Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2025 - James Solomon, Mayor of Jersey City, NJ

2025 is the year for New Jersey elections, both at the state and local levels. In Jersey City, the second largest city in the state, its mayor announced he was stepping down to run for governor, so the office is now open. James Solomon (he/him), a millennial current city councilman, is viewed as one of the most progressive candidates in the race. The Jersey City race can be seen as a smaller parallel of the mayoral race across the Hudson River in New York City: a progressive candidate (Solomon/Zohran Mamdani) running against a former state governor who resigned in disgrace (Jim McGreevey/Andrew Cuomo) looking to make a political comeback.

James, a cancer survivor, is a professor of public policy at New Jersey City University, a public university in Jersey City, and is the father of three girls.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 57.5Andrew FOctober 8, 2025millenial, cancer survivor, father, fatherhood, politician, politics, Politics, #politics, election, #electionComment

Roots and Resonance: Ant Thomaz on Fatherhood, Fusion, and Finding Purpose

Some artists follow trends; others follow truth. In a world that often demands instant output and polished perfection, Ant Thomaz chooses presence, patience, and purpose. From morning meditations with his daughter to the chilled edges of the Irish Sea, his creative process is as deeply personal as it is universal. Rooted in Scotland but echoing with Louisiana soul, Ant’s story unfolds like a song—layered, honest, and impossible to ignore. Want to know what fuels the man behind the music? Read below to find out more.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 57.4Angelina DeSalvoAugust 12, 2025artists, music, fatherhood, father, songs, singer song writer, album, funk, jazz, soul, stage, performanceComment

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Sam Bell, Rhode Island Senate District 5

This week we continue our profiles of progressive candidates running for office in 2024! Today we are featuring Sam Bell, who is a Democratic Socialist Rhode Island State Senator. Sam (he/him) is a geologist with a Masters and PhD both from Brown University in Providence, the city of Sam’s district. He is most passionate about healthcare, housing, and fighting poverty. Sam and his wife Samantha are both openly bisexual and are proud parents to their 2-year-old son Jacob.

Garfield Wilson Leads With Empathy

Actor Garfield Wilson has a lot to look forward to after taking on projects such as the Nickelodeon TV series The Astronauts, TNT’s Snowpiercer and an upcoming Lorne Michaels musical comedy. Wilson’s resilience shines through his career and his relationship with his three children —all built on a foundation of acceptance, love and support. Wilson gets candid with Jejune on acting, his kids and advocacy as a parent to an LGBTQ child, raising awareness for the Black Lives Matter movement from his home in Canada, and how we can follow his example to provide better, more inclusive spaces.