Good movie? That is to say—aren’t they all movies that highlight acts of generosity, empathy, compassion, reconciliation, or gratitude? Alas, no. Or at least, not all of them are very insightful about human goodness or adept at conveying how we become better. We’re sure most readers are familiar with the hits, […]
As the holidays get underway, many of us look for ways to make someone else’s season brighter. And there’s science behind why that makes us feel so good. Research shows that acts of generosity — from gift giving to financial support — increase happiness more than spending on ourselves. At Better, we’re dedicated to simplifying […]
More than 60 years after The Beatles changed pop culture forever, their influence continues to unfold across stages, galleries, and screens. From Paul McCartney’s Got Back Tour to a newly revealed archive of his 1963–64 photography, an expanded edition of The Beatles Anthology, new 2026 tour dates for Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band, and more, […]
When visionary composer and conductor Steve Hackman woke from a dream pairing history’s greatest symphonist with one of today’s defining pop artists, he had no idea it would lead to a movement redefining the concert experience. That dream becomes reality this fall when Beethoven X Beyoncé debuts at Chicago’s Harris Theater — a one-night-only performance […]
