Posts in SWAC: Influencer
MEGG - Unfiltered, Unapologetic, and Unstoppable

With a sound that is equally fierce and fearless, MEGG has built a career on raw emotion and an edge. From growing up in a home filled with music to jumping onstage with live bands as a kid, her passion for performing was undeniable. After dropping an impressive seven singles last year, MEGG is proving that overthinking is overrated. Alongside her singles, her latest track, The End, is also an anthem for anyone battling self-doubt when life seems too good to be true. Read on to learn more about MEGG and her unique music. 

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Ianthe Metzger, Master Communicator

Ianthe Metzger (she/her) knows how to communicate. She has spent most of her career as the official mouthpiece of three of the largest progressive advocacy organizations in the United States: Human Rights Campaign, Emily’s List, and Planned Parenthood. Originally from the country of Trinidad and Tobago, Ianthe did not originally envision this career trajectory - the daughter of two dentists, she thought she would follow in her parents’ footsteps. Read on to learn about the rapid ascent in progressive activism for Ianthe Metzger!

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Laura Vale - From Mental Health to the Big Screen

Always a lover of acting, Laura Vale has transitioned from being a therapist to being an actress over the years. Her understanding of mental health has given her insight into her characters own struggles to better help represent them on the screen. Her new film CULPRIT is a perfect example of that as it tackles what happens to those who are potentially wrongfully accused of committing a crime, pulling from stories from The Innocence Project. Please read on to learn more about Laura Vale.

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Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2025 - Amy Mathieu, Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County, PA

Today we are profiling Amy Mathieu (she/her), a gender-nonconforming queer attorney who is running to be a judge on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After the election of Donald Trump in November, Amy was motivated to run for this elected judgeship.  As the country slides into a fascist corporatocracy, Amy wants to to join the court to become an activist judge who will help lead the anti-fascist resistance and to uniformly and consistently protect citizens from patriarchal, white supremacist and capitalist interests. She hopes to protect the civil rights of marginalized communities from discriminatory executive orders. Using this position of power, Amy will promote DEI and trans rights while our current regime seeks to erase diversity, equity, and inclusion, and trans people from American society.

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The Altons - Making Art for Change

For The Altons, music is not just about the sound—it’s about the journey. With the recent release of their album Heartache in Room 14 and their Club Heartache tour, The Altons are ready to bring their signature blend of soul, blues, and Latin-infused rhythms to audiences nationwide. Beyond music, they are deeply committed to giving back. From their annual Christmas Benefit Show to wildfire relief efforts, their activism is rooted in the communities that shaped them. Read on to learn more about The Altons!

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Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2025 - Gina Ortiz Jones, Mayor of San Antonio, TX

Gina Ortiz Jones (she/her) is a lesbian Filipina-American with a long career of public service. An Air Force officer during the early days of the Iraq War, Gina would later rise through the ranks of government to become the Under Secretary of the Air Force (the USAF’s #2 civilian position) in 2021. Along the way, Gina ran for Texas’ 23rd district in the US House of Representatives in 2018, winning the Democratic Primary but losing in the general election by less than a thousand votes. In her race to be San Antonio’s next mayor, Gina is running on a platform of universal Pre-K, housing affordability, and increasing high-speed Internet access to people of all incomes. The San Antonio mayoral election is on May 3, 2025.

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Women From Space - Experimental Beats

Meet Bea Labikova, the co-founder and current artistic director behind Women From Space — a brand holding a festival built on the spirit of innovation and fearless creativity. The 2025 Women From Space Festival dares to embrace the unpredictable, offering a lineup that celebrates the extraordinary voices of several female musicians. From avant-garde jazz to dance-infused electronic performances, the Women From Space Festival is more than just a lineup; this festival is about community where artists meet, collaborate, and spark new creative revolutions. Read on to learn more about the festival!

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Creating with Amanda Golka

Amanda Golka isn’t your normal creator. From her social commentaries to her reviews, she is honest and wont sugar coat the facts. This refreshing take has garnered her half a million+ fans and we are excited to see what is next for her. With more videos to come, she is also excited about writing her first book and helping communities in need. Please read on to learn more about Amanda Golka.

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Aaron Regunberg - Fighting Pollution and Hate

Aaron Regunberg (he/him), while only in his mid-30s, has a long list of accomplishments to his name. A former two-term Rhode Island state representative, this kakapo fan is taking on the might of fossil fuel companies as legal counsel at Public Citizen, and is fighting the Trump administration in Rhode Island as co-founder of Resist Hate RI. Read on to learn more about Aaron and his legacy of activism!

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THEKOIWAY - Challenging Narratives Through Lyrics

THEKOIWAY does not just make music — the band tells stories that need to be heard. From collaborating with global artists to tackling themes of identity, social justice, and LGBTQ+ rights, this band’s work is as bold as it is deeply personal. Their latest single, El Juego de la Vida, is more than just a track; it marks another chapter in THEKOIWAY's journey as a band that uses music to not only entertain but empower. From collaborating with artists across the globe to working with organizations like Mothers On The Move and Rebel Diaz Art Collective, they prove that music is not just entertainment — it’s a tool for change. Read on to learn more about THEKOIWAY. 

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Odessa Kelly - A Force To Be Reckoned With

When most people think of Nashville, they think of country music, the Grand Ole Opry, and hot chicken. But hopefully in the near future, they will also think of Odessa Kelly. Odessa (she/her) is a working-class, openly gay Black woman and mom of 2 who devotes her time, energy, and resources to the social justice non-profit she founded and now leads, Stand Up Nashville! This former Division I women’s basketball player went into public service after graduation but soon discovered that even a full-time government job is no longer enough to make ends meet. This experience of living hand-to-mouth motivated Odessa to start her social justice work advocating for the working class, housing justice, and racial equity in her home city. Read on to learn more about the force of nature that is Odessa Kelly!

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Madison Violett - Shattering Boundaries

Inspired by icons like Sleeping With Sirens, Saosin, and My Chemical Romance, Madison Violett is creating music that blends the nostalgia of late-2000s rock with a modern twist, channeling the energy of the Warped Tour era into her own music. Evolving from frontwoman to solo artist, she’s embraced her identity and songwriting style, eager to express herself fully. Beyond music, she’s dedicated to environmental activism, volunteering for beach cleanups, and supporting fire victims. To learn more about Madison Violett read on! 

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Mercury Stardust - Take Repairs Into Your Own Hands

Have you ever found yourself staring at a broken cabinet hinge or a flickering light, completely unsure of where to even start? Meet The Trans Handy Ma’am Mercury Stardust, a DIY expert and advocate who is changing the way we think about home maintenance. With a unique blend of humor, compassion, and hands-on knowledge, Mercury Stardust is proving that fixing things is not just for professionals or homeowners, it’s for everyone. Yet fixing handy projects is not only what Mercury does, but she also has a #1 New York Times bestselling book, Safe and Sound, a hotline offering real-time DIY advice, and a record-breaking fundraiser supporting gender-affirming care. Read on to learn more about Mercury Stardust. 

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Marie Newman, an Activist from High School to Congress

Marie Newman (she/her), a lifelong progressive activist, is a former US Representative whose office in the Longworth House Office Building was located right across from right-wing Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. After Greene insulted Newman’s transgender daughter, Newman flew the transgender pride flag outside of her own office. But advocating for transgender people is just one of many progressive positions Newman has agitated for over the course of her life. She has been a woman’s rights, gun reform, healthcare and income equity champion her entire life. Her prescriptive memoir, A Life Made From Scratch, is due to be released on March 18. Read on to learn more about the tremendous work of Marie Newman!

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Kara Eastman - Redefining Midwestern Nice

Kara Eastman (she/her) is a woman of many passions, but aside from punk rock nearly all of them involve making lives better for people who unduly suffer under the effects of untamed late-stage capitalism, the for-profit health industry, the lack or disregard of environmental regulations, or media centralized in the hands of the ultra-wealthy. After a career of activism, she shows no signs of slowing down! Read on to learn more about the work of the indefatigable Kara Eastman!

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Marcia Kimpton Travels and Films

Marcia Kimpton does everything! She is a director, producer, writer, actress, late night host, podcaster, mental health advocate, and champion of women filmmakers. with over 40+ awards for her films she is taking her skills on the road to create works that will hopefully teach the world about the unique places she travels to and give back to these communities through the profits. She has even started her own APP, Kimpton Travels and Films, to help people keep up with her adventures! Please read on to learn more!

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Women in Music are Changing the Narrative

While there are tons of amazing female artists in the music world, women are still in a minority of the leadership roles in the industry. There are many reasons for this, but some of it boils down to life just has more expectations for women — with the responsibilities of family often weighing much heavier on women. But this is where community come in. Women in Music (WIM) has 40 years of women supporting women, offering an inspiring environment for development, support, and growth! You don’t want to miss their next summit — Jan 15th-17th. Read on to learn more!

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Sav Rodgers - Film that Changes Lives

What if a single film could change the course of your life? For Sav Rodgers, Chasing Amy was not just a movie, it was a lifeline. Now, years later, that same kid has turned filmmaker, sharing their story through the lens of a deeply personal documentary, CHASING CHASING AMY. In the documentary, Rodgers unpacks the film’s complicated legacy within LGBTQ+ communities, exploring why it resonates so deeply for some while sparking criticism from others. The documentary goes beyond revisiting an old favorite. To learn more about Sav Rodgers and the film, read on. 

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Caleb Dolden - Lights, Camera, and Compassion

With a natural flair for storytelling and a passion for entertaining, Caleb Dolden has been captivating audiences both on and off-screen from an early age. But his talents extend far beyond the spotlight. Whether it’s creating vibrant characters for hit shows like Teacup or volunteering at local shelters, Caleb Dolden brings the same energy, compassion, and commitment to everything he does. Read on to learn more about Caleb Dolden. 

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Andrea Laing - Leading Life, Shaping the Future

Meet Andrea Laing, an actress whose talent extends far beyond the screen. With an impressive range that spans critically acclaimed shows like Atlanta, True Lies, and NCIS: New Orleans, Andrea has proven herself a versatile actress capable of capturing the depths of human emotion. Yet before entering the film industry, her childhood was marked by a powerful blend of community strength, resilience, and a deep empathy for human struggles — qualities that shine through in her current work and advocacy. Andrea’s commitment to making a positive impact is evident in her dedication to causes like animal welfare, youth mentorship, and disaster relief. Her work with organizations such as the Atlanta Humane Society, the Boys & Girls Club, and the American Red Cross is a testament to her belief that true success is measured by the change one creates. Read on to learn more about Andrea Laing and her work. 

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