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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JUNE 11, 2021 | The Indian Eye 34

neWsMaKers of THe WeeK

PraJaKTa KoLi sTeven oLiKara

YouTube sensation wins emmy Wisconsin native to explore us

nomination senate run for 2022

teven Olikara, the son of Indian immigrants living in Wiscon-
sin, has just announced his US Senate Exploratory Commit-
Stee for 2022 Wisconsin Senate election.
he 27-year-old YouTube sensation, Prajakta Koli’s 2020 If he gets elected, Olikara, a Brookfield, Wisconsin native, en-
documentary, ‘Creators For Change’ focusing on former trepreneur and nonprofit leader, will be the only person of Indian
Tfirst lady Michelle Obama has just won a nomination for origin in the US Senate.
the upcoming Daytime Emmy Awards. Popularly known for her “While the politicians have the food fight at the top, the people
YouTube channel, Mostly Sane, Koli’s YouTube original docu- at the bottom are stuck,” Olikara said in a press release. “That’s why
mentary also features Indian American actor and You Tuber I’m calling on all Wisconsinites to join us in a movement to elevate a
Liza Koshy and South African YouTuber Thembe Mahlaba, more inclusive, compassionate and honest form of politics.”
The documentary has been nominated under the catego- Olikara is traveling across Wisconsin for a “Dignity Tour” that
ry of Outstanding Daytime Non-Fiction Special for the 48th convenes Wisconsinites from all walks of life: groups of farmers,
annual Daytime Emmy Awards to be aired on streaming ser- small business owners, factory workers, veterans, Indigenous com-
vices Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) and Paramount+ munities, and people with disabilities.
on June 25. The tour will guide an agenda for a more inclusive and compas-
The nominated series tracked the experiences of adolescent sionate form of politics that rejects the current system that pits peo-
girls in Vietnam, India, and Namibia overcoming adversity to ple against each other, the release said. “Olikara has devoted his life
pursue their education. and career to bringing together people from opposite sides of the
Prior to her rendezvous with Michelle Obama, Prajakta had political divide,” it said.
travelled to Lucknow and interacted with the students of Prerna A graduate of Brookfield East High School and the University of
Foundation to get a better perspective on the challenges of edu- Wisconsin-Madison, Olikara launched the Millennial Action Proj-
cation in smaller districts and towns of India. ect in 2013. The multi-million-dollar national nonprofit trains elect-
Excited at her big nomination, Koli said, “This news is unbe- ed officials to build coalitions that pass innovative laws to promote
lievable. The Emmys are such prestigious awards. Being nom- greater economic mobility, a cleaner environment and a healthier
inated for a project this special is a win in itself. Big hugs to democracy. For two years, Olikara hosted “Red & Blue Dialogues”
YouTube and Michelle Obama for giving me the opportunity of across Wisconsin with political leaders and constituents from across
being a part of something so amazing.” the ideological spectrum, conversations that focused on issues in-
Popular among youngsters as her YouTube alter ego, Mostly cluding the future of work, higher education, and the environment.
Sane, Koli has been narrating relatable comic skits that have a The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel named it one of “10 big ideas to
strong connect with viewers. She has been also an active cam- help fix Wisconsin’s problems.”
paigner for socially relevant youth centric issues. “We have to model the leadership we want to see,” Olikara said.
As a global ambassador for YouTube’s Creators For Change, “Our democracy needs us. If we have the courage to stand up, or-
she threw light on trolling, female subjugation and homopho- ganize and wake up from this dark moment in our politics, we will
bia through ‘No Offence’ which was showcased on International change the future of our state and our country.”
Tolerance Day at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Continued on next page... >>

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