Mary Mattingly's Eco-Conscious Activism - Imagined Futures in Bloom

The innovative New York artist Mary Mattingly has emerged as a true beacon of environmental consciousness in the art world. With the recent debut of her piece Ebb of a Spring Tide at Socrates Sculpture Park in New York, Mattingly has carved a unique path that seamlessly blends art, activism, and our connection to water. As the world continues to evolve, Mattingly remains at the forefront of championing climate awareness. Her art serves as a reminder that creativity can be a force of change, transcending traditional boundaries and inspiring us to reimagine how we interact with our planet. Continue reading to learn more about Mary Mattingly.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2022 - Jessica González-Rojas, New York State Assembly District 34

This week we are profiling Jessica González-Rojas (she/her/hers). Jessica is a queer Latina and Democratic Socialist member of the New York State Assembly, running on the Working Families Party ticket. She is the former executive director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, an organization that advocates for access to affordable health and reproductive care for Latino and immigrant communities. Of Paraguayan and Puerto Rican descent, she is also a former professor of Latino and Latin American Studies at City College of the City University of New York. González-Rojas cares passionately about healthcare, racial justice, and immigration reform. She lives in Jackson Heights, Queens, with her partner and their son.

Save the Penguins with Davey Harris!

Save the penguins with Davey Harris! Singer-songwriter Davey Harris is producing music not only for us to enjoy but also to promote awareness and change. Harris was a member of the band "The Tins" for ten years before going solo and releasing songs like "Predictable" and "Self Saboteur," as well as his most recent single, "PNGN DNCE." which was released on June 16, and addresses the negative effects of the global climate crisis. Harris not only writes songs about change but also participates in them by working with an organization called ASOC, or Antarctica and the Southern Ocean Coalition. Keep reading if you want to learn more about Harris's transition to a solo career, his singles, "Predictable," "Self Saboteur," and "PNGN DANCE," and how you can assist with the current climate crisis.

Justiin Davis: Push Past The Uncomfortable

New York City-based actor Justiin Davis is everything we’ve been missing! You can spot Justiin on HBO’s Emmy-winning drama Boardwalk Empire or, as of most recently, the highly anticipated Amazon series “The Boys” which is already on season 3. Justiin has been acting and modeling since the impressive age of nine, and it is incredible to see what he can do now! Justiin’s talent goes beyond acting due to his pursuit of building an arts program that aids inner school systems through Mission Society. Justiin is impressive, but you have to see for yourself! If you are interested in his work with Boardwalk Empire, Justiin’s journey, and his advocacy for inner-city youth, please continue reading below!

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 44SAMANTHA COLÓNJuly 13, 2022young actor, actor, acting, traditional acting, New York, new york city, change, hope, childreninneed, arts, ArtComment

Learning That Less is More with Sustainable Fashion Brand KZ_K Studio

KZ_K Studio is a New York City based ready-to-wear luxury fashion brand that everyone should know about. This brand focuses on slow fashion, local production, limited quantities along with minimal and multifunctional designs. We spoke with Karolina Zmarlak, who is the co-founder, designer, and creative director of the brand. She immigrated from communist Poland in the 90's. With limited resources, she had only a few items, but they were made with the utmost quality by local craftspeople. This led to her appreciation for the less is more mentality which she instills in the KZ_K Studio brand. The newest Warm Cycle (or Spring Collection) incorporates various sustainable fabrics including cupro, plant dyed organic cotton, and recycled polyester. Continue reading below to learn more about KZ_K Studio and the beautiful multi-functional pieces they create through sustainable practices!

SWAC: Fashion, zIssue 44Sophie LaSalaJuly 6, 2022fashion, fashion industry, designers, sustainable, ecofriendly, New York, new york cityComment

Ali Fumiko Whitney- Learning To Love Her Heritage

Ali Fumiko Whitney is an inspirational American actress of Japanese, English, and Scottish ancestry who has appeared in films such as "The Road Dance," "Snow Valley," and, most recently, "The Islander." Ali currently resides in New York City but previously lived in Los Angeles, where she attended UCLA and studied theater. Ali may be busy working on projects, but that doesn't stop her from volunteering for Harlem Village Academies and supporting environmentally friendly brands. She also works with non-profit organizations such as CAPE to give Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders a voice and empower them in entertainment and media. Her dedication to embracing her culture does not end there; she also enjoys Asian cuisine and, despite being gluten free, is able to find a variety of delicious meals and healthier alternatives. Read on to learn more about Ali Fumiko Whitney, her roles in "The Road Dance," "Snow Valley," and "The Islander," as well as to learn more about the nonprofit and volunteer organizations she has worked with.

Livia De Paolis - So Much More Than a Triple Threat

Livia De Paolis is a rockstar in production. Despite the fact that her family owned De Paolis I.N.C.I.R, a Rome studio, she has built a name for herself taking on many aspects of the entertainment industry. She oversees all elements of production — including screenwriting, directing, producing, and acting. Livia has established herself in a number of locations, including Italy, New York, and, most recently, London. In New York City, she focused her work on contemporary theater and produced the feature film Emoticon and the short film Awestruck. Livia has recently returned to London, where she is promoting her new feature film, "The Lost Girls," which will be released on June 17h. If her journey couldn't get any more impressive, she has also worked with non-profit organizations such as the 52nd Street Project and hopes to work with more in the future. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Livia’s upbringing, short films, humanitarian work, and love for theater.

Kjersti Long Is No One's Princess

Kjersti Long is challenging all of your stereotypical thoughts in her new single, ‘Not Your Princess.’ The song was written after her dad made the mistake of calling her one, and after expressing her displeasure, Kjersti put pen to paper and wrote a song about it. The song celebrates the fact that we are all individual people that are more than a title or the judgement of others. While Kjersti is super fierce, she also has a heart of gold. This can be seen through her interpretation of the song ‘Eleanor Rigby’ by the Beatles. Her music video for ‘Eleanor Rigby’ highlights the feeling of loneliness, a feeling felt by most throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Read on in our interview to learn about Kjersti’s volunteer work with America’s Grow A Row, her live gigs where proceeds go to Mental Health and Wellness initiatives, and a sneak peek on some upcoming projects.