• by Amy Corr , December 16, 2016

A good portion of the news these days focuses on the negative. Microsoft's holiday ad aims to boost spirits by highlighting regular people making a difference.

"Art of Harmony" brings together such folks as Joel Artista, an artist and advocate for social change; Bobby White, a Florida police officer who played basketball with local kids, rather than busting them after a complaint; Hawa Diallo, a West African refugee artist; Jazz Jennings, the youngest person to publicly identify herself as transgender, and activist for transgender youth; and Mona Haydar, a Muslim-American activist who invites people to come "ask a Muslim" over for free coffee and doughnuts.

The video is incredibly moving. Viewers first see each individual making a difference in their community and then watch them use Microsoft tools to create artistic renderings of hope and peace.

"When the world seems divided, coming together can be a beautiful thing," closes the video, created by McCann.