At the Academy Awards this weekend, the film "CODA" was nominated for three awards including best picture. One of the main actors is Marlee Matlin, who has brought strong characters to the screen for 35 years. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on uplifting deaf actors and others in the disability community in Hollywood.

Shawn Dunwoody is a local artist and activist born and raised in Rochester, New York. Early in his career he found success in galleries and at universities. But he's now returning his focus to his own neighborhood, hoping to ignite conversations through art to create changes in the community. He shares Brief But Spectacular take on bridging communities for our arts and culture series, "CANVAS."

When healthcare journalist and podcaster Max Lugavere's mother was diagnosed with a form of Parkinson’s disease, he drew on medical studies to train himself on best practices for improving brain health through food. Lugavere is now releasing a cookbook entitled “Genius Kitchen,” which uses brain-healthy recipes. He shares what he learned from his mother's battle with neurological illness.

Kara Jackson is known for being the 2019-2020 National Youth Poet Laureate from Oak Park, Illinois. But her art is not limited to one medium or one place. She writes poems but also essays and music that explore her family history, her southern roots, and how the legacy of racism continues to impact her and her communities. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on what shapes her art.