On this Thursday night, that is distant history. As fog rolls in over the Venice Pier, Sarah skates alongside dozens of women on the coastal path. They belt out the lyrics to "Hey Jude" as singer Chloe Kat serenades them with a guitar in hand. Curious fishermen eye them, their fishing lines cast into the black ocean. But they pay no attention. Twirling under the moonlight, the women resemble a witch's coven - their spells are good vibes, California weather and the boards beneath their feet.
feel welcome to the party, I don't want racists around, and I don't want sexist people around, and I don't want people there who think that trans people are a burden. I think that's a hard line for me now. I hope it naturally happens that people who do harbour those harmful ideologies aren't going to feel welcome, because they're going to walk in the door and realise that the gang's all here, all banded together around something positive,
For more than three decades, Liz Johnson Artur has photographed the people I'm with a characteristically modest expression that belies the radiance, intimacy and unshowy brilliance of her pictures, an extraordinary archive numbering thousands of images that celebrate beauty, resilience, community and resistance. Intimate and alive, her photographs often shot on the fly, in streets, nightclubs and living rooms pull you right into the moment, just before it disappears for good.
Economic uncertainty has pushed consumers to become far more selective with their spending, resulting in ongoing sales declines and reduced foot traffic for many retailers. This weakening demand has forced even the most established brands to close stores as they grapple with declining customer demand and the continued rise of online shopping. However, while many long-standing retailers struggle to stay afloat, a newer contender has emerged as a significant player in the industry.
Its purpose was to highlight a cohort of individuals working in video games as the bright, bold and inclusive future of the industry. Considering the widespread reach of the annual Keighley-led show, which saw an estimated 154m livestreams last year, Future Class felt like a genuine effort. Inductees were invited to attend the illustrious December ceremony, billed as gaming's Oscars, featured on the official Game Awards website, and promised networking opportunities and career advancement advice.
Throughout America's obsession with yoga the last half century, our perception and interpretation of it has changed considerably with each decade. The 2010s were a time of incredible change. More and more people were practicing yoga yet in many ways, it remained an exclusive practice due to issues related to accessibility, inclusivity, and financial considerations. By the end of the decade, tremendous progress had been made that would set the stage for the way we currently practice.
The death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 became a catalyst for increased diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across companies in the US and globally. However, recent years have seen growing criticism, reaching a peak earlier this year when Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders rolling back DEI initiatives. "When hostility toward DEI grew louder, we didn't retreat," says Ricardo.
My final dispatch from the annual genre fest known as Fantastic Fest highlights three young filmmakers, a reminder of how much this event seeks to amplify new talent. It's also a remarkable showcase for inclusivity, as the programming team seeks out and elevates the kind of voices that the Hollywood system often ignores, including LGTBQ filmmakers and artists from regions of the world that don't get highlighted enough on the culture-shaping streaming services.
"Brand is the thread that connects every part of an organisation together and shows what it stands for," says Tosh Hall, global chief creative officer at JKR. "For Blood Cancer United, that meant creating a brand united for all. That spirit now runs through everything, from the name to the design systems to the behaviours, building unity for the work it does and, most importantly, speaking to everyone touched by blood cancer."
The irony of being lectured for 'insularity' during an anti-discrimination workshop highlights the unawareness of those leading the training, showcasing a disconnect in understanding.
Labrador specifically referenced signs hung by Sarah Inama, a sixth grade history teacher at Lewis and Clark Middle School who went viral in March after she revealed that Ada School District administration ordered her to remove signs in her classroom that read "In This Room, Everyone Is Welcome, Important, Accepted, Respected, Encouraged, Valued, Equal," and "Everyone Is Welcome Here."
"This is often a stressful time for families with autism or sensory issues. So I like to have this event to really bring the families together to experience and hopefully have a core memory around Red, White and BOOM!"
The United Colleges Group 2025 Student Awards celebrated achievement, growth, and success, honoring outstanding students in multiple categories such as Improving Student of the Year and Adult Learner of the Year.