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.

The Highway Women Are Creating A Buzz

Comprised of band mates Drew Haley, Amanda Pruitt, Heather Harper, and Kristen Kae, The Highway Women are creating a buzz in the country music scene. The Highway Women are an all female music band bringing a feminist perspective to the modern country sound. In their new single God Made Me Right, themes of women’s empowerment are celebrated through self-love and confidence. God Made Me Right is an anthem embracing body positivity and the power of womanhood. Please read our exclusive interview to learn about The Highway Women and their work.

Traveling Vegan - Nicaragua

Nicaragua, a country of 19 active volcanos, is exotic, but not as dangerous as the US government may want you to believe. On top of that, it is lovely to travel, the locals are delightful, the volcanos are exciting, and vegan food is at your fingertips! Click here to learn more about traveling vegan in Nicaragua.

Annie Tisshaw Is A Firecracker

Are you a woman, or man, who goes to the Women’s Marches? Are you looking for the right music to pump you up for the ever increasing revolution of our time? Wonderful, you need to immediately download all of Annie Tisshaw’s music now. You are welcome! This no nonsense Brit will have you cheering with her tunes in no time. Annie’s feminist nature comes out in her music as she sings about men sexualizing her and her body. Please read here to learn more about this fierce woman, her bad ass music, and her experiences with sexual assault and helping others.

Eco Art of Natalia Kapchuk

Many people worry about ecological challenges we face nowadays such as global warming, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, glacier melting and many others. How does climate change reflect on contemporary art? Natalia Kapchuk is an artist, art ambassador for The Parliamentary Society of Arts, Fashion and Sports (UK), ambassador for Monaco Better World Forum (MBWF) and philanthropist, supports charity organizations dedicated to protecting the nature and oceans, and creates environmental-centric artworks about our world and ecological problems. To learn more about the eco art movement and Natalia’s art project ‘The Lost Planet’ read further in our interview here.

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.

El Pital Ometepe - The Chocolate Paradise

Nestled unassumingly between two volcanoes, Volcán Concepción and Volcán Maderas, on the infinity shaped inside of Ometepe, Nicaragua, El Pital Ometepe, aka The Chocolate Paradise, thrives, sprawling within the abundance of wildlife. Much like its name suggests, El Pital visually looks like a naturally occurring paradise, think The Promised Land or Garden of Eden except there's chocolate - a lot of chocolate.

El Pital is multipurpose, a getaway, hostel, vegan cafe/ cacao, raw chocolate factory, and cacao farm all in one. Workshops are offered daily, varying from yoga to meditations. Meals are all plant-based and vegan. In addition, tours are given around the farm. Visitors are taught about the history of the cacao plant medicine and learn the process of how chocolate is made. Please read our interview here with one of the partners of El Pital Ometepe - The Chocolate Paradise, Justin Waxman, to learn more.

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

Why Being Overly Clean is Toxic to Your Health (How to Swap Harsh Chemicals for Natural Alternatives) - By Dr. Marina Buksov

A lot of cleaning and personal care products on the market today contain harsh chemicals that are overtly toxic to us. Disinfectants like bleach, preservatives such as parabens, antibacterials such as triclosan, and synthetic fragrances and colorants, just to name a few - are ubiquitous. These ingredients can act as endocrine disruptors, inflammatory mediators, and even carcinogens. In addition, they are released into the environment and linger in the air, contributing to pollution and airborne inhalation by other people and living things. So, what should we use instead?

COVER - Garcelle Beauvais Fights For What She Loves

Haitian born beauty, Garcelle Beauvais, has been making waves in the industry all her life. After moving to the United States with her mother, she found her way to New York City to be a fashion model, working with some of the largest brands out there. Wanting to prove she is versatile, she went into acting and has been seen in a plethora of roles since. Her next big adventure is being the first African American cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! Kinda crazy to think it took this long! When Garcelle isn’t being so glamorous, she can be seen getting her hands dirty with organizations like Step Up Women’s Network and Angels for Humanity, which help support women and children in Haiti, respectively, two causes she feels strongly about fighting for. Children are particularly important to Garcelle, as family is very important to her, so much so, that she even wrote a Children's book series, ‘I AM’, which she wrote for her children. Please click here to learn more about this incredible and inspiring woman in Jejune’s exclusive interview here.

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.

Healthy Kitchen Gadgets, 3 Part Video Series- Marina Buksov and Nataliya Ostrovskaya - Part 3: Kitchen Gadgets (You Didn’t Know You Needed) For Healthy Cooking

Did you love our first two videos on having a healthy kitchen? Learn more here where we dive into some awesome gadgets you never knew you needed!

Wellness, zIssue 19Dr. Marina BuksovFebruary 12, 2020health, healthy, #healthylifestyle, food, #cooking, #healh, #healthy, eat healthy, health care, #health, kitchen, WellnessComment

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

ECOALF Is Making Clothes For The Future

There are very few fashion brands as dedicated to sustainability as ECOALF. In every step of the process, from production, manufacturing, fabrics, to packaging, ECOALF (and founder Javier Goyeneche) have carefully considered their impact on the environment. They even started a subsidiary non-profit organization called The Ecoalf Foundation. The Ecoalf Foundation’s main objective is to promote the recovery of waste in order to recycle it for their clothing and avoid its harmful impact on the environment. In layman’s terms, one of the things this incredible brand is doing is pulling plastic trash out of our oceans and turning it into beautiful fashion! They are doing this “Because there is no planet B”, which is also one of their collections. I’m totally obsessed with it. Please read more to learn about ECOALF, its founder, and their efforts towards sustainability.

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.

EDITORIAL - Desmond Richardson Inspires With Dance

Famed international dancer, and first African-American principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre, Desmond Richardson talks with Jejune about his career, thoughts towards dance, and upcoming projects. Please click here to learn more about Desmond and his art.

Editorials, zIssue 19Jejune ContributorFebruary 3, 2020dance, Dance, Film, films, African American, Inspiring, inspiration, Art, #artist, art, artist, African American rightsComment

Unocup Has A New Fold On Fighting The Plastic Crisis

Plastic can easily be seen as a strong contender for the most blatant and obnoxious source of waste and hazard to our environment and wildlife. Despite this, plastic is still a common mainstay in our society because of its multifaceted practicality. According to the UN, today we produce about 300 million metric tons of plastic waste every year. Researchers estimate that more than 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic have been produced since the early 1950s. About 60% of that plastic has ended up in either a landfill or the natural environment. Plastic lids produce an estimate of over 20,000 tons of waste each year.

Unocup is actively facing the battle against plastic in the form of a small foldable paper cup and does away with the lid. Unocups origami-like design enables the cup to serve dual functions as a cup and lid. In addition, the lifecycle of the Unocup from production to waste is fully sustainable. Please click here to learn about Unocup from our exclusive interview with its founders: Tom Chan and Kaanur Papo.

Why Yoga is My Church (But Not My Religion) - By Marina Buksov

In a world of faceless strangers, often appearing as empty shells, busily navigating their individual lives in an overcrowded, fast-paced metropolis like New York City, it’s quite a wonder to find small pockets of community; and moreover, communion with spirit. One such treasure exists for me in a small, dimly lit, superbly hot room of sweating, writhing bodies on a quest for physical and spiritual release. Ironically, this room, too, is crowded and full of strangers, but it doesn’t feel like it during the 1-2 hour sessions of hot vinyasa yoga…

Wellness, zIssue 19Dr. Marina BuksovJanuary 29, 2020fitness, #fit, #fitness, #healthylifestyle, #healthconscious, #holistichealth, #holistic, live healthy, yoga, religionComment

Sasha Anne is Beautiful

YouTuber, beauty-guru, entrepreneur, Sasha Anne has made a name for herself garnering internet attention through her makeup videos. Her most popular video, with over 60,000 views, is a makeup tutorial inspired by the Darren Aronofsky directed film, Black Swan.

Her love of make-up inspired her to create her own lip gloss beauty line, Teeny Wee Lip Gloss, which was developed and founded by Sasha when she was only 17. Equally as important as her love for makeup is her affinity with animals. Teeny Wee Lip Gloss was designed to be cruelty free as a compassion for all animals and a personal gesture of love for her dog Chloe.

Please click here to learn more about Sasha Anne and her work.

EDITORIAL - Nathan Kehn Is The Cat's Meow

Actor Nathan Kehn, aka Nathan The Cat Lady, is definitely not shy about his love for animals. Currently, he has amassed 214k followers on Instagram for comedic prowess and his four adorable cats who, more often than not, gracefully contend with him for the spotlight, which you see is consistent in our exclusive fashion editorial and interview below. Please click here to see our adorable exclusive editorial, that we are all obsessed with, and learn how this Cat Lady uses his powers for good to help multiple animal orientated charities.