"Indie Songs for Wistful Hearts": A Conversation with Darius Oon

Darius Oon is branching out on his own in the music industry. After a childhood of playing guitar and piano and listening to The Beatles with his parents, he’s been a proud member of a number of bands before releasing his first single as a solo artist this past June. Taking inspiration from Djo and Wallows, he describes his sound as having a certain “nostalgic quality.” Oon is also a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and cancer research, and has worked closely with many organizations that support these causes.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Alonna Berry, Delaware House of Representatives District 20

Alonna Berry (she/her), shows a way that Democrats can win over voters in rural areas. This Black millennial is constantly meeting with local leaders and constituents in her district, while always remaining true to her progressive principles, including advocating for protecting reproductive freedom, defending LGBTQ+ Delawareans, advancing racial equity, modernizing public education, expanding affordable housing, strengthening common sense gun safety laws, addressing climate change, and ensuring healthcare is accessible regardless of income or ZIP code. As Executive Director of the Delaware Center for Justice, Alonna works to advance restorative justice, reduce barriers to opportunity, and strengthen communities across Delaware.

Everything Going On With The Environment This Summer and How To Stay Safe

During mid-July in New York City, our beautiful skies were clouded and invaded by blown over smoke from a patch of Canadian wildfires. While the air quality here has significantly improved for the remainder of July, over 900 individual wildfires are still raging throughout Canada and covering about 3m hectares of land and diminishing air quality in those areas, other sectors of the United States and even reaching northern areas of Europe.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Meghan Kallman, Rhode Island Senate District 15

Today we are profiling a Rhode Island Senator who has been championing progressive laws since her election in 2020. Meghan Kallman (she/her), is a triple-sociology major who after college went to work for Amnesty International. Five years before entering state government, she co-founded Conceivable Future, a nonprofit organization that advocates for climate and reproductive justice. This millennial community organizer is also a professor of sociology at the University of Massachusetts at Boston, and is an avid trumpeter (see photo below). She is most passionate about social, environmental, and economic justice.

Conscious Summer: The Ultimate Vegan Guide for Warm Weather Shoes

With the arrival of summer comes the need for versatile footwear; however, dressing for the season shouldn't cost any living being its life. That is why I have put together a list of stylish, fun, and functional footwear made in an environmentally friendly way.

SWAC: Fashion, zIssue 59María Paula CastroAugust 24, 2026fashion, summer fashion, shoes, Vegan, summerComment

Festival Dressing: Why Personal Style Is Replacing Costume Culture

Festival fashion has entered a new era. Not long ago, many people approached music festivals as an opportunity to wear the loudest outfit they could find, often buying inexpensive clothing designed to be worn only once. Today, that mindset is steadily changing. Style is becoming more personal, more thoughtful and, in many cases, more sustainable.

Jejune ContributorAugust 24, 2026

G'Ra Asim Won't Be Tied Down to Just One Form Of Self-Expression

G’Ra Asim finds creative outlets for self-expression in everything he does. Teaching, writing, reading, making music and more are all pursuits he has delved into as a means of connecting with others through their share in their beliefs and passions. He has worked closely with multiple bands, sets of students and political organizations like the New York Immigrant Coalition, Say Her Name, and the African American Policy Forum to stand up for and support the rights of all people of color across the country.

Art, zIssue 59Olivia WeberAugust 21, 2026g'ra asim, olivia weber, music, book, Author, Musician, Black culture, BLM, mental health, Storytelling, artistComment

Why Natural Sea Moss Is Appealing to People Looking for Simple Ingredients

Walk through any grocery aisle or scroll through any wellness feed and you’ll see the same pattern: people are getting tired of long ingredient lists, vague “proprietary blends,” and products that promise everything at once. In response, many are moving in the opposite direction. They want ingredients they can recognize, understand, and fit into a routine without overthinking.

Jejune ContributorAugust 21, 2026

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Riley Rodriquez, Texas State Senate District 28

A hot issue in politics these days is the question of how Democrats will win elections again in rural areas. There are different answers: run on economic issues only, run blue-collar candidates, run someone deeply-embedded and well-known in the area. Today we are profiling a candidate who checks all three boxes. Riley Rodriquez (he/him), is a millennial who has held a number of jobs in his native West Texas: cowboy, oilfield hand, and small business owner. Riley’s platform focuses on healthcare and education as a human right, free school meals, and empowering the working class to take power back from the ruling elite.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 59Andrew FAugust 20, 2026latino, Native American, Native American Heritage, oil, election 2026Comment

COVER - Mr. Tell Williams - Disarming People Through Comedy

If you had told me ten years ago that one of my favorite ways that I would be getting my news is from a super hot half Puerto Rican gay man dressed as Jesus or the Devil I wouldn’t believe you, but Mr. Tell Williams’s hot takes on the political climate help me get through the day. A comedian with a heart of gold, Tell started his social media journey recanting stories from his teaching days and now educates the masses through his wholesome political and social commentary.

Some of my personal favorite videos of his are when he dresses as Jesus or the Devil, while they are cute and fun, I personally love his take on the characters and how they they might not be like what most Christians think they are, but actually a lot more like how I envision them. For example, maybe Jesus would be a fan of feeding kids school lunches and not killing lots of people, who knew?

Another wonderful thing about Tell is that he is a huge feminist and humanitarian. As a man who was raised by strong women he is often throwing his support for women and fighting for us to be treated well. In our current climate, it is so refreshing to see a guy standing up for women. And of course he doesn’t stop there. Tell also works with many LGBTQ+ organizations, mental heath (oh he is also a therapist!), the arts, and food banks. If you don’t already follow him, let our exclusive cover fashion editorial and interview, convince you to! And if you do, you are welcome, because there is nothing better than more Mr. Tell Williams.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Karen Alzate, Rhode Island House of Representatives District 60

Karen Alzate (she/her/ella), grew up in the United States under that shadow, so this issue is not new, it has just been dialed up. While in high school, Karen’s Colombian father was detained for eight months before being released. Then six years later, he was deported. Today, as a Rhode Island Representative, Karen stands up for the rights of immigrants to ensure they are treated humanely and with dignity. In the State House, she was a lead sponsor of the Millionaires Tax, and she has led legislation on women’s health, particularly menopause, going so far as to appear on The Real Housewives of Rhode Island to discuss menopause legislation.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 58.3Andrew FAugust 18, 2026women's health, latina, latine, latinx, Colombia, representatives, politics, politician, election 2026Comment

Rosalee Mayeux on being a "Model Mom," a Cancer Survivor and a Comedian

Rosalee Mayeux has had a thoroughly full and satisfying career. From modeling to acting to stand up comedy, she has experimented with every aspect of the industry possible and has worked very hard to make all her dreams and goals a reality. She has also recently overcome a devastating cancer diagnosis that she did not think she would survive, and works closely with the American Cancer Society to help other people that were once in her place.

Biribá Union is Bringing Back Real Instruments and Cultural Diversity to the Music Industry

Biriba Union is a band that celebrates unity, cultural expression and the warmth and authenticity that comes from playing a real instrument. Their advocacy for democracy and freedoms for all translates into their work as musicians and their humanitarian work through the organization “Play for the Vote.” You can stream all their unique and creative music through the links at the bottom of this article and be on the look out for more music from them at the end of the year.

Best Halloween Shirt Brands for Expressive Style: Top Picks for Spooky Season Fashion

Halloween fashion does not have to stop at costumes. A good Halloween shirt can bring a little personality to everyday outfits while still being easy to wear long after October 31. From colorful tie-dye designs to pop-culture graphics and classic spooky motifs, there are plenty of ways to make seasonal style feel personal.

Jejune ContributorAugust 14, 2026

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Jennifer O'Mara, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 165

The control of the Pennsylvania state legislature is split between a Republican majority in the Senate and a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives. But the majority in the House is extremely slim - currently 102 to 100, with one vacancy. In order to maintain their majority, strong Democratic candidates need to run across the state to capture more seats. One such strong candidate is Jennifer O’Mara (she/her), is a millennial representative who is the first Democrat to hold her seat. Jenn is passionate about protecting the environment, the LGBTQIA community, a woman’s right to choose, the right to vote, and the strength of unions and working people in Pennsylvania.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 58.3Andrew FAugust 13, 2026election 2026, election, politician, politics, Politics, #politics, #electionComment

Musical Duo CA in LA Encourage Women in Media to 'Have The Audacity' and 'Take Up Space'

CA in LA have been friends and collaborators since 2012, and always found a connection to one another through their passion for all things media. Whether it be film or music, they derive their greatest joy from creating and working together creatively. In an industry where standing up for yourself and your visions as a woman can be very difficult, this team wants to remind other women to find solace and comfort in their female friendships and peers. Be on the look out for their new single “Waking Up” that drops at the end of August.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Angie Nixon, U.S. Senate, Florida

Angie Nixon (she/her), a Florida State Representative, is running of the Democratic nomination. There has not been a Democrat in the U.S. Senate from Florida since 2018. Angie is a Black millennial ally to and fighter for the LGBTQ+ community who advocates for economic justice for the working class: a $25 minimum wage, rent stabilization, curbing corporate purchasing of residential housing, protecting reproductive rights, Medicare for All, and universal childcare and Pre-K.

Angie co-wrote a children’s book with her daughter called The Adventures of Moxie McGriff to help her embrace her natural hair, which ultimately transformed into a movement to boost self-esteem in young Black girls. She co-founded the Melanin Market in Jacksonville, FL, to provide healthy food options in a food desert while supporting local minority-owned small businesses. Angie also owns a bookstore and coffee shop in Jacksonville called Cafe Resistance, which she specifically created to serve as a community hub, provide free tutoring, and proudly stock the books that extremist Republicans in Florida are trying to ban. In May of this year, Angie was reprimanded by the Florida State House because for protesting the racist new congressional voting maps and she is now being prosecuted by DeSantis for peacefully protesting these maps in his office after he refused to meet with her.

The Silent Signals That Make People Trust You Fast

Before you introduce yourself, people are already reading the room. Your posture, your pace, your eye contact, your clothes, your materials and even the way you hand something over can all say, "I am prepared, capable and worth listening to." Trust rarely starts with a grand statement. More often, it begins with tiny signals that feel reassuring before anyone has explained a thing.

Jejune ContributorAugust 11, 2026Comment

This Summer's Top Eco-Friendly Beauty Trends and Where To Find Them

In the world of makeup and skincare, the 2020s have been defined by little to no visible product on the face. “Clean girl” minimalism and the “no make-up make-up look” have long lapped the 2010s passion for big, blocky eyebrows, cut creases with thick eyeliner, blinding highlighter and overdrawn lips. As someone who began her makeup journey during that heavy, colorful era, I yearn for the days when people wanted to go outside wearing more than the latest in an endless parade of lip oils.

SWAC: Beauty, zIssue 58.2Olivia WeberAugust 10, 2026olivia weber, beauty, makeup, sustainable, trends, style, summer, vegan, eco-friendlyComment

Cj Hendry Embraces The Inner Child In Her New Show Pastel

Cj Hendry is known for her extremely creative hyper realism whimsical art. She has a long history of bringing childlike experiences to New York City, from a giant bouncy castle room to tons of beautiful artificial flowers and now her new creation, Pastel.

Art, Editor's Pick, zIssue 58.3Kira BuccaAugust 7, 2026Art, pop up, Cj Hendry, female artists, nyc, things to doComment