From our contributors

Sarah Kay (“The Soldier and the Movie Star”) captivated us with her family’s epic love story. For more of Sarah’s poetry, start with “If I should have a daughter.” Then grab a copy of one of her poetry collections, like The Type. Sarah is also the co-founder of Project Voice, an organization that uses poetry to entertain, educate, and inspire students around the world.

You may recognize Ryan O’Connell (“Roaring Thirties”) from his starring role in Netflix’s Special, a semi-autobiographical series he also created and executive-produced, adapted from his memoir, I’m Special. Next up, you can catch Ryan starring in Peacock’s Queer as Folk or get more familiar with his writing by reading his new novel, Just by Looking at Him.

If you’re looking to watch another powerful film from Nadav Kurtz (“Sam and Omar”), take a look at Paraíso, his documentary short following three immigrant window cleaners who rappel down Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers. The film was a Sundance Film Festival selection. Watch it now.

When not writing apology letters, Pamela Rae Schuller (“Sorry, Not Sorry”) is a comedian and disability advocate. She has brought her blend of advocacy and comedy to almost every state in the U.S. and across six countries and has opened for everyone from Joan Rivers to Pete Holmes to Fetty Wap. Next up, catch her live at an upcoming performance of her one-woman show, What Makes Me Tic.

For more music from Victoria Canal (“Swan Song”), listen to Victoria’s latest EP, Elegy. She joined the Pop-Up Magazine stage hot off her headline Elegy tour and a memorable duet with Chris Martin on “Swan Song.” Martin called the song “one of the best songs ever written.” We agree!

Hermit crab fans, rejoice: You can hear more of Rachael Cusick’s (“Be the Ocean”) reporting from her work as a radio producer at Radiolab. Rachael has produced such memorable episodes as “The Queen of Dying,” about the stages of grief and death. And make it a point to read her Modern Love essay about her relationship with her grandmother.

Ben and Rhonda Partain (“Blind Date”) were introduced to us by the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, which promotes the independence and self-reliance of people who are blind or have low vision. Based in Atlanta, Ben and Rhonda speak publicly about diversity, inclusion, and accessibility around the country.

Adrian L. Burrell (“Mama’s Babies”) has been documenting his family’s life in West Oakland since he was in high school. You saw one part of this work tonight, but the project is ongoing. Adrian’s work focuses on collective family storytelling and telling intimate, incisive stories of Blackness in America through visual media and sculpture installations. Watch Adrian’s latest film, The Game God(S), which tackles modern Blackness and unpacks the American Dream.

Thanks to the very talented artists and illustrators who helped make tonight’s show beautiful: The Little Labs (“Blind Date” and “Drawing a New Path”), Anuj Shrestha (“Blind Date”), Hokyoung Kim (“The Soldier and the Movie Star”), Miranda Bruce (“Sorry, Not Sorry”), Min Heo (“Be the Ocean”), Danie Drankwalter (“Roaring Thirties”), Jordan Kay (“For Black Girls”), and an extra-special thanks to our incredible music director, Minna Choi, and our house band, the Magik*Magik Orchestra.