The Advocates Team

VP of Women’s Programming, Host, The Advocates with Sonia Baghdady

Sonia Baghdady is an Emmy, Associated Press, and Telly Award-winning host and producer. Before hosting The Advocates, Sonia co-anchored the nationally syndicated entertainment show Celebrity Page, giving viewers inside access to red carpets, celebrities, and pop culture. Sonia also hosted the daytime talk show The Juice on the national health and wellness network Z Living. The Juice was a live lifestyle audience talk show, with a fast-paced mix of celebrity guests, pop culture headlines, food, fitness, fashion, beauty, and wellness.

Sonia began her career as a television news anchor and reporter, working for local affiliates including ABC, NBC, and Cablevision. As a TV news anchor, Sonia won an Emmy Award for a consumer series she produced and hosted.

Chief Executive Officer

Mark is CEO of equalpride, which produces The Advocates. He leads the team to new goals and ventures with his strong background in journalism, video, marketing, and branded content. His career has taken him from reporting to running some of the most award-winning television newsrooms in Boston, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh. He has served as Vice President of News and Marketing for the Meredith Broadcast group and then founded Meredith Video Solutions, which took major brands like Better Homes & Gardens, Shape, and other media brands to television, digital video, and branded content. Mark has served as a consultant for digital expansion to major publishers and broadcast groups and served as President and Chief Content Officer for his company, Equal Entertainment. Mark is active in the queer and equality communities when it comes to charity work, mentoring, and speaking engagements.

He also serves on the Easterseals National Board of Directors. Mark and his husband, Daryl, have five wonderful grown children who keep them busy and active.

Senior Executive Producer of Programming

Mary Schwager is proud to lead The Advocates team, which just won a Telly Award.

Her award-winning, mission-driven reporting has helped people fight city hall, get their money back, reform animal shelters, change laws, and save lives.

She is a digital, print, and television journalist who has won 17 Emmy Awards, eight Edward R. Murrow Awards, and numerous other honors. She's worked as an investigative and consumer reporter and producer at television stations nationwide. She's also known as "Watchdog Mary" and built an award-winning brand advocating for animals, the environment, and consumers.

Mary graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. While she was in Wisconsin, she also worked as a state-licensed detective performing insurance fraud and criminal investigations.

Correspondent

Lamont Baldwin is a correspondent for The Advocates. He is a proud graduate of Brooklyn College and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Television Production, complementing his Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Norfolk State University.

Beyond the screen, Lamont is a dynamic web personality and the host of Hella Single, Out Magazine’s popular podcast exploring dating and relationships through an queer lens. His broadcasting journey began in 2007 as a segment host for WGNT’s Teen News Now, laying the foundation for a vibrant career in media and storytelling. Lamont enjoys discovering new podcasts, experimenting in the kitchen, and spending quality time with his friends and family when he's not reporting or podcasting.

Correspondent, Host, and Executive Producer Out Now

Stephen Walker is a distinguished journalist and on-air correspondent, captivating audiences worldwide from his bases in New York, London, and Los Angeles. He trained at the world-famous Urdang Academy in Covent Garden, where he began his journey in the entertainment industry, working across stage, screen, and television. Deeply committed to philanthropy, Stephen dedicates much of his time to bringing the arts to underprivileged children, teaching and inspiring the next generation of talent.

Known for his engaging and insightful reporting, Stephen brings a global perspective to every story. Before joining Advocates Originals, he honed his expertise at BBC Worldwide, where he worked on the acclaimed show Word on the Street. He now hosts multiple programs, including Out Now, where he dives into the rich history of Out and The Advocate magazines, exploring their most iconic covers and uncovering the cultural and political significance behind the images through compelling interviews and storytelling.

Deeply passionate about amplifying queer voices, Stephen is celebrated for his commitment to impactful journalism. His work has earned industry recognition, and he remains dedicated to inspiring aspiring journalists. With exciting projects on the horizon, Stephen continues to be a vital force in media, shedding light on the stories that shape our world.

Senior Producer

Brian Kelley is a video producer with seven years of experience in news and creating compelling content. A proud Florida State University alumnus, Brian is passionate about telling stories that spark curiosity, whether it's through the wonders of science and nature or uplifting, heartwarming human and animal experiences. His work is driven by a love of storytelling that educates, inspires, and connects.

Post Production Editor/Producer

Stuart is an award-winning filmmaker from Mobile, AL currently based in New York City. His films have screened at major festivals like Frameline, New Orleans Film Festival, Brooklyn Film Festival, and have gone on to be acquired by major platforms like Peacock and STARZ. Stuart works full time as a videographer and editor for equalpride, where he continues to create work that champions equality and celebrates all of our beautiful expressions of identity.