Posts in SWAC: Influencer
Osprey Orielle Lake - Ink and Advocacy

While many of us carry on with our daily routines, the urgency of climate change often escapes notice. However, as Osprey Orielle Lake emphasizes, "We are in a climate emergency." In her newest book, The Story is in Our Bone: How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis, Osprey Orielle Lake delves into the question of whether we are willing to take action and rise to the challenge. This book serves as a doorway into the realm of justice surrounding this pressing social issue. To learn more about The Story is in Our Bone: HowWorldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis, and Osprey Orielle Lake, read on. 

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Niro Knox - Rock, Metal, Home, and Cherry Tomatoes

Do you ever yearn for the days of 90s Rock/Metal? Love you some Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, or Bon Jovi? Well, boy are you in for a treat with Niro Knox! Niro will rock your socks off into the 2024 and beyond with his new album and song “Save Me”. What’s more is Niro is a really nice guy! He is very passionate about giving back, particularly to mental health and homeless causes, as he has struggled with these in the past. In fact, all of the proceeds from his new single “Save Me” are going to the mental health charity, SANE. When he isn’t creating new work or rifting on a guitar he can be found helping homeless nonprofits like Meir Panim and Kilburn Streets Kitchen/OKT (Our Kilburn Table). To learn more about this Israeli Rock Star, his music, his thoughts on Israel, and how he is giving back, please read on!

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Celestina Harris - A Rising Star Capturing Hearts From Afar

Meet Celestina Harris, a child actress taking on the entertainment industry in shows such as “Dr. Death.” Despite her youth, Celestina is making waves in the industry with her big dreams and an even bigger heart. Beyond her roles on screen, she embodies the spirit of Christmas during the holidays, spreading holiday cheer by providing gifts to families in need. Balancing school and screen life with grace, Celestina proves that age is no barrier to making a big impact. To learn more about Celestina, continue reading. 

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Cybr - Melodies of Remembrance

It all started with a brief 15-second TikTok video featuring Basia Mallet’s (known as Cybr) late grandfather, Charles Mallet. Together, Cybr and Charles defied the prevailing notion that technology merely created divisions between the older and younger generations, crafting heartwarming videos that gathered admiration from millions of viewers. Beyond TikTok, Cybr launched her debut song, "Life Without You" after the recent passing of her grandfather, and made her directorial debut with the documentary "The Questions I Ask Dementia," featuring her grandfather in a prominent role. To learn more about Cybr, continue reading.

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Mayte Garcia - Love, Life, and Legacy

Mayte Garcia's foundation, Live 4 Love Charities, embodies the essence of love, life, and legacy. From supporting aspiring musicians facing challenges to revitalizing music programs in educational institutions, Garcia and her foundation have been instrumental in nurturing the dreams of numerous upcoming artists. By carrying forward the musical and philanthropic legacy of the iconic American singer, and her ex-husband, Prince, she demonstrates the significance of assistance across various domains and the profound impact of music. To learn more about Mayate Garcia and Live 4 Love Charities, read on.

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Getting Raw With Nikki Gal About Mental Health

Model Nikki Gal wants the world to see women for more than their looks. While she might be a pretty face, there is a lot more behind those eyes, and she is working hard to make a difference. As a passionate women’s mental health advocate, Nikki has started two different podcasts addressing the issue — Raw Talk and The Model Memo (both with Nikki Gal). In addition to her speaking out about mental health she has also recently become an ambassador for The Big Yellow Force, an organization that helps help raise awareness for women suffering from endometriosis. To learn more about Nikki, her modeling, art, and activism, please read on!

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Unleashing the Power of Queer Art: Beautiful Forms Break Free with Bia Ferreira and Lama El Homaïssi

The Beautiful Forms: Queer Art Unbound festival was presented by the Artistic Freedom Initiative in October. The festival showcased the talents of international artists who have faced persecution or censorship due to their queer identities. Two of the featured artists were Bia Ferreira, a Brazilian singer and composer known for addressing important social issues, and Lama El Homaïssi, an actor, singer, and writer whose work often focuses on the LGBTQIA+ community. In this interview, Lama discusses their experiences engaging with the diaspora and highlighting injustices in Egypt and Lebanon, while Bia talks about their upcoming international tour and their approach to different music genres. Continue reading and discover how this festival provided an important platform for queer artists to express themselves and address pressing issues.

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Karen Cliche - The Haunting of Thanksgiving

Among the multitude of horror films typically tied to Halloween, there's been a noticeable absence of Thanksgiving-themed ones—until now. The tradition of horror films set around Halloween has shifted course with the arrival of the movie "Thanksgiving." Karen Cliche, portraying Kathleen in the film, masterfully embraces themes of gratitude with horror, evoking both fear and an insatiable desire for more from audiences. Balancing her roles as a single mother and actress, Karen Cliche not only takes on challenging characters but also actively engages in humanitarian efforts, collaborating with organizations like the World Wildlife Foundation, and World Vision, and dedicating her time to volunteering at women's shelters. Keep reading to learn more about Karen Cliche’s humanitarian work and journey as an actress.

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Parvati Kumar - Creating Etherical Art From The Heart

Let Parvati Kumar take you on a surreal and beautiful journey with her music and art. This disabled transgender female artist taps into her Punjabi heritage and her connection with the female spirit when creating. With a background in writing and painting, all forms of creation are at her finger tips. Read on to learn more about Parvati and her art.

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Donna Lewis - Fighting the Battle with Melodic Resistance

Donna Lewis continues to enchant audiences not just with her ethereal voice, but the profound narratives woven into her diverse songs. In her upcoming album, “Rooms With A View,” Lewis shares with her listeners her journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer. This extraordinary individual has faced the challenging journey of a cancer diagnosis with unwavering determination, channeling her experiences into her craft, resulting in an album that echoes both vulnerability and strength. Read on to learn more about Donna Lewis.

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Mary Hayashi - Empowering the Women of the Future

Mary Hayashi, a prominent figure in the California State Assembly, has consistently championed women's rights and emphasized the importance of their involvement in politics. Going beyond her legislative responsibilities, she has expanded her influential footprint by authoring a compelling book titled "Women in Politics: Breaking Down Barriers for Genuine Representation." This empowering and eye-opening book is a must-read. To learn more about her latest book read on.

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Catherine Bradley - Makes a 'Rebellious' Impact with Her Poetry in Dear Rebel

Catherine Bradley is currently making waves in the literary world as she promotes Rebel Girls' new keepsake literary collection, Dear Rebel. Alongside other notable figures such as Malia Baker and Drew Barrymore, Catherine has contributed a poem to this empowering collection. The book, which was released on October 3rd, features works from 145 different individuals from 37 countries, making it a diverse and global celebration of women. This project is particularly special because it is for a great cause — Rebel Girls is a nonprofit organization that aims to end illiteracy and gender inequality. They will make both monetary and book donations to Room to Read, which will extend the impact of Dear Rebel worldwide. Continue reading to learn more about Catherine and her involvement in this incredible initiative.

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Ananya - Harmonizing Hearts

In a world where the spotlight often blinds us to the struggles beneath the surface, one artist stands out not just for her fascinating melodies, but for her unwavering dedication to mental health advocacy. In her debut EP, “I Woke Up One Night,” Ananya takes her dreams and creates lyrics that have listeners mesmerized. Her music and wellness app, The Nani Wellness Project, serves as a refuge for those grappling with their inner demons, offering solace and a reminder that they are not alone in their struggles. Continue reading to learn more about Ananya.

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The Miserable Rich - The Resurrection of a Band

After 13 years, The Miserable Rich has come back better than ever with their hit album Overcome. This emotive yet empowering record stands as a tribute to the challenges they conquered collectively and the enduring bond of their friendship. With fresh, soon-to-be-released music on the horizon, you will not want to miss what they have in store. Read on to learn more about The Miserable Rich.

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Rachael Kilgour - Lyrics of Love and Loss

Love, loss, and grief. These are the three words that Rachael Kilgour has taken and embedded into the lyrics of her newest album: My Father Loved Me. Every tune of this album is filled with warm and heartwarming stories that Kilgour openly shares with her listeners as a tribute to her late father. Beyond the realms of songwriting and performing, Kilgour actively engages with the Warming Center, extending assistance to those seeking refuge. Read on to learn more about Rachael Kilgour. 

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Aiza - Afro Rhythm Sprinkled with Pop

Meet Aiza, the singer whose music will have you dancing on your feet. With her debut album 'Sovereignty' out now, Aiza delivers songs with addictive upbeat rhythms. Beyond the spotlight, she has participated with the Inkeraguhiga Collective working to ensure menstrual products are accessible to women in Ruyigi. Her dedication to both her musical career and humanitarian efforts serves as an inspiration, proving that artistry and activism can harmoniously coexist to create positive change in the world. Read on to learn more about Aiza.

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The Gulls - Rocking the Road

In an effort to rekindle the optimistic attitudes that faded throughout the pandemic, The Gulls have been on the road, singing their songs across Europe. Whether they're filming videos at 4:30 AM or releasing their latest single, "Sanitation," The Gulls tackle global issues and infuse profound messages into their lyrics. Read on to learn how the band was ready to rock every stage and capture the hearts of new fans on this remarkable journey.

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Dr. Sasha Hamdani - Revolutionizing Psychiatry in the Digital Era

What if there was an app that helped people with ADHD better understand their behaviors? Meet FocusGenie, created by Dr. Sasha Hamdani. This app contains a variety of features that allow users to customize their experience. Dr. Sasha Hamdani brings to light a frequently stigmatized topic that many people decide to keep hidden behind closed doors, and with her growing platform on social media, she continues to break barriers. Read on to learn more about Dr. Sasha Hamdani and how this new app can help people with ADHD!

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Shannon Daily - Bringing Home The Gold

Many of us are excited to see Simone Biles coming back to the Olympics, but have you heard of Shannon Daily? At 61 this seven time world mentalist has over splits, an aerial, and loves dynamic pole dancing. With the Olympics coming up many other sports are buzzing about when will it be their turn to join? Pole dancing might not be in the Olympics next year, but we have yearly international competitions. And Shannon is part of Team USA! Shannon is the perfect example that age is just a number and she can kick most people half her age or younger’s butt. Please read on to learn more about this remarkable athlete, and her secrets, in our exclusive interview below.

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Hannah Williams - Dealing With Salaries In Reality

Every child's first question whenever an adult mentions their job is, "How much do you make?" It has long been believed that asking this question is disrespectful, but what if that stigma disappeared? Meet Hannah Williams, a social influencer who has dismantled the stereotype and transformed what it means to ask that question. Many individuals nowadays receive inadequate pay, some of whom might not be aware of the severity of their situation. Rather than avoiding the question, Hannah pushes it to the forefront to increase transparency about the subject. Read on to learn how she is leading the change.

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