Define American Honored as One of Fast Company’s “World’s Most Innovative Companies” for Second Year Running

For the second year in a row, Define American has made the prestigious Fast Company list of the “World’s Most Innovative Companies,” this year in the most innovative nonprofit category. In 2019, the tech and innovation-focused media company named Define American a top player in the TV and film category.

“At Define American, we’re building a more welcoming, inclusive America, one story at a time ,” said Define American Executive Director Ryan Eller. “We have harnessed the power of storytelling as a catalyst for change in the news media, in Hollywood and in communities across the nation for almost a decade now.”

In 2019, Define American was recognized in the TV and film category for our work consulting with the entertainment media industry to promote more humanizing and nuanced immigrant storylines. This year, we are proud to be recognized as a top 10 company in the innovative nonprofit sector for our pioneering work to shift the discussion about immigrants and American identity.

“Narrative change is a growing movement within the nonprofit and philanthropic community, and it’s heartening that the business, tech and larger media world, represented by Fast Company, is really getting it,” Eller said. “We need to start telling a fuller story about our nation, starting with our neighbors and friends from across the globe who continue to fuel innovation and build community.”

The World’s Most Innovative Companies is one of Fast Company’s most highly anticipated editorial efforts each year. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.

“At a time of increasing global volatility, this year’s list showcases the resilience and optimism of businesses across the world. These companies are applying creativity to solve challenges within their industries and far beyond,” said Fast Company senior editor Amy Farley, who oversaw the issue with deputy editor David Lidsky.

In 2020, Define American is continuing to push the limits with an innovative YouTube series that will introduce new audiences to powerful immigrant stories in communities that are particularly vulnerable to white nationalist messaging. We are continuing our highly successful Define American Fellowship, consulting on a record number of films and television shows, relaunching our storytelling platform, supporting our chapters nationwide in their advocacy work, and holding the news media accountable for humanizing and accurate stories about immigrant communities.

Read more about our work in Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March/April 2020), now available online at fastcompany.com and on newsstands beginning March 17. Join the conversation on social media with the hashtag #FCMostInnovative.