Posts in SWAC: Influencer
Mastering Your Mindset with Charyn Harris

Charyn Harris is a woman who does it all! This Los Angeles-based author, educator, motivational speaker, musician, and music business professional began her career touring as a keyboardist for R&B legend Barry White. She graduated from Berklee College of Music and earned an MBA from The University of Phoenix. In 2004, Charyn founded Project MuszEd, a nonprofit agency providing arts education, performance, and programming. She is also, the host of her own podcast called Musicians Guide to Grit, empowering musicians and females worldwide through her knowledge and expertise as a woman and leader in the music business. She newly released her debut book The Art of War for Creatives, which addresses mastering your mindset and learning to create a foundation for yourself to have the life and career that you deserve. In 2020, Charyn co-founded My Good with Macy Gray, to support families who lost a loved one to police brutality. To learn more about Charyn Harris and the incredible initiatives she has created, continue reading below.

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Samora Smallwood: Standing Up for Representation and Equity

The multi-talented Samora Smallwood is a Toronto based actress. Samora has taken on various roles including the lead in Lifetime’s thriller “Death She Wrote”, Star Trek Discovery, and Good Witch. Currently, she is starring as Maddi Brewer in the new drama series The Kings of Napa, airing now on the OWN Network. Her dedication extends beyond her roles on screen. Addressing the importance of representation is no simple task, but that does not deter Samora from creating real systematic changes in the film and TV industry. As an advocate for actors and the importance of equity and inclusion, she has taken on the position of co-Chair of ACTRA's Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Elected Councilor for ACTRA Toronto. Continue reading below to learn more about Samora Smallwood and how she takes action to stand up for representation and equity.

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Temple Lester: The STEM Prodigy

Temple 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!

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One Year of Giving with Lucas Royalty

Lucas Royalty is an actor best known for his role as Gus in the award winning short film “Charming.” He is also an influencer who works to spread positivity and anti-bullying messages on his social media. In September 2021, Lucas started a 12 months of giving challenge where each month he picks a new charity to raise funds and awareness for. He is currently supporting his 8th organization right now by raising funds to support the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Overall, Lucas has raised $10,000 to help try to make the world a better place through social media. To donate, you can engage with Lucas on Instagram to learn more about his charity of the month. Read on in our interview with this ‘charming’ young man to learn more about his career and charity work!

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Kamala Lopez Sets Out to Ensure That Equal Truly Means Equal

The 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.

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Doing It All With Amanda Jaros

Los Angeles based actress and writer Amanda Jaros knows how to stay busy. Whether she’s showcasing her talents while starring in ABC’s “Women of the Movement '' or putting pen to paper and crafting screenplays, Amanda has much to offer to the entertainment industry. Amazingly, Amanda was introduced to acting and writing as a mere child, and proves to be a natural at honing in on her creativity. Currently, Amanda is developing three indie features written and starring herself! When not putting her all into the industry, she is nurturing another passion: humanitarian and advocacy work. Amanda serves as a team leader for “After Hours Ministry”, a non profit organization which supports outreach for sex trafficking and exploitation victims on the streets of L.A. If you are interested in Amanda’s story or future endearers, please continue reading below.

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Josh Gluck on Finding Home

Josh Gluck, a talented musician based in Miami, Florida, was a kid that seemed to be born and raised in the music scene. It is only fitting that his latest EP, ‘Welcome Home,’ encourages all of us to find a sense of home within ourselves and the ones we love. The EP includes four songs, including the single “To the Light.” The recent single was based on a meaningful conversation Josh had with his Uber driver who asked him if he believed love still exists within the world. Make sure to stream “To the Light” to hear his answer. Read on in our interview with Josh to learn more about this infamous Uber drive and why it is so important to him to give back through music.

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Anna Hindman on Playing The Anti-Hero and Giving Back

Anna Hindman is an actor, singer, songwriter based in Nashville, TN. She plays anti-hero Grace Baker in the recent film American Siege, opposite Bruce Willis, Rob Gough, and Timothy V. Murphy. Her character is on a mission to find out about the disappearance of her sister and won’t let anyone get in her way. Hindman describes playing the character as a freeing experience and the set as both a professional and relaxing environment. Despite her acting success, Hindman’s first love is music and recently released a single titled ‘Dislove.’ In the future, she plans to expand her discography with more songs that are representative of the LGBTQ+ community in country-leaning music. Hindman and her wife also love to give back and are proud supporters of the Street Envy Motorcycle Club, Columbia Chapter, and Adopt-A-Highway program. Read on in our interview with Anna Hindman to learn more about her current projects, giving back, and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

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Meet Zentap with Sormeh Attarzadeh

California-based entrepreneur Sormeh Attarzadeh has much to offer with her tech company Zentap. The amazing Sormeh created Zentap to be an all-in-one real estate marketing company. With Sormeh's initial interest in real estate and background in tech, Zentap is the embodiment of her passions as an entrepreneur. As Zentap continues to prove its efficiency, we have the pleasure to interview the founder and dig deep into Sormeh's fascinating digital life! Zentap achievements have reached the likes of Forbes and is recognized as a valuable tool to seasoned real estate professionals. But don't be fooled; Sormeh's accomplishments don't stop there! She volunteers at a children's shelter as a mentor and passes on her expertise to the next generation. If you would like to get acquainted with Zentap, hear Sormeh's first-hand experience as a woman in tech, or indulge in digital entrepreneurship, please continue reading below!

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Learning the Art of Sound Experimentation with The New Twentys

The New Twentys is an England based band made up of two brothers, Harry and Jimmy Morris, and friend Chris Bourne. Their rock’n sound is further accentuated in their recent single, ‘Heart’s In The Right Place.’ The band hopes that listeners of the song will take away a feeling of encouragement to pursue their own passions and interests. The New Twentys are a completely independent band — writing, recording, and producing everything themselves. In their interview with Jejune they said the best part about the production process is the experimentation. For instance, in their newest single ‘Rush’ which was just released on March 18th, you might be able to hear a mouth trumpet, an elephant blowing it’s trunk, or a screaming baby. Despite all the fun they have recording, the band also gives back through their work with The Amber Foundation, which is an independent charity that helps homeless and unemployed young people turn their lives around. Read on in our interview with The New Twentys to learn more about their newest single, upcoming tour, and charity work.

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How Songwriting Saves The World

Songwriting Saves the World is a podcast started by Sasha Bellentine and Annick Blaize in April of 2020. Their inspiration behind the podcast was to create a community of writers and musicians that was both largely female and queer. You can listen to Songwriting Saves the World on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud and more. They also promote a diverse range of artists on their podcast and social media accounts to support female and queer artists in the music industry. This past holiday season the podcast featured representatives from I Support the Girls and Affirmations. I Support the Girls is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and collecting resources for homeless and impoverished women. Affirmations is an LGBTQ nonprofit centered in Michigan that provides resources for the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan and beyond. With this collaboration, the co-hosts wished to show ways to help women and LGBTQ outside of the music industry as well. Read on to learn more about the co-hosts, their philanthropy, and how songwriting truly does save the world.

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Meet Lucas Barker - From Shakespeare To Tech!

Lucas Barker may be young, but his experience as an actor started even before he could read. He is currently on the screens as Fleance, the son of Banquo on the thriller film 'The Tragedy of Macbeth,' written and directed by Joel Coen and based on the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. However, behind the scenes, Barker is a reasonably typical teenager interested in Computer Science. He belongs to his high school's robotics club, provides IT support to his neighborhood, and volunteers at a local senior community. In addition to being the local IT guy at the senior centers, Barker has helped raise money for women's shelters and clean water programs in California, and he has actively supported Riverhouse Children's House Durango in Colorado. To learn more about this young, but promising talent, please, continue reading below.

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Tackling Space Travel and LGBTQ Support with Avery Cyrus

Avery Cyrus is a digital content creator based in Palm Beach, Florida. She is one of the top Hispanic LGBTQ creators on social media and known for showcasing her travels, adventures with her girlfriend, and DIY creations on TikTok and Instagram. Avery recently partnered with TikTok to donate $10,000 to the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people. One of their main features is the Trevor hotline, where you can reach out via call, text, or chat through their website to speak to a trained counselor. As a strong advocate for LGBTQ youth, Avery has promoted the Trevor Project on her platforms on several occasions. She has also recently teamed up with Space Hero to train like an astronaut and show that space can be accessible for all. Although space travel seems light years away, Avery is hopeful to one day find a safe way to space or even Mars! Read on in her interview with Jejune to hear more about Avery’s platform and future projects!

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Shooting for the Moon with Marcelle LeBlanc

Marcelle LeBlanc is a shining star you’ll want to learn more about! This Alabama based multitalented actress developed an interest in the arts at a young age, doing readings as Shirley Temple and playing Annie in “Annie”. Since we have had the pleasure to see her in “Stranger Things”, “Cobra Kai”, and her first voiceover role Hulu’s “PEN15”. Most recently, Marcelle stars as ‘Mary Ellen’ in the CW “The Waltons: The Homecoming”. Marcelle has so much to offer, and her dedication extends beyond her work as an actress. She is an advocate for arts education, and is passionate about finding a cure for Polycystic Kidney Disease, where she has helped to raise funds for the cause. At only 14 years old she founded nonprofit “S.T.A.R.S,”. “S.T.A.R.S” is a scholarship program that works directly with the Alabama Arts Alliance to create opportunities for kids from all backgrounds who want and need access to after school arts programs. Continue reading below to learn more about the multitalented Marcelle LeBlanc!

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The Brave, Honest, Beautiful Sydney Morgan

Sydney Morgan is a digital creator and make-up artist based in Los Angeles, California. In 2018, she was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, which is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. Sydney became home schooled and bedridden while battling this disease; so, she turned to makeup videos to distract herself. As makeup was something she could do from home, it became the creative outlet and therapy she needed. Sydney took her talent and wisdom to Instagram, and eventually TikTok and Youtube, which has now garnered a large following. Sydney takes advantage of this following by taking every opportunity she gets to bring awareness to Colitis and Crohn’s disease on her platforms. Sydney also is active in the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, where she has her own team, Sydney’s Superheroes, for the annual Take Steps event which benefits the foundation. Read on in our interview with Sydney to learn more about Colitis and Crohn’s disease and some future projects she has coming up!

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The Queen of Comedy - Jiaoying Summers

Jiaoying Summers is more than a pretty face! She is a comedian, producer, CEO, and Founder of Summers Media. She does philanthropic work uniting Asia and the USA and is also a spokesperson empowering women and providing a safe space for all black, all women, all Latino, LGBTQ, and Asian to be themselves on her two open mic clubs in LA and Pasadena. Summers became a sensation on TikTok during the pandemic and talked with Jejune about giving a voice to the minority and the misrepresentation of the Asian community, and much more. Keep reading to know more about the Queen of Comedy.

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Don’t Fit In With Fab The Duo

Talk about a power couple! Meet Fab The Duo! This interracial power couple based in LA serves Rock music with a side of Philanthropy. Their spunky yet glamorous aesthetic is worthy of admiration this Valentine’s Day! Both Greg Driscoll and Brendan Eprile are outspoken body positivity, LGBTQ+, and gender expression advocates, and they make that prominent in their musical abilities and fundraising work. Fab The Duo recently released a song called “Weird Year” with artist Lucy and La Mer, which accurately depicts the mood of 2021. “Weird Year” is a flawless send-off for 2021, and we are here for it! Jejune is delighted to share this interview! If you are interested in Fab the Duo’s music, their support for LGBTQ+ organizations, or just sheer curiosity about how they can be so amazing, please continue reading below!

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Audrey Hsieh is Keeping Hope Alive

Audrey Hsieh is a young actor based out of Los Angeles, CA. Her new film “Mixtape” recently premiered on Netflix where she plays the fun-loving, fashionable friend Ellen. You may also recognize her from the film “Here Today,” starring Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish. In her interview with Jejune, Audrey gushes about the wholesome and supportive work environment on both films, and what she is up to now! Audrey is currently in college studying psychology, with the hopes of becoming a therapist someday. At her high school she helped kickstart Hope Squad, a nationwide peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. Although long graduated, Audrey is hoping to continue this work in her future career choice. Read on in our interview with Audrey to learn more about her current projects and future aspirations!

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Working Through The Tough Times With Miranda Frigon

Many know Miranda Frigon from her fantastic portrayal of Paula Bowman on Syfy's Day Of the Dead, but incredible woman has more to offer. As a seasoned actress and dancer, she is a familiar face in Hollywood. Miranda currently provides insight into a recurring issue in women's reproductive health. After Miranda's encounter with failed IVF treatments, she stresses the need for patience and self-appreciation for one's body. Miranda's positivity is inspiring, and her eagerness to share her story only proves how amazing she is. Especially in times as problematic as today, Miranda reminds us that everything happens for a reason, and a strong mindset is an ultimate guide through hardships. Jejune is excited to talk to the force that is Miranda Frigon. Please continue reading below to learn more about Miranda, her experience with infertility, and her humanitarian work that is quite literally changing the world.

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Michael & Matthew: The International Power Couple

Meet Michael and Matthew! This Portland-based travel power couple has been taking the world by storm, literally. With their remarkable and insightful blog, not only are we obsessed with this incredible relationship, but also in awe of the travel destinations they visit. As a couple that met over the internet and shared their powerful LGBTQIA+ coming out experiences, they have found empowerment by traveling and documenting trips to Juneau, Alaska, Bermuda, and more! With 2020 putting a real damper on their endeavors, their abroad life came to a halt. However, now, they are back and better than ever, eager to hit the road again. Amazingly, Michael and Matthew are also advocates for LGBTQIA+ equity through their partnership with GLAAD, an organization that aims to open dialogue surrounding LGBTQIA+ issues. Jejune is excited to interview this couple! Whether you're sitting in a beach chair in the Bahamas or on the couch like the rest of us, you're not going to want to miss this insightful and positively proud interview with Matthew and Michael! Please continue reading below!

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