Curating Freedom: Art as Resistance in the Story of Harriet Tubman

Tucked within the walls of the Gibbes Museum in Charleston, a powerful new exhibition brings to light a lesser-known chapter of Harriet Tubman’s legacy—the daring Combahee River Raid. Led by Sara Arnold, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Chief Curator, the show is a collaborative effort between historians, artists, and descendants whose stories converge to reframe how we see Tubman—not just as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, but as a military strategist and liberator. Picturing Freedom weaves together contemporary art, archival materials, and environmental photography into a rich, immersive narrative. What unfolded behind the scenes to bring this story to life? Read to find out more.

Art, Editor's Pick, zIssue 57.4Angelina DeSalvoAugust 18, 2025freedom, awareness, culture, exhibitComment

Documenting the Dance of Survival: Joe Hill on Match in a Haystack

From community theater in childhood to shooting a documentary in a war zone, Joe Hill’s journey as a filmmaker has taken him across continents, formats, and emotional terrain. With a background that spans investigative journalism, global travel, and a deep belief in the power of story, Hill brings a unique lens to his latest project—Match in a Haystack, a daring and intimate portrait of dancers creating art amid the chaos of war. What led him to Ukraine? Why use dance as a language in documentary filmmaking? And how did Misty Copeland get involved? Read on to find out more.

Art, Editor's Pick, zIssue 57.4Angelina DeSalvoAugust 15, 2025activism, pride, awareness, dance, art, artist, dancer, photography, film, creative, creativityComment

Kim Tran, Alliance Builder between the Black and Asian communities

Dr. Kim Tran (she/her) is an inspirational human being. She has lived her entire life in devotion to fighting for justice and building solidarity between like-minded people and groups. As a queer Asian woman, she is a prominent advocate for the LGBTQ community, the Black-Asian alliance, and opposing oppression. This intellectual has been a proponent for DEI long before DEI became a buzzword or reached the lips of the American mainstream. Read on to learn more about Dr. Kim Tran!

Leveling the Playing Field: How to Support Women Athletes and Traditionally Female Sports

Despite undeniable talent, dedication, and success, women athletes and sports traditionally associated with women, like gymnastics, figure skating, and softball, continue to receive significantly less financial backing and media exposure than their male counterparts. This impedance not only affects the livelihoods and opportunities of women in sports, but it also impacts how young girls view their potential in athletic spaces. To create a more equitable sporting world, systematic support and cultural change are essential. Here are several actionable ways we can all help support women athletes and elevate traditionally female sports:

Articles, Editor's Pick, zIssue 57.4Angelina DeSalvoAugust 13, 2025womens sports, athlete, female athlete, female sports, talent, gender equalityComment

Rachael Sage & Kristen Ford: Joy=Resistance

Coming together to perform on the “Joy=Resistance” tour are two queer musicians who aren’t afraid of speaking up. Singer-songwriters Rachel Sage and Kristen Ford see music as a universal language that creates community and connection, which is exactly what they hope to bring to each city on their tour. Sage’s latest single and upcoming album, “Canopy”, keeps inclusivity and acceptance at the forefront while Ford’s new single “Wild Heart” and album “Pinto” aim to fight back against oppression. Donating a portion of the proceeds from their tour to The Trevor Project, the two musicians fight even further to create safe spaces and provide solace for those in need. To learn more about Rachel Sage, Kristen Ford, and their Joy=Resistance tour, read on.

The Importance of Saving Public Broadcasting

Federal funding has helped keep public broadcasting stations like NPR, PBS, and several other stations on air for decades. Just recently, the Senate and the House passed a “Recission Act” that will greatly affect this funding. This act is a measure that has the ability to take away money that has already been budgeted by Congress and includes over a billion dollars in funding for public media. With these advances expected to be signed into law very soon by Trump, public broadcasting stations all over the country will take crucial funding hits and, for some, lose the ability to stay on air altogether.

Veronica Reyes on Raising Awareness Through a 90-Minute Comedic Journey

Veronica Reyes, creator of the series “Mother, May I Have A Kidney?”, aims to raise awareness about chronic kidney issues through the 90 minute comedic journey the show takes you on. With complex familial relationship dynamics, amusing character dialogue, and the battle of giving forgiveness, “Mother, May I Have A Kidney” is a wild ride that encourages reflection and sheds light on the difficult situation of experiencing kidney disease. With promising upcoming projects on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what else Reyes has in store for us! To learn more about Veronica Reyes and her latest creations, read on.

Rooted in Rhythm: How Asase Yaa is Preserving African Arts in Brooklyn

Based in the heart of Brooklyn, Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation has been creating powerful connections through African dance, music, and storytelling for over two decades. Their work brings generations together, uplifts youth, and keeps cultural traditions thriving in fresh and meaningful ways. In the interview below, they share insights into their journey, recent milestones, and the passion that fuels their mission. Read on to learn more about their impact and what’s ahead.

Art, Editor's Pick, zIssue 57.3Angelina DeSalvoJuly 23, 2025culture, dance, performance, performing, interview, purpose, service, community, artists, leaders, humanity, studentsComment

Profiting Off of Presidency

Trump has made millions of dollars profiting off of his supporters and will continue to do so throughout his time in office. Starting February of last year he has made several business ventures, from selling his own merchandise such as perfumes and bibles to selling cryptocurrency and creating his very own wireless service, effectively making his target consumers his supporters.

Putting the targeting of his supporters aside, holding onto and pursuing even more business opportunities while acting as president of the United States is unprecedented. In the past, presidents have opted to put their business ventures aside and focus their efforts on their presidential duties.

Empowered, Not Afraid: How to Prepare for and Respond to ICE Encounters

In the United States, interactions with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can be intimidating and, for many immigrant families, life-altering. Whether ICE is conducting raids, detaining individuals, or visiting homes and workplaces, it’s critical to understand that you have rights, no matter your immigration status. Knowing how to respond during an encounter can help protect you and your loved ones from unnecessary harm or legal consequences. Below are essential steps you can take to stay safe, informed, and empowered when dealing with ICE:

Nanná Millano's Musical Environmental Wake Up Call

Brazilian singer-songwriter Nanná Millano has created an impactful wake up call with the release of her new single “Wild Fire”. In lieu of the recent LA fires and ongoing devastation of the Amazon Rainforest in her home country, Millano’s “Wild Fire” brings attention to the impact humans are having on the environment and calls for change. She takes it a step further by partnering her music video with IPAM (Amazon Environmental Research Institute) to support Amazon Rainforest awareness and protection efforts. To learn more about Nanná Millano and her latest single, read on.

Mike De La Rocha: Man of Many Roles Working Towards Change

Mike De La Rocha is a man of many roles. As the author of “Sacred Lessons: Teaching My Father How To Love”, he has written a book that teaches men to unburden themselves from the weight of the patriarchy and accept vulnerability as a strength instead of a weakness. As a singer-songwriter, De La Rocha has transformed music into calls for action and anthems for social justice movements. As founder of Revolve Impact with a background in politics, he has been able to create an agency that embraces storytelling and creates campaigns that push for action. To learn more about Mike De La Rocha and the roles he’s played in pursuit of creating real change, read on.

SWAC: Influencer, Editor's Pick, zIssue 57.2Eva Elisa WellsJuly 16, 2025artist, Musician, music artist, Author, politics, Politics, author, music, business, policiesComment

Time for Peace: Wars Bring Environmental Devastation

Wars are incredibly destructive not only because of the death tolls they bring, but also their mass contributions to global warming. War is currently one of the biggest climate threats the world is facing.

But why is war so horrible for the environment?

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2025 - Deja Foxx, Arizona's 7th Congressional District

One of the candidates running for the Democratic nomination is Deja Foxx (she/her), a Gen Z Democratic political activist. Raised by a single mother, Deja experienced homelessness as a child and relied on free school lunches, food stamps, Section 8 housing, and Medicaid. In 2017 she confronted her Senator, Jeff Flake, about plans to remove federal funding for Planned Parenthood at a town hall, and ever since then she has been involved in politics, including founding the El Rio Community Health Center's Reproductive Health Access Project in her native Tucson, and working on Kamala Harris’ 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. For her activism, Deja is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Planned Parenthood’s Catalyst for Change Award, the Global Citizen Prize, the Gloria Steinem's Woman of Vision Award, the Muhammed Ali Humanitarian Award, and the United Nations Global Impact Award. Deja is running for Congress to fight for reproductive freedom, economic justice, and a government that actually works for young people and working-class families.

March Like You Mean It: A Protester's Safety Guide

In a world where voices are increasingly amplified through collective action, protesting remains one of the most impactful ways to demand justice, challenge inequality, and influence policy. From grassroots marches to global movements, peaceful protest is a vital expression of democratic freedom. But taking to the streets, whether for climate justice, civil rights, or labor reform, comes with responsibilities and risks. To make your participation as safe, effective, and informed as possible, it’s important to prepare beforehand, know your rights, and understand how to navigate both the energy and unpredictability of a public demonstration. Whether you’re marching through city streets or gathering in quiet solidarity, the steps below will help you stay safe while making your message impossible to ignore.

Articles, Editor's Pick, zIssue 57.2Angelina DeSalvoJuly 10, 2025protest, safety, rights, Amendment, mindfulness, brave, climate changeComment

Sam Lee on the Importance of Transgender Healthcare and Rights

From questions about discrimination and injustices, conservative legislation in not just the U.S. but around the world, and thoughts on fleeing the U.S., to advice, resources, and ways to support the queer community, transgender nurse Sam Lee speaks on the importance of transgender healthcare, rights, and what the future looks like for the community. To learn more about Sam Lee and her thoughts on these topics as a professional in the healthcare field and individual a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, read on.

Louis Henry Mitchell - Creativity is for Everyone

Everyone is an artist. Author of Qreative Evolution, Louis Henry Mitchell, explains how this is a truth throughout his new book and teaches others how to find their creativity and embrace it. As author of a book made for all and creative director of character design at Sesame Workshop for Sesame Street where he created the first ever Muppet on the autism spectrum, Mitchell brings inclusivity to the forefront of his work. With a podcast for all creative disciplines that teaches others how to be an artists coming soon, Mitchell is bringing us even more to look forward to and learn from. To discover more about Louis Henry Mitchell and his new book, read on.

Editor's Pick, Art, zIssue 57.2Eva Elisa WellsJuly 2, 2025Autism, creativity, creative, Creative, book, newbook, children, self-help, Artists, artistComment

Where in the World is it Safe to be Transgender?

As the first year of the Trump administration’s second term goes on, it is clear that the LGBTQIA+ community, especially those a part of the transgender community, will continue to be the target of several discriminatory laws, policies, and ideologies. Certain states in the U.S. are becoming increasingly unsafe for transgender individuals to reside in because of their more conservative government officials and the introduction of prejudicial state legislation that allows for discrimination.

In light of the growing hostility U.S. policies have towards the trans community, here is a list of the 5 safest cities in the U.S. and 5 safest cities outside of the U.S. for transgender individuals to live.

Freedom, Fun, and Festivities: Celebrating Juneteenth in Style

Freedom, joy, and soul food—Juneteenth is more than a history lesson; it’s a celebration of culture, community, and the triumph of liberation. Marked every June 19th, this vibrant holiday commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Texas finally heard the news: they were free. Today, Juneteenth is a time to honor that moment with music, storytelling, parades, and plenty of barbecue. Whether you’re joining your first Juneteenth celebration or keeping a family tradition alive, it's a powerful—and joyful—reminder that freedom is always worth celebrating.

Editor's Pick, Articles, zIssue 57.1Kylie MurphyJune 19, 2025Juneteenth, celebration, Non-profit, donation, Freedom, Fun, Black-owned, tradition, historyComment

Step up for Nature: Supporting Our Parks in a Summer of Strain

As summer unfolds and millions of Americans flock to our nation’s parks for hiking, camping, and reconnecting with nature, there's an unseen crisis quietly developing behind the trees and trails. A wave of ranger layoffs is leaving these treasured landscapes with fewer guardians than ever before. From Yellowstone to the Smoky Mountains, staff reductions mean fewer people to manage crowds, maintain trails and protect wildlife. At the same time, park attendance is surging, a perfect storm that threatens the health and beauty of our public lands. Without adequate staff to manage the influx of visitors, the integrity of our parks is at risk.

Editor's Pick, Articles, zIssue 57.1Angelina DeSalvoJune 18, 2025nature, parks, national parks, environment, environmental, protect wildlifeComment