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In this live, interactive episode, Gen Z hosts lead a powerful convo with experts and peers on how social media, algorithms, and digital pressure shape confidence, body image and self-worth - and how to protect yourself in a world built on likes, filters, and comparison.
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Experts & Emcee's

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Adele Taylor

NOFILTR, Thorn

Adele Taylor is a strategist and advocate focused on youth empowerment, digital equity, and making the internet a safer place to grow up. She leads NoFiltr, a youth-powered initiative that helps tech companies actually listen to Gen Z and build more inclusive, supportive digital spaces.

Through real partnerships (not performative ones), Adele and NoFiltr turn youth insight into action—shifting platforms from checking boxes to co-creating healthier online experiences. She’s also the founder of Adele’s Literacy Library, which has reached over 35,000 young people around the world.

Previously, Adele led digital programs at Thorn and served on The Gem Project’s leadership team. Today, she works across tech, philanthropy, and advocacy to push for digital wellbeing, youth voice, and responsible innovation.

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Rena Howard

NOFILTR

Rena Howard is a brand storyteller and digital marketing leader with nearly a decade of experience helping brands grow online in ways that actually connect. She’s led 100+ campaigns across social platforms, driving massive audience growth through smart, data-backed storytelling.

At NoFiltr, Rena leads brand and creative marketing for youth-focused content shaped with young people—not just for them. Working closely with the NoFiltr Youth Innovation Council, her work centers on digital citizenship, wellbeing, and building safer, more supportive online spaces.

She’s partnered with platforms like Pinterest, Discord, Twitch, and Meta, and holds a degree in Public Relations and Human Rights from USC. Rena’s passion sits at the intersection of culture, community, and creating the internet Gen Z actually deserves.

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Danae Mercer

Journalist, Speaker

Danae Mercer is an award-winning journalist, body image advocate, and the creator behind a community of over 3 million people across social media. She’s known for breaking down unrealistic beauty standards and calling out the ways media and social platforms distort how we see ourselves.

Through her viral side-by-side posts, Danae shows what’s really behind the “perfect” photos—lighting, angles, posing, and editing— and reminds young women that bodies aren’t meant to look one way. Her work has been featured by major global outlets, and she continues to empower girls and women to think critically, trust their bodies, and show up as they are.

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Annabelle, MC

Cloudstate Council

Annabelle Jackson is a Division I lacrosse player at American University and a Business & Entertainment major with a Marketing minor at the Kogod School of Business. A Patriot League student-athlete and Academic Honor Roll honoree, she brings discipline, leadership, and a team-first mindset both on and off the field.

Annabelle is passionate about body confidence in sports. After years of comparing her body to others, she learned to embrace it for what it is — strong, capable, and powerful. She now uses her voice to encourage young women to redefine “normal” by following and celebrating athletes who reflect real, strong bodies. As a student-athlete leader, she represents the intersection of athletics, confidence, and business-driven impact.

Experts & Emcee's

Adele Taylor

NOFILTR, Thorn

Adele Taylor is a strategist and advocate focused on youth empowerment, digital equity, and making the internet a safer place to grow up. She leads NoFiltr, a youth-powered initiative that helps tech companies actually listen to Gen Z and build more inclusive, supportive digital spaces.

Through real partnerships (not performative ones), Adele and NoFiltr turn youth insight into action—shifting platforms from checking boxes to co-creating healthier online experiences. She’s also the founder of Adele’s Literacy Library, which has reached over 35,000 young people around the world.

Previously, Adele led digital programs at Thorn and served on The Gem Project’s leadership team. Today, she works across tech, philanthropy, and advocacy to push for digital wellbeing, youth voice, and responsible innovation.

Rena Howard

NOFILTR

Rena Howard is a brand storyteller and digital marketing leader with nearly a decade of experience helping brands grow online in ways that actually connect. She’s led 100+ campaigns across social platforms, driving massive audience growth through smart, data-backed storytelling.

At NoFiltr, Rena leads brand and creative marketing for youth-focused content shaped with young people—not just for them. Working closely with the NoFiltr Youth Innovation Council, her work centers on digital citizenship, wellbeing, and building safer, more supportive online spaces.

She’s partnered with platforms like Pinterest, Discord, Twitch, and Meta, and holds a degree in Public Relations and Human Rights from USC. Rena’s passion sits at the intersection of culture, community, and creating the internet Gen Z actually deserves.

Danae Mercer

Journalist, Speaker

Danae Mercer is an award-winning journalist, body image advocate, and the creator behind a community of over 3 million people across social media. She’s known for breaking down unrealistic beauty standards and calling out the ways media and social platforms distort how we see ourselves.

Through her viral side-by-side posts, Danae shows what’s really behind the “perfect” photos—lighting, angles, posing, and editing— and reminds young women that bodies aren’t meant to look one way. Her work has been featured by major global outlets, and she continues to empower girls and women to think critically, trust their bodies, and show up as they are.

Annabelle, MC

Cloudstate Council

Annabelle Jackson is a Division I lacrosse player at American University and a Business & Entertainment major with a Marketing minor at the Kogod School of Business. A Patriot League student-athlete and Academic Honor Roll honoree, she brings discipline, leadership, and a team-first mindset both on and off the field.

Annabelle is passionate about body confidence in sports. After years of comparing her body to others, she learned to embrace it for what it is — strong, capable, and powerful. She now uses her voice to encourage young women to redefine “normal” by following and celebrating athletes who reflect real, strong bodies. As a student-athlete leader, she represents the intersection of athletics, confidence, and business-driven impact.

Words from our Council

Advice from the generation redefining girlhood and confidence

"As a woman growing up you go through many changes and experience so many different things, but I believe Cloudstate allows you to have a sense of community! By knowing there are girls all over that can relate to whatever you are going through, helps make those milestones easier to work through!"

Chloe, 21

Council Member

"It's essential to utilize stress-releasing outlets, as no one receives an award for suffering in silence. Cloudstate is a great example of a healthy outlet to tap into when feeling anxious, stressed, or having a mental block in life!"

Danielle, 22

Council Member

"Handling all of the mental pressure is no easy task, one easy way to handle it by talking to someone who relates. In my case, I talk to my mom a lot who has gone through what I am going through and gives the right comfort and advice. Having a community and platform like Cloudstate can be that outside perspective and friend to help you through any mental challenges!"

Mariah, 18

Council Member

"The biggest lesson I’ve learned from the past couple of years is how much your mindset shapes everything. Putting your focus towards it and changing the negative to positives when things get difficult has made such a big difference in my life. No matter how hard it gets just know you can get through it. #Cloudstate"

Paige, 19

Council Member

Who's behind Cloudstate?

Meet the team behind Cloudstate's impact-driven venture

Meg Smith, Founder & CEO

A mom of two tween girls and seasoned brand builder featured in The New York Times and Entrepreneur, brings lived experience, vision and relentless dedication to Cloudstate's movement.

Blake Simpson, Strategic Growth & Corporate Affairs

Formerly Under Armour and Adtalem, seen in Fast Company and TedX, Blake is a communications strategist with deep storytelling roots, ensuring our mission, purpose and credibility resonates far and wide.

Nell Shapiro, Head of Brand and Community

Former educator, Founder of Kibou and community builder of 40,000+ parents, Nell brings sharp brand instincts and a proven ability to scale impact, she leads with heart and grit.

Dr. Jessica Shepherd, Co-Founder

Trusted OBGYN (seen on Mel Robbins, Today Show, GMA, HERS) and women’s health advocate, grounds Cloudstate in medical expertise and authenticity.