I am a brand marketing and communications professional with 20 years of experience at agencies, in legacy + digital publishing, private consulting - both private and public sector. I am motivated by the impact brands can have on causes and culture, and ensuring the safety and accessibility of online spaces.

"This is a blatant example of how this administration uses antisemitism as a smoke screen to enact its plans to bully, blame and ban people, plans that have nothing to do with jews or our safety," Beran added.

A friend of mine who also graduated from SIPA | Columbia University who is a career official at the U.S. State Department texted me this morning and said - “I am lost and confused in this moment...and there’s nothing that I can do.”

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A judge is slamming the brakes on the Trump administration's attempt to deport a pro-Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University's 2024 student encampment protests.

Cbsnews

Protests grow in NYC over Columbia University pro-Palestinian activist's arrest as judge says he can't be deported yet

Christy Grace Provines

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Finding Humanity in Policy

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All eyes are on Columbia at present. It falls to us to ensure our University, and indeed the values of higher education more broadly, survive and thrive.

#[solidarity] #[alumni] #[sipa] #[columbiauniversity]

President.columbia.edu

Leading Through This Challenging Time | Office of the President

The Trump administration has been savvy in choosing unpopular targets: dismantling foreign aid, targeting transgender people, demonizing migrants and trashing elite colleges. Each of these moves chips away at bedrock American ideals. But free speech is not

The detention and removal of an out of state facility, of a permanent resident of the US, fellow New Yorker and alum from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) is abhorrent and unnerving. SIPA, like NYC, is highly diverse - home to many points of view and belief systems - and thrives through shared humanity and finding common ground. For the Trump Administration to attempt to stamp out freedom of expression and opposition in this way is un-American and un-democratic. Period. SIPA, connected to Columbia’s Law School, is ~70% international students… I myself spent three weeks in Israel and the Palestinian Territories on behalf of SIPA as part of a peace and security delegation in 2017 - this delegation was led by Israeli and Palestinian SIPA students and faculty. I take some comfort that the greatest minds, strongest voices, and most capable legal advisory will be and, no doubt are, working to bring Mahmoud home…. To say nothing of the SIPA student body, faculty and alumni community who stand in solidarity. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/nyregion/mahmoud-khalil-ice-louisiana.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

If this detention stands, what stops the Trump administration from detaining permanent residents who support other causes it does not like?

The New York Times

The Point
Conversations and insights about the moment.

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I love that film seasons overlap - 2025 is well underway. Film season 2024 ends tonight for me with the Oscars: (predictions below)
Best supporting actor - Kieren Caulkin (A Real Pain)
Best Actor - Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
Best Actress - Demi Moore (The Substance)
Best Screenplay - Anora
Best Picture - Anora
Best Foreign Film - The Seed of a Sacred Fig
Documentary : Porcelain War and No Other Land
Late Breaking Correction: Mikey Madison - best actress - holy wow, but yes, Well deserved!
Long Live <a href="/search?search=%23indiefilm" type="hashtag">#indiefilm</a>

Film Season

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Veselka is a beloved Ukranian diner in NYC's east village. It's been there for countless late night meals over the years and is a place every New Yorker has at least one fond memory of. In 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, this family owned New York favorite became the heart of activism and New York based advocacy for Ukraine. I led the founding of an initiative on the UWS called Ukraine With Love. We had the privilege of working with third-generation owner of Veselka, Jason Blanchard, in fundraising, purchasing and shipping much-needed supplies from New York City directly into Ukraine and the front lines. We also worked with him to coordinate through a local restaurant on the Polish/Ukrainian border to fund hot meals being driven across the border to refugees fleeing their homes. In the early days of the war before infrastructure could be set up on the ground, it was citizen-led initiatives and efforts that made a difference.
A documentary just came out on this restaurant and its efforts through the war - it tells the story of an immigrant family, a country fighting for survival and the diaspora community here in NYC powered by a beloved NYC institution - VESELKA - watch on Amazon Prime.