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A More Perfect Union

Cardiologist heals through medicine and music

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Submit your stories for our series, A More Perfect Union

We aim to show what unites us as Americans is far stronger than what divides us

Family develops safer electric wheelchair

Nearly 2.7 million Americans rely on wheelchairs to get around, but every year, more than 100,000 are injured in wheelchair-related accidents. Inspired by one of their own, a Nashville family took it upon themselves to make wheelchairs safer.

Spiritual leaders' thoughts of hope and unity

With 2020 almost behind us, people are looking for 2021 to bring back a sense of normalcy. Spiritual leaders representing six religions reflect back on the troubles of the past year, while sharing their thoughts of hope and unity for the future.

Veterans get back on track by racing cars

As the coronavirus pandemic takes a mounting toll on America's armed forces and first responders, one group called "Uncle Sam's Misguided Children" is helping set them and military veterans back on track by putting them behind the wheel of a race car.

Alphabet Rockers make music that makes change

The multi-racial, multi-generational hip-hop group sings and raps about diversity, standing up for others and acceptance of transgender youth.

2 California teens' mission to get PPE to all

For the "CBS This Morning" series A More Perfect Union, Dr. Tara Narula has the story of two tech savvy brothers who are providing PPE to many people who need it.

Uniting people to fight climate change

Jeremy Jones says 50 million Americans are outdoor sportspeople. He hopes to unify them as a powerful voting block working for policies and candidates with strong pro-climate platforms.

Drive-thru food drive feeds hundreds in L.A.

The economic fallout from the coronavirus could leave more than 54 million Americans without enough food according to one estimate.

Southern college helps student find home

For the "CBS This Morning" series A More Perfect Union, Meg Oliver shares how one small college in the South is helping students with nowhere to go.

Black farmer fights racism in food system

Leah Penniman calls the lack of access to fresh produce "food apartheid."

8-year-old artist raises money for PPE

Using his love of art, an 8-year-old boy is selling his drawings of health care heroes and donating the proceeds to GetUsPPE, an organization aiming to help ease the nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment.

John Lewis' fight for museum's creation

The late Congressman John Lewis fought tirelessly for legislation to create the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

Neighbors band together with mutual aid group

In what was at one point the center of the COVID-19 pandemic, one New York family decided to help their neighbors in need.

Virginia couple creates fund for small businesses

Chip Reid shares the story of a husband-wife duo who started a Virginia non-profit to help local small businesses stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.

New Orleans musicians perform amid lockdown

New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

Pilot thanks medical volunteers on his flight

United Airlines pilot Jim Crail, who is married to a nurse, fought back emotions when he learned some of the passengers set to be on his flight were medical workers volunteering to help the coronavirus crisis in New York.

Veteran offers free auto service

Hard Luck Auto is trying to alleviate costs for some people, offering free service to those who can’t afford to pay.

Charity reunites veterans with lost medals

Purple Hearts Reunited began as a passion project for Army Major Zachariah Fike and has since turned into a non-profit helping people around the country.

Theater group "Girl Be Heard" aims to empower young women

The program has already reached audiences from the White House to the United Nations, and aims to reach girls "from all walks of life," according to its artistic director.

Hair salon bridges gap between communities for interracial families

A non-profit hair salon near Chicago is helping adoptive children connect to their African American identity.

Utah officials tell Trump they want to welcome more refugees

Until Trump's election Utah welcomed upwards of 1,500 refugees per year. Those numbers are down by two-thirds now.

Virginia photographer offers families a priceless holiday gift

It was an offer almost too good to be true.

Paramedic finds magic solution to keep kids calm in emergencies

Ivan Mazurkiewicz's tricks are a regular part of the job on calls where kids are involved

Creative costumes help kids with disabilities enjoy Halloween

Trick-or-treating can be tough for kids in wheelchairs, but one hospital came up with a creative solution to help the kids get their treats

Teens with skin conditions inspire masterpieces on fashion runway

Three teens modeled dresses that represent something more than what meets the eye

"It's doing something good": Women brighten lives of seniors with memory loss

The Bloomington, Minnesota, pair rearrange up to nearly a thousand bouquets a month, with 150 volunteers working five days a week

Meet Jaden Jefferson, Ohio's 11-year-old political reporter

The self-taught multimedia reporter writes, shoots, produces, and edits his own stories

Non-profit helps make unpaid Congressional internships possible

One of the biggest divisions in Congress is the hardest to see: who can afford to work there as an intern

Photographer takes free photos of grads years after missing out on his own

Four years of high school often come down to a single photo, but the price of those photos puts them out of reach for many families

Black women paving the way in Baltimore's food industry

Black women are responsible for some of this country's big culinary trends, but they make up just 4% of chefs and head cooks in American restaurants

Spanish-speaking women fighting cancer form sisterhood

Grupo Morivivi thrives because of its resilience

MLK's homes to be preserved by National Park Service

The descendants of the civil rights icon are entrusting homes to the National Park Service, thanks to the once-anonymous donor

"The Republic Gives Thanks": A Thanksgiving poem

Amanda Gorman, the inaugural Youth Poet Laureate of the U.S., performs a poem about what the holiday means to her

L.A. County libraries allow kids to read away late fees

The idea came about after the library noticed an unsettling trend: Many kids who racked up debt on overdue books or movies would stop coming to the library altogether

Community buys out donuts so shop owner can spend time with sick wife

These days, you have to get to Donut City in Seal Beach, California, early if you want to get some before they sell out

Recovering addicts find support and community at sober gym

There are no initiation fees to join, no monthly dues. The only requirements are 48 hours of sobriety, and a will to get your life back

Veteran discovers fly fishing's healing power for "wounded souls"

Chad Brown sought treatment for his PTSD but it wasn't until a friend took him fishing that he found his real medicine

Strangers rally around family stranded with baby in NICU

When a pregnant woman came to New York on a business trip back in June, she expected to stay for three days. Then she suddenly went into labor

Officer becomes young man's unlikely father figure

Daniel Rodriguez's father was incarcerated for most of his childhood, so a California cop took him under his wing

How 2 N.J. women are giving a declining neighborhood a makeover

In a southern New Jersey community, Shirley Johnson and Carolyn Grace, are inspiring younger residents to clean up their town

Louisiana's teacher of the year brought to tears by students' letters

Kimberly Eckert started a tradition of writing personal letters to students to let them know how much they mean to her, and now they're returning the favor

Young students' imaginations come to life with help of Hollywood pros

A nationwide mentoring program encourages kids to tap into their creativity

Monument Academy provides safe reopening

Monument Academy safely reopened amid the pandemic for its most vulnerable students with distance learning difficulties.

Boy who was bullied helps those in need

A Maryland boy who experienced painful bullying is connecting residents of his community and a rural South Dakota Indian reservation with needed supplies.

Vegan food, straight outta Compton

Compton is a community whose portrayal in music and movies eclipses the lives of real people who live there. It's also a city where healthy food can be hard to come by and life expectancy is five years below the Los Angeles County average.

Youth leaders building a more perfect union

For the "CBS This Morning" series A More Perfect Union, Adriana Diaz speaks to a group of teenagers, many who can't even vote yet, working to strengthen communities and American democracy itself, one project at a time.

Using hoops to build bridges of hope

Nico Naismith is taking his Hoop Bus cross-country, using basketball to bring people together and open a dialogue about race. Along the way, they help refurbish inner-city courts and hold youth clinics.

Teens turn liquor store into fresh food mart

A group of Chicago teenagers teamed up with professional athletes and transformed a looted liquor store into a fresh food market.

Seniors stay connected through radio

"Radio Recliner" allows senior DJs to share music, memories and send messages to loved ones.

Photographer documents country in quarantine

Photographer Brian Bowen Smith's business dried up when coronavirus hit. That's when he decided to hit the road in his vintage truck to document a country under quarantine.

COVID-19 cuts off supplies to Alaska town

When a remote Alaska town's ferry shut down due to COVID-19 concerns, Toshua Parker, owner of the town's only grocery store, stepped up to transport supplies.

Mural honoring Floyd reminds viewers to vote

The artist behind the "RESIST HATE!" posters teamed up with a young aspiring artist to create a mural that honors George Floyd and others killed by police, with the message to vote in November.

Pen pals help seniors cope during coronavirus

Some high school students in the American heartland are turning to the old-fashioned art of letter writing to reach local senior citizens who are not allowed to venture out or have visitors during the coronavirus pandemic.

Volunteers lend RVs to workers on the front lines of pandemic

"RVs for MDs" has over 22,000 online members and has made at least 345 matches so far, with hundreds more pending.

Atlanta restaurant feeds food service workers

The restaurant industry could lose 7 million jobs in the next three months as the coronavirus pandemic takes its toll on the economy.

Nonprofit builds tiny homes for veterans who don't have one

The Veterans Community Project in Kansas City built a cluster of 49 small but livable homes that have everything from furniture to a fully stocked refrigerator, where vets can live among others who may share their experience and provide some comfort.

After-school golf program helps students get into college

Midnight Golf teaches kids how to play golf, and to win in the game of life.

TV host recreates iconic films with golden-aged stars

"I just want to take him home and keep him, but he won't come home with me," laughed Francesca Friday, an 85-year-old in Hoffman's class.

Boy helps colorblind peers experience the world in whole new way

A Minnesota boy and his family are raising money to give kids with color blindness a special pair of glasses that can color even the darkest corners of their worlds

Rosa Parks exhibit shows she was no accidental activist

Thousands of Parks' own writings are on display at the exhibit, which is free to the public

Gulf War veterans teach blacksmith to help vets: "We're their therapist"

Steve Hotz and Dave Seitz are molding an ancient trade into modern medicine to help vets transform something old into something new while also transforming themselves

Cookie art highlights Asian-American icons who helped shape U.S.

College student Jasmine Cho is an avid baker, but her confections aren't necessarily for consumption

Cancer survivors square off in the boxing ring to help find a cure

One organization is letting cancer survivors lace up their gloves to give cancer a knockout blow

Senate honors legendary Capitol Hill staffer Bertie Bowman

After running away from home, Bertie Bowman worked his way up from sweeping the Capitol steps

Couple helps transform blighted community, one block at a time

Sharon and Larry Adams have been steadily working on rehabbing their neighborhood one block at a time — and it's paying off, CBS News' Chip Reid reports

Monthly feast is "breaking down barriers" in New Jersey community

"It's the idea of like creating family," one coordinator said

Tech with a twist: Innovative youth program combines coding and dance

"With dancing, you have to look at the steps and figure out how do they fit into one another. Same with coding"

Young man rebuilding his life forms bond with cop who first arrested him

Rameil Pitamber said the mentorship changed his mind about cops

76-year-old volunteer drives low-income college students home from school

"Mr. G" has logged over 60,000 miles while serving others and spreading joy

Female skaters swirl together: "Girl power is real"

It all started about a year ago on the bike paths and side alleys of Venice, California

Runners around the world help woman conquer 100 marathons in 100 days

The Australian native wants people to know she didn't set out to run 2,620 miles just for the exercise

Foster grandparents volunteer and share their love at schools

More than 20,000 seniors participate every day across the country

Teen ate lunch alone for years, then the student council stepped in

For some teenagers, the hardest part of the day can be lunchtime in the high school cafeteria

Professor officiates wedding of her former students

A growing number of people are choosing to get married with help from someone who knows them best

Doctor becomes colleagues with nurse who cared for him in NICU

Nurse Vilma Wong and medical resident Brandon Seminatore work in the neonatal intensive care unit at Lucile Package Children's Hospital Stanford, but they first met there years before, under very different circumstances

Little League team makes history, hopes to inspire other young players

The Mamie Johnson Little League team is the first majority black team to from Washington, D.C. to advance to the regional tournament

Twin sisters in opposing parties run for office in neighboring districts

Monica Sparks and Jessica Ann Tyson are alike in almost every single way, except for one thing

Meet the entrepreneur who is empowering young girls, one dress at a time

When Sam Sisakhti donated a box of dresses to those in need, he realized what can be achieved with just one brand-new piece of clothing

College students skip spring break to help kids connect with science

While other students descended on beaches, two University of Miami science majors shared their enthusiasm for nature with a younger generation

Healing the emotional wounds of war through song

There are a lot of therapy programs for veterans suffering from PTSD, but only a few use professional musicians

How hockey is uniting Nashville cops and kids

Kids in Nashville and the people who keep them safe share a common bond – hockey – and it's helping them get to know each other

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