In a journey spanning from the crisp air of Alberta Canada to the city of Los Angeles, Marnie Alton found herself traversing continents in pursuit of her dual passions: fitness and storytelling. For her, fitness is not just about physical exercise but a holistic approach that nurtures the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit. Teaching barre in Los Angeles was not just a career; it ignited a passion that inspired her to establish M/Body—a method celebrated for its comprehensive approach to well-being. Beyond fitness, her passions extend to advocacy for animal rescue and support for sanctuaries — an embodiment of her belief in compassion and empathy as essential pillars of wellness. To learn more about Marnie Alton, read on.
Read MoreAdelide's musical journey is a true testament to the power of passion and personal exploration. Based in Brooklyn, New York since 2019, Adelide has carved out a niche in the music industry with her distinctive blend of disco, synth-pop, and soul. Adelide's songwriting process, deeply rooted in her jazz background, unfolds beautifully, often beginning with chords that came from her creative spark. Her latest single, "Witness," exemplifies her ability to seamlessly blend inspiration with personal narrative. Beyond her music, Adelide is a passionate advocate for causes close to her heart. Her involvement with the Youngsters of Uganda (YOU) organization underscores her commitment to making a positive impact. To learn more about Adelide, read on.
Read MoreThis week we are profiling Christina Khalil (she/her), the Green Party candidate for this fall’s U.S. Senate race in New Jersey. With the current embattled incumbent, Bob Menendez, indicted for bribery for accepting cash gifts from the Egyptian government in exchange for influence, the field is wide open to a wide range of party candidates, including Menendez himself, running as an independent. However, this millennial Green Party candidate, a first-generation Egyptian-American, has no such ties to foreign governments. As a formerly homeless teenager, Christina grew up in the foster care system and was emancipated at age 16. Today she is forced to work two jobs to make ends meet, both as a therapist and a drug and alcohol addiction counselor. Christina put herself through college twice, with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Her lived experience makes Christina passionate about giving voice to the unheard, providing the tools for the poorest and least privileged Americans to work for a better life, and creating safety, freedom and prosperity for all New Jerseyans regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, or immigration status.
Read MoreIn 2024, we have a large number of young people running for office to challenge the status quo upheld by older, long-entrenched representatives at all levels of government. Today we are highlighting one such person. Lexi Melton (she/her/hers), is a millennial wife and mom of two. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lexi decided to go back to school to finish her degree and graduated with an A.A.S. degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology from Chattanooga State Community College! Lexi fiercely advocates for strong public schools and women’s rights, and believes in gun safety and equitable healthcare, especially in rural areas.
Read MoreYasmin Trudeau (she/her) is a millennial attorney who currently serves as a Washington State Senator. A Bengali-American, Yas is the first Muslim to serve in the Washington state legislature. After spending much of her childhood in poverty, including being homeless during her teens, she was motivated to make a difference for people whose experiences were like hers. After a stint working as a Legislative Assistant to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, the current chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, Yas entered politics in her home state of Washington, where she focuses on issues like housing justice and equitable housing development, corporate responsibility and accountability, and continuing to provide the kind of resources for young people that she benefitted from in her youth to put her on the path to success.
Read MoreDive into the fascinating story of Yemen Blues, a band based in TLV, Finland, and NYC, whose music influenced by Yemeni heritage and diverse global backgrounds, transcends boundaries. Their latest single, “People,” and its riveting music video featuring MOVE|NYC| dancers, highlights a powerful collaboration with this organization dedicated to diversity and equity in dance. With an upcoming US and EU tour from September to December, this band is set to captivate audiences with its transformative sound. To learn more about Yemen Blues, read on.
Read MoreAnalise Ortiz (she/her/hers) is the current state representative for her district, but after one term in the Arizona House of Representatives, she has decided to run for the Arizona State Senate. Analise is a Latina millennial civil rights activist who worked for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on issues like criminal justice reform and federal immigration reform, before running for the Arizona House in 2022, where she is the first openly pansexual member of the Arizona legislature. In the House, she is a leader in the Democratic caucus on criminal justice reform, protecting and expanding reproductive rights, and advocating for affordable housing for Arizonans. Analise is passionate about combatting exclusionary zoning practices through meaningful and equitable zoning reforms.
Read MoreThis week we are profiling Christina Haswood (she/her/hers) is a Diné (Navajo) millennial who is the only Native American serving in the Kansas state legislature. In her first year in office, she helped pass Kansas’ first Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) bill. A public health advocate, Christina is a champion of reproductive rights and the right to abortion. Christina also stands out for using social media more than her colleagues to inform her constituents with updates from the legislature. Though she currently represents District 10 in the Kansas House of Representatives, Christina is now running for the State Senate.
Read MoreDrea Okeke is bringing Nigerian charm to America through her lively and often playful TikTok videos. She can be seen teaching Nigerian slang to celebrities on the red carpet to dressing up as SpongeBob. If this silliness isn’t enough for you, look out for her new game coming out this summer: Nonsense Slangs. When this influencer isn’t blowing up your social media she can be seen supporting education through expanding schools in Nigeria and giving away scholarships to first-generation African American college students. As an ex-engineer herself, she understands the value of a good education. Read on to learn more about Drea Okeke.
Read MoreToday we are profiling Kyra deGruy Kennedy (she/hers), a bisexual millennial community organizer, running for the Colorado House of Representatives. Kyra currently works as a business and political consultant, advising a wide range of organizations. As a former healthcare worker, Kyra has influenced a number of legislative efforts in Colorado pertaining to healthcare, and is most passionate about enacting single-payer healthcare, ensuring that healthcare be treated as a basic human right and not a system that profits off the ill health of patients, including mental health, reproductive health (including legalized abortion), and lower prescription drug costs. Kyra also supports transitioning away from fossil fuels (including in vehicles), reducing access to firearms, and protecting labor, worker, immigrant, tenant, and democratic rights.
Read MoreBased in Atlanta, GA, Tiffany Elle Burgess seamlessly juggles her roles as an actress, producer, health consultant, and children's book author. Tiffany recently starred in the award-winning movie “The Color Purple,” a film she describes as a vibrant black family reunion that brings fresh perspectives to the beloved story. Dedicated to representation in the entertainment industry, Tiffany believes in the importance of children seeing themselves reflected on screen. Outside of her work in film, she ventures into publishing children's literature, with her latest release, "Decisions, Decisions," designed to uplift young minds, especially those from diverse backgrounds. To learn more about Tiffany Elle Burgess, continue reading.
Read MoreToday we are continuing our profiles of candidates across the country who want to bring progressive change to America at all levels of government! Ysabel Jurado (she/hers) is an eviction defense attorney and affordable housing activist running for LA City Council. A daughter of undocumented Filipino immigrants, she became a mother as a teenager and later she put herself through UCLA for both undergraduate and law school. Her work as a tenants rights attorney focused on building pathways to home ownership for communities of color, the preservation of open space, and reparative justice. This millennial single mom identifies as Queer and is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Her platform focuses on expanding affordable housing, ending homelessness, supporting small businesses, tackling the climate crisis, and building a more just economy for all.
Read MoreSeattle-based music critic, Ma’Chell M. Duma, unveils her latest book "Cardi B: Invasion of Privacy," offering readers an insightful journey into the rapper's impact and musical prowess. Reflecting on her journey from North Dakota and years in the music industry, she dissects each track in a series of essays, highlighting the socio-political impact and feminist themes within Cardi’s work. Enthralled by the boldness and originality of Cardi B’s music, she aims to offer readers a deep appreciation of the artist's cultural influence. To learn more about Ma’Chell M. Duma and her new book, read on.
Read MoreAs we get further into election season, the races are starting to heat up! This week we are profiling Molly Cook (she/her), a millennial ER nurse who is the latest addition to the Texas State Senate. On May 4, Molly won a special election in District 15 to fill an open seat left by the departure of John Whitmire to take over the mayorship of Houston. While she is locked in for the remainder of the term (which ends on January 14, 2025), Molly is having another election on May 28 — this time the Democratic primary runoff for the general election (on November 5) of the next term of District 15, where she is facing the same candidate who she defeated in the special election.
Read MoreIn the upcoming May 21 primary in the Metro Council District 6 race in Louisville, KY, Jejune is profiling JP Lyninger (he/him/his). JP is running as a Democratic Socialist for the seat, after several years organizing with the Democratic Socialists of America at both the local and national levels. In 2022 he managed fellow Democratic Socialist Robert Levertis Bell’s run for State Representative and co-managed Kentucky Access for All’s campaign to defeat a state constitutional ban on abortion, contacting every voter in the state regardless of voter ID to explain that abortion bans harm the working class regardless of whether they identify as Democrats or Republicans. This year, JP has personally knocked on over 6000 doors for his campaign, and has made it his goal to talk to every voter in District 6 by election day.
Read MoreKayden Koshelev might just be 14 years old, but he is wiser than most adults I know. This very smart and fun loving kid is already gracing theaters singing and dancing his way into people’s hearts with drag queens and taking on non-binary character roles on Disney+. If he is our future, I’m here for it! Please read on to learn more about Kayden, his acting, and his advocacy!
Read MoreThis week we are profiling Katrina Fallick-Wang (she/her). No, you did not read that name wrong. According to her website, “My maiden name is pronounced phallic. Yes. Just like that. I married someone with the last name of Wang. We hyphenated our names to make it more funny.” Growing up on a commune, Katrina had her first child at age 15, and today works counseling teen mothers. Katrina is openly queer and polyamorous. In her personal life she is an avid hiker and kayaker, and she fosters kittens. She participates in art and alternative communities, and she mentors young women who are interested and involved in STEM disciplines. She is passionate about neurodiversity and disability activism. Although running as a Democrat, Katrina believes that a multi-party system would better serve the American people than a two-party system.
Read MoreIn her recently published book, Summoned by the Earth, Cynthia Jurs embarks on a journey focused on healing and contemplation, addressing the urgent issue of humanity's impact on the planet. Through her roles as both a dharma teacher and a sharer of her spiritual journey, Cynthia Jurs not only enlightens her readers but also seeks to impart the importance of sacred activism, particularly relevant in our current era. For those interested in delving deeper into Cynthia Jurs' insights and embarking on a spiritual journey, continue reading.
Read MoreThis week we are highlighting Lindsay Sabadosa (she/her), an activist who is a current representative in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Lindsay, a mother of one, has been a protest and community organizer since the age of nine. The issues that she champions are promoting women candidates, reproductive rights, Medicare for All, the rights of immigrants, and increasing the minimum wage. Sabadosa has been active with organizations such as the Women’s March on Washington, Planned Parenthood, the Pioneer Valley Resist Coalition, and is a board member of both the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts and the Doula Association for Reproductive Loss and Abortion (DARLA).
Read MoreFrom her debut on American Idol to her collaborations with Kelly Clarkson, Daisy Close has made her mark in the music industry with her distinctive voice. Emerging as a rising star, Daisy embodies the true spirit of an artist and she is currently in the works on her debut EP for her loyal fans. Amidst her busy schedule, Daisy also finds time to support St. Jude's, spreading joy to children as an inspiration and spearheading efforts to provide school supplies for underprivileged students. Daisy Close stands out as a fresh voice for the next wave of artists, and her journey promises more exciting ventures in the years to come. Explore further to discover more about Daisy!
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