Ginger Winn Sings to Souls

For this singer-songwriter, song writing is more than a creative outlet, it’s a way to process emotions. Ginger Winn stuns with her surprise EP “Reflections” and new single releases from her upcoming album “Freeze Frame”. Each song from these two projects produce nothing short of raw emotion, heartbreaking honesty, and deep connection. Partnering with Rewind Kingston to donate a part of proceeds to mental health initiatives and using her music to share important resources like the 988 crisis line, there is no doubting Winn’s dedication to mental health awareness. To learn more about Ginger Winn, her upcoming music, and its story, read on.

Paxton Smith - From Viral Valedictorian to Musician and Activist

From a viral valedictorian speech to becoming a musician and activist, Paxton Smith is no stranger to making her voice heard. With songs off of her new EP, “But I Love It”, releasing every month, we have no shortage of things to look forward to! Beyond the music, Smith has had the chance to travel around the country to speak on the importance of reproductive rights and serves on the board for directors for WRRAP - the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project. Read on to learn more about Paxton Smith and her new music.

Blue States Contribute So Much, What Would Happen If They Stopped?

Blue states contribute a great deal to the U.S. government and economy. As of 2024, about 47 percent of the U.S.’ GDP is composed of contributions from blue states, with the total GDP being around 23.54 trillion and blue states contributing around 11.116 trillion of that total, California, New York, and Illinois being the top three contributing blue states.

While red states do make up more of the U.S.’ GDP, at about 50.5 percent/11.89 trillion with their top contributors being Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania, it is important to note that there are 31 red states and only 19 blue states (red & blue states as defined by recent presidential election voting results). Even though there is a large number of red states compared to that of the blue states numbers, the blue states’ impact is almost on par with the red states' impact. This shows just how important and strong the blue states are to the U.S.’ economy.

Articles, zIssue 57, Editor's PickEva Elisa WellsJune 10, 2025Government, money, policies, politics, Politics, political, Trump, Trump administration, economy, gdpComment

Christine Mott - Animal Advocacy is for All Ages

As a child, Christine Mott quickly realized her immense love and protective nature for animals. Now all grown up and wanting to share that love, Mott has written the award winning children’s book, “Free Bird: Flaco the Owl Dreams of Taking Flight”. This book aims to teach children that animals are living creatures with their own thoughts and feelings just like us. To support animals even further, Mott is donating half of the proceeds from the book to the Wild Bird Fund and is a member of several boards fighting for animal rights. To learn more about Christine Mott and her new book, read on.

Art, zIssue 57Eva Elisa WellsJune 6, 2025animal rights, animal, books, children's book, animal advocacy, writing, veganComment

Soulflower Print Co.'s Sustainable Second-life Screen-printing

The mass overconsumption of unsustainably made products in today's world is a big problem, one this business is trying to counteract. Inspired by a few college classes, a passion for graphic design, and a love for thrifting, Soulflower Print Co. was created as an eco-friendly, nature-inspired business that produces sustainably made and screen printed apparel and paper goods. Giving quarterly donations to One Tree Planted from product profits, Soulflower Print Co.’s owner, Jess Emery-McGregor, is making efforts to help create a global impact. To learn more about Soulflower Print Co.’s story and products, read on.

Mustard Service Creates a Sound of Their Own

The Miami based group, Mustard Service, is creating a sound of their own, one they like to call “Zest Pop”. With the recent release of two new singles, an album coming this summer, and talk of even more new music in the future, we’re happy to report that Mustard Service has no plans of slowing down. Beyond the music, one member volunteers some of his time for The Sierra Club’s Inner City Outings program, a program dedicated to taking inner city youth on nature outings. To learn more about Mustard Service and their new music, read on.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 57Eva Elisa WellsMay 30, 2025Miami, music artist, music industry, Music Group, Community, HispanicComment

It Might Be Memorial Day, But Are We Supporting Veterans?

Memorial Day is here and what better way to support our veterans is there than to advocate for them. With the Trump administration working to cut federal spending, veteran’s access to affordable healthcare is in jeopardy.

5 Habits to Help Protect Your Mental Health

Keeping positive and being mindful of our mental health has become an increasingly important habit we need to keep up with following the results of the United States’ most recent election. May is mental health awareness month so I thought it would be the perfect time to share a few things you can do to stay positive and stay sane during this time of stress.

Brianne Nord-Stewart - Directing Change

Acclaimed queer director Brianne Nord-Stewart is empowering positive change through film. Her most recent project, I Was Octomom: The Natalie Suleman Story, helps one of America’s most hated women take back her reputation and rewrite the narrative. Donating proceeds from the release party for her show, The Dangers of Online Dating, to Options for Sexual Health, donating to Action Canada, and supporting a plethora of other sexual and reproductive health organizations, Nord-Stewart makes her message loud and clear. To learn more about Brianne Nord-Stewart and her projects, read on.

What to Know About the Proposed Republican Healthcare Bill

House Republicans have just recently proposed a new healthcare bill that is supposedly the cost-saving centerpiece for Trump's “big, beautiful bill”. In reality, this legislation is anything but beautiful.

The expansion of Medicaid was one of the most impactful effects of the Affordable Care Act, helping eliminate cost barriers to care and allowing more individuals access to healthcare coverage. With this new healthcare bill being introduced, important parts of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid will be affected and likely leave millions of Americans without access to healthcare coverage.

Is Leaving America Worth It?

With the recent election results putting Trump into office once again, the fear of his second term bringing even worse consequences this time around is widely shared. Many Americans have been heavily considering leaving the country to try and counteract the effect his presidency will have on them.

Though, with every big decision comes its positives and negatives. Here are a few pros and cons to leaving America that you should consider before making your decision.

Regina Sayles - Helping Voices Be Heard

Regina Sayles is a queer biracial singer-songwriter who advocates for more representation within the music industry. Her latest single’s music video, One Big Lie, released on International Women’s Day and aims to create more visibility for women like her. Often donating to the Looking Out Foundation, she hopes to help other’s voices be heard. Beyond the music, Sayles is an educator and a mentor, working hard to uplift others and help them believe in themselves. With more new music along the way, we are surely in for a treat! Read on to learn more about Regina Sayles’ new music and what representation means to her.

Work+Shelter - Moving the Needle for Women and the Environment

Theresa Vandermeer and Kavita Sabharwal, founders of Work+Shelter, have created a full service sewn goods manufacturing facility that is not only sustainable but also aims to uplift women through economic empowerment. Using organic and recycled materials, Work+Shelter is able to create durable products while actively reducing waste and conserving water. For the women of Work+Shelter, sustainability is survival. To learn more about how they’re making a difference, read on.

Emily Haber: Connection Over Perfection

Growing up in a family band with severe hearing loss, Emily Haber has learned that when it comes to music, connection is much more important than perfection. And after years of writing for others, she is finally ready to have her own voice heard. Her new single, Nostalgia, explores the complexity of reflecting on what you had compared to what you could’ve had. As her way of paying it forward and expressing gratitude for the help she received for her hearing loss from the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Haber frequently volunteers for and donates to them. To learn more about Emily Haber and how living with hearing loss has affected her relationship to music, read on.

A 5k 'Baby Bonus' Is Not the Answer

With the annual birth rate in the US near a record low, the Trump administration is looking for a new way to encourage women to have children. The current solution in discussion within the administration is a money incentive. They believe offering women a $5,000 ‘baby bonus’ after delivering will influence more women to give birth.

While offering women this small sum of money to have a child might seem like a generous idea, it cannot solve such a complex decision.

Television Skies Sings Without Disguise

Television Skies is a New York based duo with a rebellious spirit and unwavering authenticity. Their newly released single, Time of My Life, speaks to facing the unknown and might just be able to help you feel a little less alone during this time where we’re facing a lot of uncertainty. Teasing their upcoming album in this interview, they share a few songs we can expect to make it onto the track list. In response to the recent LA fires, Television Skies stresses the importance of supporting each other in times of need no matter the distance by playing shows to raise money for those affected by the fires. To show their support for struggling artists, they also partner with Sweet Relief and Letters Relief Charity, organizations dedicated to turning community support directly into real help for musicians. To learn more about Television Skies and their upcoming album, read on.

Refuge is a Rock 'n' Roll Musical Melting Pot

Inspired by music icons like Queen and the blending of genres like rock and blues, Refuge has created a sound unique to them. Their newly released single, Bored, exemplifies just that and with their upcoming album we’re sure to hear more of their diverse sound. Beyond the music, Refuge is dedicated to helping their community. Working with organizations like Newham Music Trust to bring music education to children, Music Venue Trust to keep small venues for small artists open, and supporting The Oasis Hub food, toy, and clothing pantries. To learn more about Refuge and their upcoming album, read on.