Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Malachi Stewart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Malachi , appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is Positive Voices, a podcast I created after nearly a decade in public and community health. Diagnosed HIV positive in 2008, I know firsthand the isolation, stigma, and lack of resources that often come with living with a chronic illness—especially as someone from a marginalized and disenfranchised community. Positive Voices was born out of that experience, serving as a platform to uplift, educate, and empower people living with HIV. The podcast ran for two seasons, was funded by three health departments across the DMV, and reached over 20 million people. Our guests ranged from White House representatives to celebrity actors to everyday community members with powerful stories. It was meaningful to me because it allowed me to create the kind of resource I desperately needed at the time of my diagnosis—something that affirmed my worth, countered stigma, and delivered real tools for living well.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who may not know me yet, my name is Malachi J. Stewart, and my work lives at the intersection of public health, media, and advocacy. My journey began after I was diagnosed HIV positive in 2008. That moment—and the years that followed—shaped my understanding of what it means to live with a chronic illness while being part of a marginalized and often overlooked community. I faced stigma, a lack of access, and an even deeper lack of representation. Years later, I used that experience to launch my first creative project: a podcast called Positive Voices, which provided education, resources, and real stories for people living with HIV. That podcast—funded by three health departments and reaching over 20 million people—was the catalyst for everything that came after.

It opened the door for me to become a radio personality, and I went on to co-create and host UnPacking, a groundbreaking show on Philadelphia’s WURD Radio. As one of the very few Blaqueer voices on mainstream radio, my presence represented more than a platform—it represented progress. UnPacking became the station’s official wellness show, tackling stories and issues that often go ignored. From mental health and self-care to LGBTQ+ visibility, domestic violence, parenthood, and politics, we created space for real conversations and real people. Our guest list has included everyone from Angelica Ross and Al Reynolds to local community leaders whose work is equally powerful but often under-amplified.

From there, I launched my latest creative endeavor: S.A.F.E. Philly, a city-wide sexual health campaign rooted in harm reduction, consent, and self-defined safety. The campaign—short for Staying Aware, Fearless, and Empowered—featured commercials and visual ads placed throughout Philadelphia’s metro system. What made it different was its unapologetically sex-positive, people-centered approach. It wasn’t about fear or shame. It was about meeting people where they are—with honesty, creativity, and compassion.

What sets me apart as a content creator and brand strategist is that I don’t simply follow trends—I respond to human needs. I create projects that counter culture when necessary and reimagine how we deliver care, affirmation, and knowledge to those who need it most. I’m most proud of the platforms I’ve built that give voice to the unheard and visibility to the unseen. If there’s one thing I want potential clients, followers, and future collaborators to know, it’s this: I create with purpose, and every project I touch is rooted in the belief that creativity can be a conduit for healing, justice, and joy.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One story that illustrates my resilience comes from my early days in radio. When I first entered the industry as a Blaqueer radio personality on one of fewer than five Black-owned radio stations in the nation, I was met with resistance. Some of our more conservative Black audience members felt that my presence represented a push of the LGBTQ+ agenda and called on station leadership to reconsider my positioning. As a result, my show was moved to a late-night weekend slot—a compromise meant to preserve space for progressive voices without alienating the core audience that financially supported the station.

Rather than let that setback define me, I pivoted. I reached out to community leaders, allies, and listeners to help promote the show and turned that late-night slot into one of the station’s most compelling programs. I focused on producing high-quality content that was insightful, relevant, and hard to ignore. Over time, many of the same listeners who had initially resisted my presence came back to management—this time to advocate for the show’s promotion. They admitted they had misjudged and now wanted a more prominent time slot so they could engage more consistently.

That experience taught me that resilience isn’t just about surviving adversity—it’s about growing through it. Sometimes discomfort and pushback are signs that you’re doing something that matters. If you stay committed to your purpose and create work that speaks for itself, minds can change. We are made stronger by the adversity we face, and I’ve learned to always seek the lesson in the challenge and embrace the growth that comes from uncertainty.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

n my view, one of the greatest ways society can support artists and creatives is by amplifying their work through social media. No matter how big or small your platform is, social media remains one of the most powerful—and free—tools we have to show support. It costs nothing to like, share, comment, or post about a creative’s project, product, or platform. Every interaction helps boost visibility through the algorithm, signaling that this is content worth engaging with. That visibility can lead to opportunities, funding, and growth.

But support has to be intentional. Don’t just repost your favorite memes or viral videos—use your platform to uplift the work of creatives whose voices align with your values and convictions. For all I’ve accomplished in my career, I know I could have gone even further, even faster, if more people in my own community had consistently taken the time to invest in and share my work. Creative ecosystems thrive when we champion each other out loud. A simple share could be the spark that helps someone’s vision reach the world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: MalachiJStewart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malachi-stewart-3188a676?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app