Amanda Southworth, Archika Dogra, and Samantha Konigsberg: Three Women Using Their STEM Skills to Empower Their Communities
In a world that seems to have been designed by men for men, Amanda Southworth, Archika Dogra, and Samantha Konigsberg took it upon themselves to take on tech, a male-dominated industry, and make a real impact on the world around them. Trigger warning: This article talks about depression, suicide, sexual assault, and r*pe.
Amanda LaCount: A Dancer Challenging The Body Standards Of The Industry and Championing Body Positivity
Amanda LaCount is challenging the idea of what a dancer’s body has to look like, leading to much-needed progress towards body inclusivity in the dance industry.
Schuyler Bailar: A Transgender Athlete and Activist Telling His Story in Hopes That His Experiences May Help Transgender Youth Find Their Voice
Schuyler Bailar, the first openly transgender NCAA athlete to play men’s Division I sports, is paving the way for the next generation of transgender activists.
I-Dare-Not-Say-Its-Name’s Effect On Small Human Connections
It’s February in the United States and we have been deprived of organic, candid human contact for, ever. In this personal essay, writer Meghana Patnana poses the question, “After I-dare-not-say-its-name is over, will we continue to have candid, organic connections?“
Ella Jane: A Rising Singer-Songwriter Who Went From Posting One Minute Song Covers on Social Media to Writing and Producing Her Own Music
They called her “Ukellela” then, but now she is known as Ella Jane, a rising singer-songwriter who has come a long way since her one minute Lorde and Lana Del Rey covers on Instagram. Today, Ella has written and produced three songs that have accumulated millions of plays on Spotify. Inspired by artists like Taylor Swift and Lorde, Ella is slowly creating her own sound.
Andrea Brocca: From Window-Shopping With His Mother to Becoming the World’s Youngest Couturier
Andrea Brocca talks about growing up around his fashionista mother, coming into his own in the world of haute couture, and what fashion and sustainability mean to him.
Natalia Seth: A Digital Artist Using Social Media To Express Herself and Create Change
Natalia Seth, also known online as “escapingyouth,” started her career with just her mom’s iPhone and an Instagram account, and now she has become one of the most influential digital artists of her generation. From brand deals to viral TikToks, Natalia’s sense of imagination has touched every inch of the creator world. Her dreamscapes, each overflowing with color and personality, have captivated hundreds of thousands of people across her social media platforms.
Manuela Barón: An Environmental Activist Fighting for a Sustainable, Zero-Waste Future
As “The Girl Gone Green,” Manuela Barón uses her social media platforms to promote her zero-waste lifestyle and sustainability efforts. From making her own clothes out of trash to transforming her backyard into a full-fledged garden, Manuela seeks to inspire others by doing what she loves and doing it boldly.
Marcus Scribner: An Actor Promoting the Voices of Young Black People Through ‘Black-ish’ and His Own Production Company
Actor Marcus Scribner discusses the success of the hit ABC series Black-ish, the importance of representation on screen, and the projects his production company is working on to promote the voices of young Black people.
Abigail Cowen: An Actress Encouraging Us To Embrace Our Differences and Advocate for Our Mental Health Needs
Abigail Cowen stars in Netflix’s new series Fate: The Winx Saga. Her character, Bloom, shows us that it’s our differences that make us a force to be reckoned with. Cowen chats with us about her experience working on the set of Fate: The Winx Saga, her journey as an actress, and her passion for mental health advocacy. Trigger warning: This article discusses mental health, bullying, and suicide.
Diana Chao: A Mental Health Advocate Harnessing The Power of Collective Healing
Diana discusses her own experience with mental illness, her work with youth-led mental health nonprofit Letters To Strangers, and her thoughts on the global progress of mental healthcare. Trigger warning: This article discusses mental health and suicide.
Industrial City Girl
“[Photography] is the power of storytelling without words. The ability to convey a message or a story you have in your head through a singular image, without the constraints of language… Sometimes I'll see something on the street and instantly my head opens a million tabs of ideas that lead me to a concept for a shoot. It's so rewarding for me to picture a concept in my head and then bring it to life; the end result gives me chills every time.”
Her—An Indian Girl
15-year-old Aaryana Sharma writes a poem inspired by her own experiences, those of her peers, and South Asian representation in media and literature.
Op-Ed: Why Can’t Charli D’Amelio Just Be a Teenage Girl Who Dances on TikTok?
We’re forcing social media influencers to be role models and activists. We should redirect our attention to look up to people who are dedicating their lives to supporting their communities and creating positive change. Let’s give them a platform instead.
Maya Penn: An Interdisciplinary Artist Prompting Conversations Around Sustainability and Environmental Justice
Environmental activist, fashion designer, animator, and filmmaker Maya Penn discusses creating work that sparks conversations around sustainability and environmental justice.
Aija Mayrock: An Author Penning Poems That Empower Women
Poet and writer Aija Mayrock discusses writing her poetry book Dear Girl, creating her first book The Survival Guide to Bullying, and prioritizing mental health in today’s digital world.
Brennan Clost: An Actor and Dancer Challenging the Stigma Surrounding Male Ballet Dancers
Netflix’s Tiny Pretty Things actor Brennan Clost shares his experience filming the show, what he hopes viewers take away from his character, and advice he has for aspiring dancers and actors, in conversation with his co-star Casimere Jollette.
Filmmaking Is Not Just Entertainment. It’s a Powerful Tool.
Actor Dusan Brown is set to make his co-lead debut with Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman in Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom on December 18th. Dusan pens a personal essay for Pulse Spikes on his experiences as an actor and filmmaker and what he has learned working alongside legends in the entertainment industry.
Diamond White: An Artist and Actress Challenging What Black Representation Looks Like on Stage and on Screen
Singer-songwriter and actress Diamond White reflects on her experience onThe X Factor, releasing music as an independent artist, and what Black representation looks like to her on screen and on stage.
‘Tampon Rock’: A Rock and Roll Podcast About Dating And Surviving Your 20s Centered Around Characters From the LGBTQ Community
Alysia Brown, Sarah Aument, and Sophie Dinicol are the creators of Tampon Rock, a scripted podcast that follows the dating life of two young lesbian women in Oakland, Deja and Chloe.