Safe, stable housing is a fundamental human right, yet millions across the U.S. face housing insecurity, homelessness, or displacement due to systemic inequality, policy challenges, and economic pressures. This February, the Samuel Lawrence Foundation’s "First Fridays" series tackles the critical issue of the housing crisis with an expert panel of advocates, policymakers, and scholars. Together, they will uncover the barriers to addressing this growing crisis and propose pathways for meaningful change.

Join us for an engaging discussion featuring:

Tamar Ezer: Faculty Director of the Human Rights Program/ Associate Director of the Human Rights Clinic, University of Miami School of Law

Rob Robinson: Senior Advisor at Dignity and Rights and USA-Canada Coordinator for the International Alliance of Inhabitants

Senator Catherine Blakespear: California State Senator representing the 38th District

Jessie Speer: Author; Assistant Professor at the London School of Economics

This thought-provoking event will delve into the systemic and political challenges that prevent meaningful progress on housing reform, highlighting both the domestic and global implications of the housing crisis, including environmental disasters. Panelists will explore innovative solutions, from grassroots advocacy and community organizing to legislative reform and international models of housing justice.

Live on Friday, February 7th on our platforms, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Join us for a special edition of our First Fridays Webinar, where we’ll take a deep, reflective look back on the powerful moments that defined our webinar series.

This month, we’re not just revisiting key topics—we’re examining how these conversations have shaped our understanding of the pressing issues that are at the heart of the Samuel Lawrence Foundation’s mission. From the dangers of nuclear waste to the transformative power of education, the arts, and science, we’ll highlight the most impactful moments from the past year, featuring some of the brightest minds and thought leaders from around the world.
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In this unique session, we’ll explore how the work we’ve done in the First Friday's Series intersects with the Foundation’s core values—advancing justice, environmental sustainability, and societal change. You’ll hear from experts, advocates, and activists who have sparked new ways of thinking about complex challenges, and who continue to inspire hope and action. This webinar is not just a reflection; it’s an opportunity to connect with a community committed to making real change in the world. We’ll also look ahead to 2025, as we continue to push boundaries and drive innovation in the work we do together.
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We hope you’ll join us. Together, we can reflect, celebrate, and chart the path forward for a more equitable and sustainable future.

This is a conversation you won't want to miss!

“Education Innovation” introduced us to four visionaries whose work around the globe is being lauded for cutting-edge education.

Our panel featured the following accomplished educators:

Dr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade, Chair of Latinx Studies, San Francisco State University - Dr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade has taught in East Oakland for decades and has earned huge recognition as a model educator by his peers.

"Education should empower students to connect with their sacred purpose and transform their lives."

Paige Morency, Director of Outreach and Communications, Basic Education Coalition - Paige directs the Basic Education Coalition (BEC), a consortium of nearly 40 globally known organizations in the education space (from Save the Children to the International Rescue Committee).

"We work to ensure that all children and youth have equitable access to quality education globally."

Dr. Jelani Nelson, Chair of Computer Science Division, UC Berkeley - In addition to teaching math at Cal-Berkeley, Dr. Jelani Nelson is also committed to teaching coding skills to those in Ethiopia and Jamaica and has been awarded by the Obama administration.

"We’re inspiring a generation of tech leaders."

Mohammed Rezwan, Executive Director, Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha (Floating Schools of Bangladesh) - an architect by trade, Mohammed developed floating classrooms to ensure that education is never washed away in his flood-prone country which has resulted in his several world prizes.

"Education should create better human beings who understand selflessness and contribute to a sustainable society."

These four esteemed and highly accredited educators shared their insights on improving global education systems, addressing equity, and the role of education in affecting social change. Watch the full episode to learn from these world-renowned experts and hear their perspectives on what’s working in education today, and how we can build a better tomorrow.

The country we live in — and the world outside our borders, as well — is very divided. Certain issues on which we all have quite strong feelings seem — and indeed in fact may be — unbridgeable. And that is where the arts can play such a powerful role.

The beauty, precision, and craftsmanship of works of art — whether visual arts, like painting and sculptures, or performing arts, such as music and dance — offer audiences entertainment that soars, and that touches the heart, triggering a range of human emotions.

Tune in to watch five exceptional thinkers, whose connection to the arts is purpose driven, and who will help articulate to the audience watching how arts can give us insights into our society — and even help unlock the mysteries about ourselves that we struggle to understand.

World Oceans Day is one of the bigger social awareness days on the social-good calendar. In this month's panel, we will explore our oceans health, tapping into the expertise of our panelists, who will give us a perspective from scientific, academic, and cultural lenses.

Matthias Egger is an executive at The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit organization that is trying to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and rid the oceans of plastics.

Kim McCoy, an international oceanographer known for his environmental design and geopolitical expertise in over 40 science projects, including nine Polar expeditions, co-authored the new Patagonia edition of the surfer bible "Waves and Beaches."

Emilie McGlone is the director of Peace Boat US, a nonprofit and nongovernmental organization that leads scientific expeditions all around the planet.

Diana Nyad is a world-renowned athlete who is the first — and only — person to swim from Havana, Cuba, to Key West, Florida, a journey captured in last year's Oscar-nominated film "Nyad."

Captain Paul Watson is an environmentalist who founded the Sea Shepherd, an anti-poaching and direct action group, and now runs the Captain Paul Watson Foundation for marine conservation.

From our esteemed panel we'll learn about global oceanic systems and what we can do to mitigate further damage.

While many countries and companies regularly host State of the Union and State of the Corporation meetings to update their constituents and stakeholders on their progress, there's a notable absence of a State of the Earth event focusing on the planet's overall health, strengths, and weaknesses.

In our State of the Earth, we brought together a panel of experts representing the “four P's”: People, Planet, Policy, and Purpose.

Kristy Drutman is the founder of Browngirl Green. Kristy turns climate doom into humor, healing chats, and educational tools for action. She is also the co-founder of the Green Jobs Board, a community of 100,000+ members committed to building careers in climate work.

Patricia Sims co-founded World Elephant Day in 2012. World Elephant Day is a rallying call to stop illegal poaching and the trade of ivory. Patricia has built a global awareness movement that's resulted in partnerships with 100 conservation organizations worldwide and reached countless individuals across the globe.

John Holm is the Senior Vice President of Partnership Development at Pyxera Global. John and his team work to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems by fostering enabling environments and removing barriers to inclusion while preserving and protecting cultural heritage and knowledge.

Mayte Gonzalez is the Head of Human Rights in Conservation for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Mayte has been involved in the creation and implementation of environmental legislation including Panama's the National Wildlife Law, the National Law for Aquaculture and the Law for the Coiba National Park.

Our guests' inspiring work will certainly leave you feeling that our planet is in good hands.

What’s the status of the nuclear waste currently stored on site at San Onofre (SONGS)? What does it mean for a nuclear plant to be decommissioned? Is radiation still a concern for the surrounding community? Is San Onofre safe?

As advocates for a safe and sustainable future for Southern California, SLF is thrilled to invite you to our upcoming First Fridays webinar, "The San Onofre Briefing: The Latest on SoCal's Shut Down Nuclear Power Plant." This event will take place tomorrow, February 2, at 11:30 am PST.

Join us for a comprehensive exploration of the recent developments surrounding the decommissioning of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). Our expert panel – including a retired Admiral of the U.S. Navy and the Former Chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission – will delve into the current status, environmental impact, and public health implications of the shut down nuclear site.

This is a conversation you won't want to miss!

This live, open discussion provides a unique opportunity to hear directly from participants at the forefront of the UN’s annual climate conference, COP28, hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Dubai.

The Live from Dubai webinar features distinguished guests actively working on impactful solutions: Deirdre White, CEO of the international development nonprofit Pyxera Global; Kneyone Murray, young entrepreneur and CEO of Kneyzeus Energy in Trinidad and Tobago; Noa Gafni, Professor at Columbia University’s Climate School; Francois Rogers, Executive Director of the nonprofit Blue Planet Alliance, partner of the Samuel Lawrence Foundation.

38,000 attendees will have the opportunity to hear insights from these experts and discover the promise of hope they bring to the climate challenges we face.

The recent dumping of 250,000 gallons of radioactive wastewater from Fukushima has garnered global outcry about the effects of adding radioactivity to our ecosystem.

Learn about the consequences of radioactive exposures, studied by University of South Carolina Professor of Biological Sciences, Timothy Mousseau, PhD, and discover more about the effects of exposures to radionuclides such as tritium and many others.  

“There’s a very clear link between the health of our oceans and the health of people,” says University of Hawaii Marine Biology Professor, Robert Richmond, PhD. “Human health and environmental health are tied together.”

The Samuel Lawrence Foundation is pleased to welcome Blue Planet Alliance Founder Henk Rogers and Stanford University's Professor Mark Z. Jacobson to our monthly First Friday webinar Aug. 4.

Moderating the discussion is Lance Gould, founder and CEO of Brooklyn Story Lab.

According to a UN report, we have less than seven years to change our destructive habits before we cause permanent harm to the planet. Our speakers will show that a sustainable future with renewable energy is entirely within reach.

You’re invited to the Samuel Lawrence Foundation’s June 2nd First Friday Series Zoom briefing designed for members of Congress, their staffs, relevant federal agencies, and the media. It features leading indecent experts who have critically analyzed nuclear power’s potential role in fighting climate change.

The Samuel Lawrence Foundation, in partnership with Environmental Working Group, proudly presents renowned atmospheric scientist, Professor Brian Toon, in this informative Zoom webinar titled "Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange."

The webinar was broadcasted live on April 7th at 11:30 am PST / 2:30 pm EST, and features Professor Toon, providing a scientific assessment of the environmental risks and global impact of a nuclear exchange. The event was be moderated by Dr. Paul Dorfman, Chair of Nuclear Consulting Group and Research Fellow at SPRU University of Sussex, UK.

This February 3rd, Please join us in speaking with physicists Edwin Lyman PhD, Union of Concerned Scientists, who will address security risks at our local San Onofre nuclear waste site.

Filmmaking is more than just a medium for visual entertainment — it’s a powerful tool for storytelling that moves, captivates, and often, transforms us. In this January’s webinar, we explore the profound impact of film on human emotion and its role in shaping culture, identity, and society. Join us for an exciting conversation with filmmakers and storytellers who are pushing the boundaries of how we tell stories through motion picture.

Our expert panelists include:​

Taye Balogun, Founder of the NGO International Film Festival, which highlights films that explore global social issues, fostering dialogue and connection through cinema.

Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri, an accomplished filmmaker whose work includes collaborations with icons like David Bowie, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga. She brings a unique perspective on how film intersects with culture and emotion.

Bruno Smadja, Founder of the Mobile Film Festival, which celebrates the power of storytelling through mobile phones and provides a platform for filmmakers to share their perspectives with the world.

Sona Tatoyan, Actor/Writer/Storyteller and Founder of the non-profit Hakawati, whose multimedia play about her family’s history in Syria and Armenia — produced by actor Bill Pullman — blends film, theater, and storytelling to preserve her heritage and critique societal issues through art.

Together, these innovators and visionaries will discuss the transformative power of film, from personal narratives to global storytelling, and explore how cinema can shape emotional connections, provoke thought, and foster empathy.

Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into the world of filmmaking as an emotional catalyst for change and artistic expression. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, a lover of the arts, or simply curious about the impact of film, this webinar will leave you inspired and thoughtful about the ways storytelling shapes our world.

Join us on January 10th to explore how emotion in motion can make all the difference in storytelling.

If a language disappears, what is lost along with it? Once a language disappears — along with the knowledge of the elders who speak it — whole swaths of wisdom disappear, too. And that is precisely what is happening in the Amazon right now, as well as in many Indigenous communities around the world.



It is universally acknowledged that Indigenous people have a special relationship with the land, and that they are considered the finest stewards of the environment. So we must act to preserve this Indigenous knowledge, first morally and anthropologically — to honor the cultures and societies under threat of cultural extinction — and second because preserving that knowledge has potential benefits for the common good of us all.



Join us to hear panelists that include:



Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri, a filmmaker who has worked extensively with Beyonce, David Bowie, and Lady Gaga, and is now turning her attention to films about Indigenous communities.



Dr. Philbert Aaron, Dominica’s Ambassador to the UN, who survived the deadly Hurricane Maria with his wife and seven-week-old.



Joseph McNeil, Jr., who is a direct descendant of Sitting Bull and a Civil Rights hero from the 60s.



Atossa Soltani, the Founder and President of Amazon Watch, a nonprofit founded in 1996 to protect the rainforest and advance the rights of indigenous peoples of the Amazon Basin.

The struggles we’re experiencing in the United States are undeniable — but we’re not alone. As the UN Foundation noted in an op-ed earlier this year, “Choose a country — any country — and you will likely find the same trends: Trust in public institutions is plummeting, wealth inequality is on the rise, and societies are increasingly polarized.”



It is in an effort to navigate this mistrust in institutions — and in each other — that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is convening in September the “Summit of the Future,” a convening of world leaders to adopt the Pact for the Future. That Pact notes that, while “We are at a time of profound global transformation [and] too many of our fellow human beings face avoidable suffering” … this is also a moment of hope and opportunity. …



Advances in knowledge, science, technology, and innovation … could deliver a breakthrough to a better and more sustainable future for all.” So with that in mind, we have assembled a panel of experts who share with us a vision of the Solutions of the Future — solutions that address climate, energy, health, and other intractable problems. Solutions to inspire us and give us hope that all is far from lost, but instead — if we choose wisely — exciting and full of opportunity.

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Join our First Friday Webinar hour at 11:30 a.m. PST (2:30 p.m. EST) on July 12th (July 4 delayed a week) for an in-depth primer on the critical issues surrounding radioactive waste as we gear up for the July 24th symposium at UC San Diego "Radioactive Waste: Growing Dangers, Emerging Solutions," hosted by the Samuel Lawrence Foundation in cooperation with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 

This stunning webinar serves as a crucial introduction to our upcoming (7/24) symposium, where attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of real dangers and challenges posed by 3.6 million pounds of radioactive waste on the beach at San Onofre, CA.  We will explore actionable solutions for a safer future.

Speakers:

Kate Brown, Professor, History of Science, MIT

Stephanie Cooke, Journalist, Writer, New York Times, Associated Press, Nucleonics Week, NuclearFuel, Inside N.R.C., Business Week, Energy Intelligence, Nuclear Intelligence Weekly

Paul Dorfman, Chair of NuclearConsult, Visiting Fellow, Science Policy Research Unit, Sussex Energy Group, University of Sussex

Richard Gersberg, Professor / Head of the Division, Environmental Health in the School of Public Health, San Diego State University (SDSU)

Gary Headrick, Co-Founder, San Clemente Green

Susan Hito-Shapiro, Environmental Attorney

Robert H. Richmond, Research Professor and Director, Kewalo Marine Laboratory, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Leona Morgan, Co-Founder, Haul No! and Indigenous Organizer Fighting Nuclear Colonialism 

Experts warn of irreversible environmental damage if we don't shift away from fossil fuels immediately. Nuclear energy is often hailed as a solution to our reliance on fossil fuels, but its radioactive waste is a danger to human and environmental health, a toxic byproduct that lasts for thousands of years.

So what is the solution to our climate-crippling reliance on fossil fuels?

Enter Blue Planet Alliance, founded by Henk Rogers, the man who brought Tetris to the world. Blue Planet Alliance is a driving force behind Hawaii's commitment to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045. Their goal is to guide at least 50 islands toward a sustainable future and form a coalition to advocate for renewable energy solutions and environmental responsibility globally.


Tune in to this episode of "First Fridays" to hear from Henk Rogers, Racquel Moses, Jeff Mikulina, and Ramon Cruz as they lead the charge toward renewable energy transitions.

We’re living in a precarious era, one defined in the last half decade by a polycrisis of three Cs: COVID, climate, and conflict. And much of the worst elements of these crises have been exacerbated by poor leadership.

As the global climate gets increasingly worse, it’s worth noting that international climate conferences are dominated by men, like the UN COP conferences, where the heads of state of almost 200 countries are signatories to consequential treaties — and the number of them that are women are in the single digits.

And, as noted by Margot Wallström, Sweden’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, 130 international peace agreements were signed between 1990 and 2014, and women were signatories to just 13.

Meanwhile, the most compelling leadership in the handling of all of these crises has come from women: New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern won much praise throughout the world for her handling of the COVID emergency in her country. And women leadership in the climate space has been led by Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley and former President of Ireland Mary Robinson.

In honor of Women's History Month and International Women's Day, this episode of the Samuel Lawrence Foundation’s “First Fridays” highlights a panel of women leaders who have answers on how to move forward in a new way, with an emphasis on empowering, sensible solutions.

Watch now to hear from panelists who have a focus on educating the next generation of women and finding sustainable solutions for our economy, society, environment, and planet.

This is a conversation you won't want to miss!

We’re in a new year, which means we’re one year closer to 2030. That’s the deadline suggested by scientists and other experts as the date by which we need to make substantive changes to our way of life, or face potentially irreversible negative consequences.

Experts have been clamoring for solutions for this massive challenge. In this “First Fridays” episode, we’ll hear from people at all three of these organizations, with their fingers on the pulse of exactly the kinds of ideas that will pull us out of the mess we’re in. We’ll also meet two other solutionists, including the founder of an anti-racist lifestyle brand called America’s Hot Sauce. That’s the kind of warming we can live with!

Failing to take action will render our planet uninhabitable. But HOW do we do it? Is there a model we can use to show others how it's done? Yes there is!

Hawaii started deliberating over whether and how to transition to 100% renewable energy in 2009, and in 2015, passed the first U.S law mandating that the state make a 100% renewable-energy transition.

It's time to take notes. Hear from Hawaii State Senator Chris Lee, how he worked together with key stakeholders to mandate that Hawaii transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045.

With “climate change” being a hot-button phrase that brings backlash and even death threats, how can reporters and meteorologists do their job — ensure that the public is engaged and informed?

Join us on September 1st where renowned meteorologist Chris Gloninger,  Lauren Casey, and John Morales come together to describe the challenges the media faces when reporting on climate change, and envision how the media can bridge the gap between scientists and the public to drive climate literacy and shape an informed climate future.

Our fork is the greatest weapon against climate change. So says Nora LaTorre, CEO of Eat REAL. Nora is a food systems expert and sustainability leader who's on a mission to make our next generation healthier.

We are delighted to welcome her as our First Friday guest on July 7. Joining her is Sonia Hunt, an author and health and wellness expert.

Watch our webinar featuring two leading experts in their fields: author and journalist Joshua Frank and world-renowned communications expert Dr. Peter Andersen. The webinar, titled "The Hanford Dilemma: The Untold Story of America’s Most Toxic Place,"took take place on May 5th at 11:30 am PST / 2:30 pm EST.

On March 3rd, the Samuel Lawrence Foundation's First Friday series hosted a thought-provoking webinar featuring two of the most influential environmental leaders of our time. In this free and open-to-the-public event, Stanford University Professor Mark Z. Jacobson discusses his groundbreaking book "No Miracles Needed: How Today's Technology Can Save Our Climate and Clean Our Air".

Moderated by Ken Cook, President and Cofounder of Environmental Working Group (EWG), the webinar explores the most pressing climate issues facing our planet today.

SLF's First Friday Series as moderated by Dr. Peter Andersen, Professor Emeritus at SDSU’s School of Communication. This meeting features Joseph Mangano MPH MBA, https://radiation.org/, who speaks on past and current research regarding the impact of nuclear power plants on public health in the United States, with special reference to our local San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. He then delivers a 15 minute presentation and Q + A session afterwards.

Joseph Mangano MPH MBA is both an epidemiologist and Executive Director of the Radiation and Public Health Project. His work on the health hazards of nuclear reactors includes 39 peer-reviewed medical journal articles and 3 books, along with nearly 100 op-eds, letters to the editor, and articles in online publications. He directs a unique study of cancer risk using measurements of Strontium-90 in 100,000 baby teeth collected by Washington University during the 1960s.