About Us
Launching September 8st, 2026
Unmuted is a decentralized, youth-powered media network covering culture, current events, and modern life through the authentic lens of the next generation. Powered by a team of high school students in Santa Barbara, California, and founded in June 2026 by Ava Jane Damery and Zack Kass, Unmuted is rejuvenating local news through local youth.
We create real conversations, real reporting, and real perspectives from the ground level of community life. Our staff is made up of intelligent, curious, and emotionally honest young people who are committed to telling stories with authenticity and purpose. Untethered. Unfiltered. Unafraid. Unmuted.
If you subscribe today, you'll get full access to the website as well as email newsletters about new content when it's available. Your subscription makes this site possible, and allows Unmuted to continue to exist. Thank you!
Meet The Team
Ava Jane Damery: Co-Founder/CEO/Editor-in-Chief
Zack Kass: Co-Founder/Chair
Andrew Sheshunoff: Editor + Staff Writer
Ethan Maday: Editor + Staff Writer
Caroline Wang: Staff Writer
Hadleigh Bolton: Staff Writer
Sadie Bush: Staff Writer
Natalie MacFarlane: Staff Writer
Jordan Volz: Staff Writer
Tristan Gerdesic: Staff Writer
Iris Heckes: Staff Writer + Videographer
Alexander Damery: Photographer
Hector Mejía Cruz: Photographer











