Pop, R&B, Soul, however you choose to define it, this Toronto based artist and his youthful renditions of classic pop melodies and transient synths are a subtle demarcation of shift in R&B.

After a brief hiatus following the release of his two previous EP’s, “Die For You” and “Remember When,” musician, creator, Tafari Anthony unveiled his new single “Centerfold.” “Centerfold” is a cathartic release that easily channels post break-up emotions. It's a poetic detailing of the frustrations that comes with unfulfilling relationships.

Tafari’s music has been nominated for a Toronto Independent Music Award, with one of his singles being named one of CBC's Most Influential Songs of 2016.

He’s also been hard at work for a charity called Autism Canada. In addition, Tafari helps perform for events supporting music and songwriting education for children. He recently performed for a nonprofit called Rainbow Railroad which supports getting refugee status for LGBTQI people in places where being LGBTQI is still harmful. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Tafari Anthony.

zIssue 20, SWAC: InfluencerJejune ContributorApril 3, 2020musician, music, #singer, singer, singer song writer, LGBTQ+, lgbtq, LGBTQ, lgbt, LGBTQ rights, children, youth, romance, #love, loveComment

Kate Drummond Challenges the Status Quo

Kate Drummond refuses to be cast or defined by any mold. A former elementary school teacher turned actress, writer, and producer conveys reinventing one's self is always an option.

Kate is currently starring in the new Hulu original series Utopia Falls, a coming of age story following a group of teens in the distant future colony of New Babyl as they uncover an ancient forbidden archive of historical, cultural and musical relics.

Kate’s other passion lies in her philanthropy work where she supports causes close to her heart, including The Snoopi Project, Playa Animal Rescue, DIBS (Dogs in Better Spots), Canadian Horse Defense Coalition (CHDC), KidSport Ontario and Bytowne Association for Rescued Kanines (BARK). Recently, Kate teamed up with The Children’s Miracle Network and SickKids Foundation, raising over $10,000 in just over a week, through her social media platforms. Please read on for our exclusive interview with Kate to learn more about her work.

Zahra Bentham Envisions a Colorful Future

Actress, singer, Zahra Bentham continues to convey her fervor for equality off-screen. She supports causes close to her heart which include “Black Women Film! Canada”, a leadership program and new collective dedicated to forwarding the careers, networks and skills of filmmakers and media artists who are Black female identified of the Canadian African diaspora. Zahra also teamed up with Karena Evans (award-winning director and actor) to use her voice as a platform for awareness and change amidst fears welling during the 2016 burgeoning stages of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Zahra and her works.

Chen Tang Learns From His Childhood

Actor, Chen Tang was born in Kobe, Japan and is of Chinese ancestry. As Chinese citizen and US Permanent Resident, and fluent in both Mandarin and English - he is a picturesque embodiment of homogeny and uniqueness. As far as acting goes, Chen is set to start in Walt Disney Studios' highly anticipated film “Mulan.” It is a live action version of the 1998 classic Disney animated film with the 2020 version drawing a lot more inspiration from the original Chinese fable "The Ballad of Mulan.” Chen will also appear in Bruce Lee Entertainment and Cinemax series "Warrior” later this year.

In addition, he is dedicated to giving back to his community and environmental preservation. He has partnered with the Cambodian Children’s Fund and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn about Chen Tang and his work.

Praneet Akilla Stands For Equality

Praneet Akilla, known for his work on Netflix original series October Faction has had a steady ascension into the spotlight. Born in Mumbai, India and raised in Calgary, Alberta Canada, Praneet developed his taste for performance art and storytelling. His acting specialization originated in the theatre with his earliest role as Aladdin in his middle school play. During his college years, Praneet participated in community theatre productions including Iceland (Theatre Calgary), Coriolanus (Bard on The Beach), The Orchard (Arts Club), and many more.

Praneet’s ambitions extend to local and international scale social issues. Praneet is an avid supporter of his local food banks and Plan International’s Because I am a Girl program, a campaign designed to remedy the issue of gender discrimination around the world and bring them out of poverty. Please read more to learn about Praneet and his work.

Sophia Strauss Champions Animal Rescue

Sophia Strauss can be considered a seasoned actress while still in her teens. She appeared in Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Sound of Music, Annie and Beauty and the Beast, to name a few. Sophia will be appearing in the upcoming series, yA, which is a spinoff of the popular Amazon series, The Bay. Not only confined to acting, she's walked LA Fashion Week and the Cannes Fashion Festival.

In addition to Sophia being a cherished voice onscreen, she is a huge animal lover and has hosted several fundraiser events to raise money for the ASPCA. She also was one of the youngest runners in the ASPCA Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon. Sophie fosters cats and kittens for a local rescue called Zazzy Cat Kitty Rescue and has attended their adoption events at local pet stores and also at Disney studios.

Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Madison Margot and her work.

Paxton Booth Is Seriously Woke

Nine year old Paxton Booth can teach everyone of us a little bit about how to be a better and more woke person. Actor, activist, fashionista, and stuntman, Paxton will having you smiling ear to ear as you watch him being rad on his BMX bike, doing stunts on his show Coop & Cami, and being more stylish than most New Yorkers I know. Paxton is an active animal rights advocate and is looking to start his own fashion line for kids, which will help fight bullying and give other youngsters a chance to fully embrace who they are. To learn more about Paxton, who I hope to be as cool as when I grow up, please read our exclusive interview here.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 20, Editor's PickKira BuccaFebruary 21, 2020kids, youth, animal rights, animals, fashion, actor, fitness, athlete, FashionComment

Madison Margot Is A Lover

The singer, songwriter, and actress Madison Margot has been creating music for a good majority of her life. Her now pop hits frequent themes of ardent romance and trust, which is no exception with her latest album, The Chronicles of Lovers, which was appropriately released today (Happy Valentines Day, everyone!). Starting at age 11, she began writing songs and playing instruments, proudly showcasing her early musical talents.

Madison's passion goes further beyond music. She believes in the importance of giving back. Madison is involved with the non-profit Aid For Africa, an alliance of U.S.-based nonprofits and their African partners that empowers children, families, and communities throughout Sub Saharan Africa.

Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Madison Margot and her work.

Bree Taylor's Journey With Mental Health

As a musician, song composition often, or ideally, delineates the boundaries of creative expression through euphonic melodies, captivating lyrics, and innovation. Musician Bree Taylor directly subverts contemporary tropes within modern country music. Blending pop and country, Bree elevates and explores elements, both uncommon and familiar with her own unique flair. Recently nominated for Best New Artist by the Mississauga Music Awards, Bree Taylor is definitely a star on the rise

Beyond music, Bree is a strong advocate for mental health awareness. Her own struggles with depression influenced her philanthropic endeavors. Bree values, and is active within, charitable organizations including the Oakville, Milton and Toronto Humane Society, To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA), and the Canadian Mental Health Association. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn about Bree and her works.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 19Jejune ContributorFebruary 10, 2020musician, music, #singer, singer song writer, mental health, health, #health, country, depressionComment

Filmmaker Meredith Grace Dabney Casts A Spotlight On Depression

Meredith Dabney, actress, activist, filmaker, and writer is set to release her first breakthrough short film titled HERE TODAY, which is currently doing its festival run and its wide release early this year. Meredith uses her platform to raise awareness for those individuals struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide; partnering with the non-profit To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA). Please click here to learn more about Meredith and her works.

Sarayu Blue Is Raising Awareness for Multiple Myeloma

Sarayu Blue has played many roles on the screen, but in real life she is health conscious, fit, and has a heart of gold as she helps to raise awareness for Multiple Myeloma. Click here to learn more.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 19Jejune ContributorJanuary 22, 2020music, female power, Dance, fitness, #healh, self care, health care, #fitness, #fit, actress, #holistichealth, cancerComment

SONIA On Romance, Reflection, And The Refugee Crisis

On “I Don’t Know,” a single off her eponymous debut EP, we bear witness to SONIA’s display of raw unperturbed emotion. The setting: a room inside a large daunting medieval European style castle in Belgium. SONIA destroys her room and its furnishings, smashing plates and glass, presumably in anguish from the aftermath of heartache.

The theme of romance, relationships, and the emotions associated with love are a constant in SONIA’s music. She divulges her personal journey towards maturity and adult love. SONIA also lends her voice for refugees displaced by war and poverty via Everyday Refugees Foundation. To learn more about SONIA and her work, please read our exclusive interview here.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 18, Most PopularJejune ContributorDecember 30, 2019refugee, music, musician, singer, #singer, #song, singer song writerComment

Kimberly-Sue Murray Is An Unapologetic Environmentalist

On Netflix’s V-WARS, Kimberly-Sue Murray plays an aggressive Vampire with chaotic origins. Her character, Danika Dubov exudes power and feminine strength - especially when she gives into her vampiric instincts. Comparatively so, Murray displays her strength and passion through her advocacy and works in support of environmentalism.

V-WARS overarching plot tackles heavy real world issues, metaphorically, such as climate change in the form of a vampire apocalypse. Coincidentally, Murray is a huge climate change and wild life preservation advocate. She works with organizations such as CN Tower Climb for Nature and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) every year.

Please click here to learn more about Kimberly-Sue Murray and her work.

Valery Ortiz: The Language And Heritage Of The Puerto Rican Experience

Fresh off the back of her new Disney Channel show, “Gabby Duran and the Unsittables”, Valery Ortiz released her new children’s book ‘COQUÍ’. COQUÍ explores and celebrates themes of diversity and inclusion; conflating concepts of her real life experiences personified.

With Valery’s Puerto Rican heritage at the forefront, she promotes the celebration of individualism and self love. Varley’s notable works don’t stop there. She is also active with the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital and Special Needs Network, Inc. for Autistic Kids. To learn more about Valery Ortiz and her work, please read our exclusive interview here.

Shame On You

If you don’t know about Jordan Power’s podcast, then Shame On You! Shame On You is a raw, honest, hilarious, and very gay, podcast that Jordan co-hosts with his best friend Brad Price. You can expect to hear about all the fun drama in their lives, don’t worry there is a plethora, but also feel empowered about embracing yourself as these two have learned to do. To learn more, please read our exclusive interview here.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 18Jejeune MagazineDecember 20, 2019podcast, radio, LGBTQ+, love is love, lgbtq, LGBTQ, LGBTQ rights, love yourself, #loveyourselfComment

Karen Strassman Is A Voice For The Homeless and Trafficked

Actress and voice actress, Karen Strassman, uses her voice for good and evil on the screen, but entirely for good offscreen, as she works with and advocates for homeless and human trafficked youth in Los Angeles. To learn more about this passionate woman and her powerful work, please read our exclusive interview here.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 17Jejune ContributorDecember 11, 2019actress, #actress, homeless, activist, activism, Actor, human rights, socially aware, Art, art, artist, #artistComment

Haven Is Healing Through Music

Pop artist Haven defies the constraints of her struggle with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), as she creates music embracing those moments of weakness, strength, and the often times chaotic emotions associated with love and heartbreak. In addition to Haven being a potent singer, she is heavily involved organizations making strides in childhood cancer research. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn about Haven’s music journey and upcoming projects.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 17Jejune ContributorDecember 9, 2019music, musician, cancer, cancer survivor, #cancer, singer, singer song writer, #singerComment

PI3RCE Is More Than Just About Pink

Meet PI3RCE: artist, fashion blogger AND charity donor to patients suffering brain cancer. When I first came across PI3RCE, I was initially surprised by her cheery obsessions with pink and kawaii-inspired styles. But her inspirations and creativity penetrate deeper. As a survivor of brain injury herself, Pi3rce opens up about her personal experiences, style inspirations as well as her perspective on the influence of social media today. To learn more, please read our exclusive interview here!

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 17, Most PopularJejune ContributorNovember 25, 2019music, singer song writer, Give back, pink, trauma, fashion, vintageComment

Jenny JAM Transforms Negativity into Positivity

Tough times are always difficult to get through, but that does not stop singer-songwriter Jenny JAM from focusing on the positives. Whether dealing with personal struggles or helping to tackle third-world problems of health and poverty internationally and domestically, Jenny is motivated to overcome obstacles and take on the challenges at the heart. Rejecting negativity and adversity, she looks to empower the community and make positive changes across the globe through both her music and volunteer work. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more!

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 16, zIssue16Jejune ContributorNovember 20, 2019musician, music, activist, homeless, Humanitarian, Give back, Africa, singer, singer song writer, overcomingComment

Brooke Lewis Is The Scream Queen And So Much More!

It is rare when you meet someone who does all the things and with so much passion. Brooke Lewis is one of these people. Not only is she an amazing actress, put together her own show, was a dating coach, wrote a book, but she is very active in a ton of different humanitarian causes! Please click here to learn about this incredible woman!