Hadi Partovi, Chinaka Hodge, Ali Partovi, Fátima Ptacek, Dave Eggers, Jim Steyer, Jason Collins, Reverend Cecil Williams, Janice Mirikitani, Renel Brooks-Moon, James Coulter
Hadi Partovi, Chinaka Hodge, Ali Partovi, Fátima Ptacek, Dave Eggers, Jim Steyer, Jason Collins, Reverend Cecil Williams, Janice Mirikitani, Renel Brooks-Moon and James Coulter at the Common Sense Media Awards in San Francisco.

Bay Area movers and shakers recently gathered at the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco for the Common Sense Media Awards, which honor the innovative media creators, educators, policy makers and visionaries who are transforming the way kids learn, grow and thrive in a 24/7 digitally-connected world. Local radio personality and public address announcer for the San Francisco Giants, Renel Brooks Moon, emceed the May 13 event, and the evening closed out with an incredible performance by the Glide Memorial Church choir.

It was a truly inspirational night that highlighted the pitfalls and triumphs that kids and families experience every day trying to navigate the digital world—and parents found comfort in hearing they are not alone. This year’s stellar group of honorees are all about helping kids harness the power of technology for creative expression, learning, and making the world a better place. They all gave moving speeches that underscored the importance of making kids and education our nation’s top priority.

Photos: Drew Altizer Photography