Features

Rebbecca Maxwell, Cleveland-based influencer and founder of She’s Company, hosts events where the women of Cleveland support each other, expand their circles and party it up! Written by Ava Brennan Rebecca Maxwell is a Cleveland girl through and through. She has an Instagram following of  nearly 35K, and is the owner of She’s Company and Two One Thrift . Growing up in Cleveland Heights, Maxwell always had a passion for capturing memories through taking photos.  “In high scho

As the Cleveland International Film Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary, the documentary “And Again I Dream” preserves Ivy Young’s legacy of activism, identity and art. Written by Isabella Mockbee Art and politics have always been intertwined. Just as democracy makes people’s voices heard, film festivals provide platforms for underrepresented stories to be told. The Cleveland International Film Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary this spring, showing a diverse

The “messy girl” aesthetic was once a reflection of survival rather than style – now it’s been sold out. Written by Nicole Wloszek-Therens In an online culture driven by constant consumption, the internet never stops hunting for its next obsession. Emerging at the top of trend predictions, crawling out of an unmade bed with last night’s lipstick smeared across a pillowcase, is an unexpected contender: the messy girl.  The modern messy girl relies on an intentionally undone en

Cleveland’s do-it-yourself music scene is holding on through care, community and commitment from members who need it most. Written by Nicole Wloszek-Therens Beyond the Ticketmaster fees and overcrowded stadium shows, a more authentic live music scene exists in Cleveland’s underground. Powered by musicians fueled by the love of the game, the do-it-yourself scene demonstrates what’s possible with just a few necessities: an open space, a power source and a few equally enthusiast

Felicia Henry, known across Cleveland State as “Ms. Felicia,” has spent eight years welcoming students at the Law Link snack shop with a smile and a “good morning.” Written by Sage Colón Students passing through the law building at Cleveland State University often hear the same greeting as they walk by the snack shop. “Good morning,” Felicia Henry says with a smile. Known to students across campus as “Ms. Felicia,” this familiar face has become a welcoming presence for many s

In a city long dominated by traditional sports culture, The W Sports Bar is creating a space where women’s teams and their fans can feel seen, safe and welcome. Written by Helaina Rucinski On any given night inside The W Sports Bar , the volume is up, jerseys are visible and cheers from fans come without hesitation. The screens aren’t on the expected default of men's games. Instead, WNBA matchups, NWSL games and NCAA women’s tournament showdowns take priority. Strangers cheer

Once classmates and childhood friends who lost touch, Cleveland State University students show how college can transform old connections into unbreakable bonds. Written by Sage Colón Zoe Revay wasn’t expecting to recognize anyone when she walked into class during her first semester at Cleveland State University in the fall of 2023. She was still learning the building, navigating the new routines and adjusting to the quiet pressure of starting over. Then she heard a familiar n

For this independent team of creatives, filmmaking isn’t about rigidity and rules - it’s about finding your people and making something unique together. Written by Nicole Wloszek-Therens Growing up in the 2000s, many of us were surrounded by our favorite films packed in the puffy plastic VHS containers. Watching movies was a tactile experience – lining the tape with the little plastic door and hearing the VCR player’s mechanical hum as the screen flickered to life. A familiar

A thought on the online echo chamber of men who compete to out-bully each other. Written by Kylee Herrick Beauty standards are one of many man-made concerns that have tormented the self-esteem of humanity, with the increasing influence of online spaces further fueling the intensity of bullying and exclusion.  Cisgender men have remained relatively safe from the crushing pressure of weight loss, plastic surgery and fashion advertising that deliberately target female-presenting

From twinkling lights to ice skating and holiday markets, downtown Cleveland comes alive in the wintertime. Written by Sage Colón Winter in Cleveland doesn't have to mean hibernating and hiding from the cold – it can mean bundling up and heading downtown. From twinkling light displays along the lakefront to ice skating under the glow of Public Square, the city turns into its own snow globe once the temperatures drop. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a festive date nig

It is anyone’s guess who will be a part of the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, but certain artists lie in the hot seat – or have for a long, long time. Written by Kylee Herrick Within the glass pyramid that hovers over Cleveland’s downtown region, resides an ecosystem of musical history and relics of legendary artists. To be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a privilege only bestowed upon those considered to have left a monumental effect on the music indu

My personal testimony on keeping one healthy goal daily to improve life. Written by Ava Brennan “Did you make a New Year's resolution?”  New Year’s resolutions are positive goals people set for themselves to improve their physical, mental or personal wellbeing. These resolutions can include making new healthy habits or breaking undesirable ones. Some aim for small milestones, like learning to bake bread, while others go after larger ones, like earning a promotion at work.  In

A look inside Burning River Roller Derby, a skater-run, inclusive Cleveland league that blends fast-paced competition with community, teamwork and passion. Written by Helaina Rucinski At the sound of the whistle, the skaters take off, and the rattling of wheels intensifies as they make their way around the track. The jammer darts for an opening that vanishes nearly as quickly as it appears, blockers close gaps and skaters scramble to make a move. As the action unfolds on the

How music can promote mental health in peak seasonal depression months. Written by Ava Brennan The air grows cold, and daylight grows scarce. Getting out of bed in the morning is often hard enough without the promise of a bone-chilling breeze as you walk down Euclid Avenue. The months of December, January and February are often perceived as peak times for seasonal depression. According to the Cleveland Clinic, "Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression trigger

Written by Kylee Herrick Cleveland’s history with the cranky file clerk who called the city home and subsequently transformed the comic narrative. “Harvey Pekar? That doesn’t sound like a superhero to me.” (“American Splendor,” 2003) This past summer, Cleveland celebrated as James Gunn’s film, “Superman,” hit theaters and plastered the city on television screens and IMAX theaters. The so-called “Mistake by the Lake” was finally able to bring its superhero back home and see hi

Written by Ava Brennan How to tackle extravagant holiday meals while nurturing the body. Delicious recipes at bottom of this post! Two of the biggest feasting holidays are right around the corner. Some may spend this time preparing, walking extra steps to balance out incoming calories, while others accept the not-so-good feelings that come with the “feel-good” foods. In a large family like mine, creating extravagant holiday meals is no small feat. The responsibility of planni

Written by Nicole Wloszek-Therens Guice Mann shares the story of his journey as an artist, and his mission to spread positivity through all that he creates. Cleveland’s art culture thrives in the hidden nooks of the city where innovators and creators transform unassuming warehouse spaces into vibrant studios. Artists pour their souls into their work and their creativity spills onto the streets with murals and installations that breathe life into the industrial landscape. In a

Written by Helaina Rucinski Why does Thanksgiving dinner so often turn into a battleground of tension? For many families, the turkey isn’t the only thing getting roasted at Thanksgiving dinner. The holiday meal may seem more like a contest than a celebration with all the political debates, unsolicited life advice, and that one relative who “just wants to talk about the election.” As voices of family members become louder and mashed potatoes grow colder, you might find someone

Written by Kirsten Kimbler CSU’s Studio: Sillie collective shines a spotlight on student filmmakers with its first short film showcase – with proceeds going to Cleveland’s growing film scene. Cleveland State’s film scene will take center stage on Nov. 30, as Studio: Sillie Showcase – a dynamic collective of CSU students and graduates dedicated to producing original short film content – hosts its first short film showcase.  The showcase will feature 10 short films produced by

Written by Sage Colón Inside the rise of one of Cleveland’s biggest sports meme pages. The Turning Point As Aidan Crowley looked around at the crowd outside the Browns stadium on Feb. 3, 2025, he realized the potential he held in his hands. No more than three hours earlier, he had been sitting with his friends when news broke that Myles Garrett – one of the Cleveland Browns’ most beloved players – was requesting a trade. That morning, Crowley rushed to make an Instagram post

Written by Nicole Wloszek-Therens A look into the legend and lore entwined in one of Cleveland’s most infamous homes. Next time you find yourself in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland, keep an eye out for the towering stone house on Franklin Boulevard. Its roof juts out among the treetops, which seem planted to shield it from the questioning stares of passersby. The iron fence has a heavy lock and chain that reinforce the theory. Don’t look for too long, though – you mig

Written by Kylee Herrick With the CSU student radio station’s annual Halloween tradition just around the corner, it is time to put the spotlight on the students providing a source of alternative music and entertainment. ***At press time, news broke that WCSB has been taken over by Ideastream. The implications of this transition remain unclear, raising concerns about the future of one of the few truly independent student voices on campus. At press time, there was no confirmati

Written by Ava Brennan A local barista gives insight on the mastery of latte art and her personal experience in winning her first latte art throwdown. Autumn has arrived – the leaves are changing, the air is crisp and the cozy season is officially here. For many of us, it's the moment our coffee orders transition from iced to hot. What’s better than a warm latte on a cool day? One topped with a beautiful design. Rosetta pour | Photo Credit: Joelle Kristoff Latte art is achiev

CSU student Josie Wilka tells her experience of being in the upcoming “Superman” movie and being diagnosed with moyamoya disease within...

How FAN EXPO Cleveland took over the city. Written by Izzy Aparicio Cleveland, usually the city of devoted sports fans, is used to having...

Putting CSU’s fencers in the limelight. Written by Sage Colón Maia Taylor-Casamayor huddled around her teammates in a tight circle, the...

The true story of my father’s near fatal fall. Written by Morgan Alten “The only way anyone knew I fell off the cliff was because I made...

Reflecting on Black History Month in the current political and cultural landscape. Written by Derek M. Williams It started 99 years ago...

A behind the scenes look at moviemaking. Written by Jake Ryan There’s a common debate among college students about what the easiest...

A playlist with all songs about empowering women. Written by Julia Lastic For those who don’t know, March is Women’s History Month! What...

Meet the strong women who are in charge of university clubs in male-dominated fields. Written by   Evan Peters Peeking through...

Leaving messages for women who inspire us. Written by Faith-Ann G. English “Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another....

How a mother and son duo inspire lifelong learning in each other. Written by Casey Couch "I really think we should encourage people, who...

The legacy of Dorothy Fuldheim in Cleveland media. Written by Sage Colón In a time when the airwaves were dominated by male voices,...

The rise of the Professional Women's Hockey League and how they are changing the game. Written by Miranda Wyse In August 2023, the world...

Give women their accomplishments back. Written by Alyssa Maree In the eyes of history, too many women’s accomplishments have been...

The inaugural induction and ceremony honored myself and Hannah Gates with nominations. Written by Tyisha Blade " Being a Black woman and...

A personal story from the LA fires. Written by Jake Ryan “In my direct area, there is little change, but for the areas like the Palisades...

This is for the Black girls who refuse to be boxed in. Your Blackness isn’t something to prove or perform, it just is, in all its depth...

Two students’ exciting experiences abroad. Written by Christina Ibos "Definitely do it! Living in a foreign country isn’t always easy,...

Cleveland Monsters rise after a slippery start, but challenges remain on the ice. Written by Miranda Wyse "Despite all that, the team...

Highlighting the fraternity and sorority life community at CSU. Written by Faith-Ann G. English "They think of seas of blonde hair and...

The experience of international students who will be on campus for the holidays. Written by Aaron Inskeep Last November, I decided to...

Why some out-of-state students don’t go home. Written by Izzy Aparicio For many college students, the holiday season means a return...

Showcasing the iconic movie home from the classic Christmas movie. Written by Aaron Inskeep “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” As winter...

The passion behind seasonal traditions. Written by Ava Fuduric The holidays are on the way and people all over the world are gearing up...

CSU student works as haunt actor and gives insight about professionally scaring. Written by  Kirsten Kimbler For five days a week, Dylan...

How the historical site is being preserved for future generations. Written by Casey Couch Excited chatter fills the air on a summer’s day...

A look at the fall corn tourism in the Northeast Ohio. Written by Aaron Inskeep It’s corn!  Corn not only fuels the economy in Ohio, but...

Songs to seamlessly carry you from this season into the next. Written by Sophie Farrar Find The Vindicator on Spotify @vindi_csu or...