Category Archives: In the News

Minnesota Vikings Back Male Cheerleaders Despite Backlash

The Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 cheerleading squad includes two men, Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn. They made the team through the same audition process as everyone else. Their addition, however, sparked backlash from some fans and public figures, with criticism ranging … Continue reading →

Posted in In the News, Sports | Tagged backlash, Blaize Shiek, cheerleading, equality, football culture, gender roles, homophobic, Louie Conn, male cheerleaders, minnesota, Minnesota Vikings, nfl, representation in sports, sports inclusivity, vikings | Leave a comment

Morocco’s Kenza Layli Crowned First-Ever Miss AI in Groundbreaking Virtual Pageant

History was made this week as the world’s first Miss AI pageant culminated in the coronation of Kenza Layli, a Moroccan AI influencer. This groundbreaking event shattered traditional beauty standards and showcased the potential for a stunning fusion of technology … Continue reading →

Posted in In the News | Tagged ai influencer, beauty, beauty pageant, beauty standards, kenza layli, miss ai, miss ai pageant, morocco, redefine beauty, technology and humanity | Leave a comment

71-Year-Old Makes History at Miss Texas USA, Hopes to Inspire Others

Marissa Teijo, a vibrant 71-year-old, defied expectations and shattered age barriers this weekend by competing for the coveted title of Miss Texas USA. Her participation breathes new life into the saying “age is just a number,” proving that dreams can … Continue reading →

Posted in In the News, Story | Tagged age is just a number, age restrictions, emotional abuse, Marissa Teijo, mental health, Miss Paso del Norte, Miss Teen USA, miss texas, miss texas usa pageant, Miss Universe, Miss USA, Noelia Voigt, toxic environment, UmaSofia Srivastava | Leave a comment

Star Trek’s Helmsman Charts a Course for Equality: George Takei Named LA Pride Grand Marshal and Reflects on Lost Freedom

Actor and activist George Takei, known for his iconic role as Hikaru Sulu in Star Trek, is beaming with pride in more ways than one. Recently named the Icon Grand Marshal for the 2024 LA Pride Parade, the 87-year-old continues … Continue reading →

Posted in In the News, Story | Tagged equality, george takei, helmsman, Japanese American, Japanese Americans internment, LA Pride Parade, lgbtq+, my lost freedom, Power in Pride, racial equality, star trek | Leave a comment

Mexico Elects Claudia Sheinbaum as First Female and Jewish President

In a historic election, Mexico has chosen Claudia Sheinbaum as its first female president, and the first president of Jewish heritage, marking a significant milestone in the country’s 200-year history. A physicist and engineer, Sheinbaum’s victory was confirmed early Monday, … Continue reading →

Posted in In the News | Tagged Claudia Sheinbaum, engineer, female president, jewish president, López Obrador, mexico, physicist, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, woman president | Leave a comment

Anja Rozen, winner of art showing what peace looks like: “We are all connected to our planet and to each other”

This drawing is by Anja Rozen, a 13 year old primary school student in Slovenia. She was chosen from 600,000 children around the world to create a piece of art to show what peace looks like. She is the winner … Continue reading →

Posted in In the News, Story | Tagged anja rozen, art, drawing, peace, Plakat Miru competition, slovenia, weave, what peace looks like | Leave a comment

From Survivor to Advocate to Space: Amanda Nguyen’s Fight for Sexual Assault Survivors, and a dream deferred realized

Amanda Nguyen’s story is one of resilience, courage, and a relentless pursuit of justice. The child of Vietnamese refugees, Nguyen faced adversity from a young age. But nothing could have prepared her for the trauma she endured as a senior … Continue reading →

Posted in In the News, Story | Tagged advocacy, Amanda Nguyen, broken system, dream, hope, nobel peace prize, rape, refugee, resilience, Rise, sexual assault, space for humanity citizen astronaut program, vietnamese | Leave a comment

Scouting for All: The Boy Scouts of America Rebrands as Scouting America to Promote Inclusion

The iconic campfire scene, a hallmark of the Boy Scouts of America for over a century, is about to get a makeover. In a move symbolizing a new era, the organization is undergoing a historic rebranding, becoming Scouting America. This … Continue reading →

Posted in In the News | Tagged boy scouts of america, bsa, diversity, inclusion, roger krone, scouting america, sexual abuse | Leave a comment

Hearing the Darkness: Astronomers Translate the Eclipse for Blind and Low-Vision People

The upcoming solar eclipse on April 8th promises to be a spectacular event. But for people who are blind or have low vision, experiencing the phenomenon can feel out of reach. Enter a group of dedicated astronomers at Harvard who … Continue reading →

Posted in In the News | Tagged accessibility, accessibility for blind, astronomy, eclipse, inclusion, lightsound project, sensory experience, solar eclipse, sonification | Leave a comment

Touchdown for Teamwork: Big Brothers Big Sisters & The NFL Tackle Youth Mentoring, with Big Assist from Game Changers Initiative

Calling all football fans and changemakers! Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) and the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative are joining forces for a powerful touchdown – one that goes way beyond the gridiron. This dynamic partnership tackles a crucial … Continue reading →

Posted in In the News | Tagged aloe blace, bbbsa, big brothers big sisters, bigs, calais campbell, daymond john, griff, inspire change, kelvin buncum, lamar jackson, littles, makola m. abdullah, mentorship, nate burleson, nfl, rachaad white, solomon thomas, sway calloway, terrance williams, wayne brady | Leave a comment