We all know the Ukrainian and Russian war is terrible for many terrifying reasons, but there is one that we haven’t really been talking about. With these extreme heat waves blazing over Europe we need to talk about how this war is impacting our environment and further intensifying climate change.
Read MoreHave you heard about the Piping Plover? It is an adorable tiny shorebird that is seen to nest as well as feed along coastal sands and gravel beaches throughout North America. These sweet and loveable birds NEED our help! Between environmental, human, and predator impact there are only around 6,000-8,000 of them left in the world. Luckily, we have the New York City Plover Project, which has been working towards bringing awareness to the Piping Plovers and striving to help them to their fullest abilities to repopulate and stay safe. Please read further about how you can help protect the Piping Plovers, especially on your trips to the beach this summer, with the founder of NYC Plover Project, Chris Allieri.
Read MoreThe war in Ukraine is far from over. We spoke with advocate for Ukraine, UK Based music artist, Belle Scar about her recent single “Kyiv in my heart”. This song and music video not only features Ukrainian Artists, but also depicts the horror and destruction the ongoing war in Ukraine causes. We highly suggest you stream “Kyiv in my heart” to gain insight into the importance of advocacy and staying connected with Ukrainians, even if they are an ocean away. The 16 Ukrainian artists featured in “Kyiv in my heart” tells a story, and each creation is compelling as the next. If that isn’t enough, Belle Scar’s vocals mixed with the work of a choir are sure to leave you with chills. Please continue reading below for more information about Belle Scar and her new single!
Read MoreSay hello to Harry and The Chicks! This UK-based music group is dropping music with a moving and all too familiar message behind it. Harry and The Chicks’s new single “Snakes in The Streets” depicts their experiences with street harassment from stalkers and cat-callers alike. Her outspoken and informative tone when addressing these topics is refreshing and reminds women everywhere that they are not alone in their experiences. But most importantly, that men should do better and steer clear of predatory behavior. You will love Harry and The Chicks just as much as we do! If you are interested in their newest single, “Snakes in The Streets,” their work with SafeUp, an app that keeps women safe, or their upcoming projects — “Miss Oblivious”, please continue reading the interview below!
Read MoreOn this Juneteenth long weekend we celebrate, Haqikah and Naima Abdullah — trendsetters, sisters, and entrepreneurs. These sisters are paving the way for reinvention. HAQ-NI, based in New York City, is transforming the traditional and simpler options for hijabs into something luxurious, high-quality, and fashionable. These hijabs are reimagining traditional scarves and empowering Muslim women by providing them with unique and stylish hijabs that allows them to feel both beautiful and confident. Their impact does not end there, as sustainability is an important aspect of their business, and making long-lasting scarves is a top priority. They are changing the game in fashion, and we can't wait to see what they do next. Please read our exclusive interview below with co-founders Haqikah and Naima Abdullah to learn more about HAQ-NI.
Read MoreHaley Kalil is having a Smart Girl Summer, and we should all join her! As a New York City-based model and scientist, Haley Kalil is breaking barriers and building new standards that empower women in STEM. Haley does not shy away from having it all and does not let society limit her abilities. Currently, she is the CEO of The Nerd Herd, which is a brand at the intersection of beauty and science. Haley acknowledges the double standard between women and men in the STEM field. It is normalized and widely accepted for a man to flaunt their body on the internet without their work being discredited, but we can not say the same for women. However, The Nerd Herd’s mission is to create that safe space for women, educate them on STEM, and make women feel sexy in the process. This is 2022, and women no longer have to choose between being conservative and not being taken seriously in their careers, and Haley is at the forefront of that movement. If you love Haley as much as we do, and want to hear about her advocacy with Black Girls Code, and her journey from STEM to Modeling, please continue reading below!
Read MoreAmsterdam-based American cartoonist Jessica Stahl, vanillacooldance, is empowering women to to live a shame-free, unapologetic, and confident life, embrace your vanillacooldance! In a world where dating is hard and women are underappreciated vanillacooldance has our backs with humor and truth. Stahl is helping to change the way women see themselves in relationships, breaking taboos about sexuality, body appearance, romantic and even awkward situations on dates, and much more. When Stahl isn’t giving women a voice through vanillacooldance, she is the Creative Director at Dopper and is responsible for making ocean-saving campaigns. Keep reading to learn more about this incredible artist!
Read MoreMeet the Future Perfect Project (FPP)! This New York-based Organization promotes LGBTQ+ Youth expression and their music! Founded by Celeste Lecesne and Ryan Amador, the Future Perfect Project amplifies the queer youth narrative through workshops and social media. If you wish to see their work in action, the Future Perfect Project is hosting a free immersive event at Lincoln Center's Hearst Plaza on June 4th at 12 pm EST, kicking off Pride Month nicely! Nine artists from all around the country will perform their collaborative album “Not What You Pictured” at the event. All performances are of course LIVE! Jejune is ecstatic to get to know this small collective of artists through their music, and can wait for the show! If you are interested in the Future Perfect Project’s story and want to support LGBTQ+ youth, please continue reading the interview below!
Read MoreTabay Atkins, California’s very own Yoga, and Reiki prodigy is on a mission! Tabay wishes to share the significance of a healthy and positivity-filled lifestyle. Yoga has changed his life in more ways than one, and those around him prove as a success story of his fundamental values. This amazing young adult has instructed Yoga to countless individuals and has accumulated almost 1000 hours of teacher training experience. Tabay serves as a role model and mentor to adults and children alike, and Jejune is here for it! If you are interested in Tabay’s humanitarian work, his journey to becoming a NIKE athlete, or his tips for healthy living, please continue reading below!
Read MoreWildlife is precious! Based in Hong Kong, Animals Asia provides sanctuary for bears and protects those loving creatures from farming in Vietnam and China. The demand for bear bile as a medical substance has put the Moon Bear species significantly at risk. This organization is adamant about preservation of the Moon Bears, especially when there are herbal alternatives to bear bile. Many celebrities including the ones featured in this article have pledged to take a stand against Moon Bear extinction. You can follow in their footsteps with the details in this very article! For more information about Moon Bears, the demand for Bear Bile, and the amazing celebrities who advocate for the Animals Asia cause, please continue reading below.
Read MoreStar2 was born in a Thai refugee camp, Mae La, in Thailand. He lived there with his family until the age of six, then his grandmother and her four children migrated to San Diego, CA. Star2 and his family are Ka-ren, a persecuted indigenous tribe from Burma, now named Myanmar. He currently lives and works out of San Diego as a rapper with an affinity for conscious songwriting. His newest single, “Run Away” was recently released. The single is about the current state of the world, with references to the Black Lives Matter movement and current refugee crisis in Thailand, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. The music video for the single is just as powerful, with videos of current atrocities happening throughout the world on loop in the background. Star2’s hope is to raise awareness for these issues and give back to those helping out. He works with several nonprofits such as The Border Consortium, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Thailand, The International Rescue Committee, and Karen Outreach to support refugees in Thailand and Ukraine. Read on in our interview with Star2 to learn more about his music, upcoming EP, and how he is offering support to these organizations.
Read MoreTemple Lester is an Atlanta-based STEM prodigy. 14-year-old Temple is devoted to introducing those who lack representation to the STEM field. She was all too familiar with being one of the only minorities and women in STEM, now her mission is to change that. Not only did she create STEM Girl Swag and STEM Swag Box, both ways to get the youth engaged, but she has successfully exposed more than 100,000 youth through science workshops and social media. Temple takes action! Temple also interacts with seasoned masters of the STEM field such as Dr. Siam Proctor, the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft. She wishes to pass on that knowledge to the youth through fun and engaging activities curated by no other than Temple. The excellence does not stop there! Temple was nominated for the 2nd annual “Kid of The Year” Nickelodeon Awards. As an entrepreneur and leader Temple is sure to make a change! If you would like to know how, please continue reading this interview starring Temple Lester!
Read MoreMeg Donnelly was born to stand out. From the sweet Taylor Otto in “American Housewife” to the aspiring Addison in “ZOMBIES”, Meg will act and sing her way into your heart. This Disney star is just getting started! We are excited to see the third installment of “ZOMBIES” coming out this year and, for those who can’t get enough of her beautiful voice, she will be in the new Disney “High School Musical” show! Finally, clearly Meg has a soft spot for the celestial, because she is joining the “Supernatural” world in the new prequel “The Winchesters”. While she will still be hanging out with interesting creatures, this role will be a whole new side for her. When Meg isn’t off fighting vampires and whatnot, she is tackling a whole other demon in our society — mental health. She has been very open about her own struggles with anxiety and hopes to be a positive role model for all her young fans. To learn more about Meg, please read our exclusive cover interview below.
Read MoreThe Equal Means Equal campaign, founded by actress Kamala Lopez (‘Star Trek: Voyager’, ‘This Is Us’, ‘Mayans MC’), works to raise public awareness of the need for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The Equal Rights Amendment establishes equality under the law in the U.S. Constitution, regardless of sex. Surprisingly, women are currently not equal under federal law. To raise awareness for this disparity, Lopez directed the documentary ‘Equal Means Equal.’ The film utilizes historical precedents and contemporary case studies to show what women in the United States face today, and why it is important to complete the process of ratifying the ERA to give women and girls the legal foundation they need to live on an even playing field. In her interview with Jejune Magazine, Lopez goes over next steps for ratifying the amendment and what readers can do to support the cause. The Biden-Harris administration expressed their support for the cause on the campaign trail, but have since taken no steps in rescinding the memo issued under the previous administration or instructing the Archivist to publish the amendment. Time is of the essence. Read on to learn more.
Read MoreJulia Loggins is an author and certified colon hydro-therapist with a specialty in regenerative nutrition, and fertility health. Her newest book ‘Revolutionary Beauty’ recently came out and shares her story with debilitating health issues and her 7 step plan for healing from the inside out. Throughout the new book she collaborated closely with Patricia Bragg, founder of the first and largest natural foods products company in America. Through this book, the pair want women to know that they can reclaim energy, joy and optimism, and live a joyful, pain-free life. In her interview with Jejune, Julia breaks down their 7 step plan further and offers her expertise on a healthy and fulfilling diet. Additionally, she opens up about her support for KPFK Radio in LA and WBAI in NYC. She has donated hours of consulting and classes to promote gut health and wellness and has plans to do so in 2022! Read on in our interview with Julia Loggins to learn more.
Read MoreGG Townson is Los Angeles native best known for her role as “Salt” in the hit biopic Salt-N-Pepa. Granddaughter of Ron Townson, one of the lead singers of the iconic vocal group Fifth Dimension, GG is inspired by his life and career and plans to carry on the Townson legacy in the entertainment industry. She currently stars in BET+’s Sacrifice, which follows a high-powered entertainment attorney, Daniella Hernandez (Paula Patton), as she navigates the complicated lives of her clients. One of those clients is GG’s character Jameson, which she describes as both a loose cannon and the ultimate boss bae. When GG isn’t being a power woman on the screen, she is fighting for women through her support and work with the non-profit Breaking the Chains, an organization that works with artists and creators to bring awareness to eating disorders. Read on in our interview with GG to learn more about her career and activism!
Read MoreNo-Face’s feast from Spirited Away, the grey stuff from Beauty and the Beast, and an instant Mcdonald’s microwave from Spy Kids are all things we dreamed about at some point of our childhood. Movie after movie, we saw characters stuff their faces with feasts we could only pester our mom for on our weekly grocery shop. Whilst seemingly harmless, the effects of such representations can have a bigger impact on the well-being of the next generation than we would expect.
Read MoreOn February 24th, Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces to invade the neighboring country of Ukraine. Since then, the whole world has been keeping a close eye on the war evolving in the Eastern European country. According to a New York Times article, the number of refugees that have fled the country has surpassed half a million. Mr. Putin seems intent on capturing the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, which would dismantle the country’s democratically elected government and capture Ukraine under Russian rule.
Read MoreSmall black-owned businesses rarely get the limelight that they deserve. Therefore, Jejune has compiled a list of environmentally and socially responsible black-owned businesses to celebrate this month and every month thereon. According to Black Owned Now, an online advertising and marketing platform featured within this article, due to national microaggressions and systemic racism, black-owned businesses are inhibited from reaching great amounts of success. Supporting these businesses has a direct correlation to the welfare of the economy and job market, as black purchasing power amounts to $1.4 trillion as of 2021. This list covers a variety of industries, such as: fashion, beauty, advertising, and accessories. Enrich your wardrobe or daily routine by supporting the businesses below!
Read MoreGet a double dose of dopeness with Aint Afraid! Detroit-based Twin sisters Sakinah (Straingth) & Zakiyyah (Wizdumb) Rahman make their presence known through positive and honest messages from their music. Singing since the age of two, both sisters collaborate to share their gift with the world while also showing off some much-needed melanated Muslim representation. Influenced by the likes of Beyoncé and Lauren Hill, you can, without a doubt, admire the R&B and grace in their music and demeanor alike. Although they pull music influences, their fashion is 100% Aint Afraid; Sakinah and Zakiyyah pride themselves on their brilliant and authentic fashion taste, proven by Aint Afraid's sewing skills, one of their many talents picked up during lockdown.
In their latest album, which happens to be their debut, they provide 11 impressive tracks, some titled "Smile Today," "Somebody Loves You," and "Grow,"; All songs showcase their ability to spread harmony with a soulful and fun twist. All music from the album is streamable on Spotify, so Jejune urges you to check it out!
You think Aint Afraid can't get any cooler? Think Again! Sakinah and Zakiyyah are heavy advocates for education in the Gambia and even helped raise funds to build an all-girls school for students. Ain't Afraid uplifts the audience through their music and in their community alike. This is why Jejune is so excited for the sisters to be this month's cover! If you wish to learn more about Aint Afraid's music, their unique stage names, and all the fantastic humanitarian work they have done so far, please continue reading below.
