It is true, we can officially say “you’re fired” to Donald Trump. Now that this historical election is over, what can we expect next? There’s a sense of hope for this country for the first time in four years. We can rest at ease knowing that our basic human rights are no longer under constant attack. And we can expect to see a solid plan of action to address the pandemic that is ravaging America and the economy which is currently collapsing.
Read MoreThe curly hair community is a billion-dollar industry. However, there is a lack of resources that provide insight to places or products that best serve them — specifically the Black hair community. With the lack of diversity and resources, Black Dollar Beauty provides a voice for the curly hair community. They are a professional quiz matched, hair product box curated just for you. As one of the only companies on the market that provide resources to the curly hair community, Black Dollar Beauty are trailblazers destined for success. Check out our interview with the founder, Alicia Burgess.
Read More“I didn’t realize there were female drivers. We just put a guy in a wig for a job.” This is the most common sentence that female stunt drivers hear when they are in the industry. Three accolade-studded female stunt drivers Olivia Summers, Dee Bryant, and Angela Meryl who have 60+ years of professional stunt driving experience in 500+ commercials and more than 300 films and TV shows launched the Association of Women Drivers (AWD) the first all-female driving team. They decided to challenge the male-dominated stunt industry and create their own platform.
Women are systematically excluded from the stunt industry and their skill sets are questioned by men. Thus, AWD speaks up against the unfair patriarchal structure of hiring practices and discriminations towards female drivers since male drivers constantly taking money out of a women’s pocket. They wanted to change the sexist and racist structure of the industry and encourage stunt driver casting that is more diverse. We talked with Olivia, Dee, and Angela about AWD, industry, wigging, and their experiences. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about AWD and the ladies behind it.
As a young actress, writer, and director, Natasha Behnam enjoys balancing human connection and empathy with a generous dose of awareness and fun in her creative pursuits. Natasha stars in Netflix’s new movie American Pie: Girls’ Rules, a gender-flipped new reimagining of the 1999 cult classic, American Pie. Playing the role of Michelle, an empowered young feminist, Natasha gives us all the details about this new woman-led sex comedy and her future within the genre. Alongside her Hollywood career, Natasha is passionate about supporting a variety of causes close to her heart, including body positivity, the Black Lives Matter movement, and immigrant and refugee rights, and frequently volunteers with South LA Cafe to help her local community. Please read our interview with Natasha to get a full slice of her thoughts on American Pie: Girls’ Rules and how she is spreading positivity on and off-screen.
Read MoreAt 23 years old, Karissa Birthwritght is the owner of SaintVegann. What was once a platform for bringing awareness to veganism and living a healthy lifestyle, has grown to also offer hand-bleached merchandise. SaintVegann’s ongoing collection, SV Ups (SaintVegann Upcycling) are 100% upcycled and 50% of the proceeds are donated to Black Vision Collective. Since starting her business, Karissa has done 4 collections, collaborated with local and national companies, donated over $3000, and sold over 500 pieces. At a time when sustainability issues and climate change is the biggest threat to our Earth, SaintVegann is taking steps to bring awareness to a sustainable lifestyle. Check out our interview with the owner of SaintVegann.
Read MoreThere have been a series of protests against “SARS” (Special Anti-robbery Squad) and the Nigerian Police Force. SARS was initially started as a targeted task force to prevent motor robbery, cattle rustling kidnapping, and firearm thief. However, SARS has abused their power by attacking, beating, murdering, torturing, and extorting citizens of Nigeria. These violent acts have triggered the #ENDSARS movement. This ongoing campaign wants to bring attention to the violation of human rights through demonstrations and protests. The Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari had disbanded SARS on October 11th, 2020. However, the fight remains because SARS has been “reformed” and re-badged various times over the years, specifically taking on a new name “SWAT” (Special Weapons and Tactics Unit) or “FSARS” (Federal Special Anti-Robbery Unit).
Read MoreDrexel Heard provides a unique voice as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and the youngest Black Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. Drexel formerly worked on President Obama’s Presidential campaign, and throughout the 2020 Presidential Election, he has been sharing commentary as a Political Analyst for NPR, BBC and BBC Radio. His knowledge of the government system, keen sense of domestic and international policy, and love of Washington News naturally created his strong political voice, which he happily utilizes through social media and many other outlets to lead the generation through any political climate. We spoke with Drexel about the current state of United States politics — from Black Lives Matter, to COVID-19, to the 2020 election. Please read our interview with Drexel Heard below. And then, if you haven’t already, please go vote!
Read MoreWhen Front Country said "What will the people do? When we have nothing to lose?" they really were talking about our moment where we have nothing to lose, and they wrote this as a hopeful question because this November might be one of the biggest elections of our lives.
Front Country is an American folk-pop and progressive bluegrass band founded in San Francisco. The band consists of lead vocalist and songwriter Melody Walker, mandolinist Adam Roszkiewicz, lead guitarist Jacob Groopman, violinist Leif Karlstrom and bassist Jeremy Darrow, and they believe in democracy! Their newest single, Amerikan Dream, is a powerful protest song through storytelling and twangy guitars. It highlights the insidiousness of dogma and familiar inequalities. This song not only stems from one man, but also from the atrocity and exploitation in the country. It has become the rebellion of Front Country. They believe that by demanding change, people can dismantle the dogma within ourselves and reckon with American hypocrisy. And Front Country doesn’t stop with their music, they also do voter registration pushes with HeadCount at their shows. Please read our exclusive interview with band member Melody Walker below to learn more about Front Country and how to be the change.
You may have come across a colorful and intricate collage picture while scrolling through Instagram. The subject of the image was encompassed by a circle of vividly colored flowers and a bright halo shined behind their head. These famed pieces are created by Ruby Marquez , who is better known by their artist name Broobs. Over the course of their career, Broobs has used art as a political statement. They designed political posters for Bernie Sanders in 2016 (don’t we wish that he was the Democratic candidate for the Presidential election right now) and during the Black Lives Matter movement of 2020 they created memorial pieces for victims whose lives were lost due to racial injustice and police brutality. Read our exclusive interview to learn more about Broobs.
Read MoreFace masks are an extremely important item to own today, but their sudden and wide-scale use is having a major impact on our environment. Fortunately, there is a (potentially) fashionable solution that limits the amount of waste generated by surgical masks. By simply switching to reusable masks, we can help stop much, if not all, of the ecological impact of masks. They are good for your wallet and will help keep our frontline workers safe!
Read More“Holy Shit Snacks!” is the catchphrase of Archer’s Pam Poovey, a blonde bisexual bombshell who is making waves in pop-culture. When we got the chance to sit down with Amber Nash, the voice-over artist responsible for bringing the beloved character to life, we couldn’t help but think “Holy Shit Snacks” ourselves. In our interview with Amber, she tells us about her experience playing Pam throughout Archer’s 11 seasons and her new venture of acting on screen. We also got to speak to her about her role as a board member with Project Chimps, an organization that gives retired lab chimps a forever home on a secluded sanctuary. Bringing her passion to her work and philanthropic efforts, Amber Nash is a voice of wit and passion. Read our exclusive interview with Amber below.
Read MoreGedina is making waves for MermaidPop, a genre that is the essence of bubbly, feel good music. As the CEO of 4th Door Records, Inc., Gedina has big dreams for creating new and transformational spaces in music, starting with MermaidPop, of course. In August, Gedina released her new single, “Messy,” which celebrates the beauty found in the no-make-up, messy-bun days that are all the more frequent during shelter in place. Alongside her love for music, she has a passion for surfing. She frequently volunteers with organizations like Best Day Foundation and Ride-A-Wave, which give children with special needs the opportunity to learn to surf. We spoke with Gedina about writing “Messy”, the connection between music and surfing, and the impactful memories of her volunteer work. Dive into our exclusive interview with Gedina below.
Read MoreJejune recently sat down with singer/songwriter Shannon K to talk about her latest single, “RUN,” which was released in September. The catchy song and beautiful music video epitomize her personality, passion, and raw talent. Shannon’s music is known throughout the world and she has an extremely loyal fan base. She has collaborated with numerous high-profile songwriters and producers such as Poo Bear (Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, etc.), and Infinity (Rita Ora, Mary J.Blige, Ludacris). What sets the singer apart is her versatility. She has strong musical and acting talents, well-educated and traveled, and has a unique style. When Shannon isn’t recording or performing, she spends her time working with charities such as Love is Louder (supporting mental health), Animal Equality (go vegan), and Boo To Bully (Anti-bullying). She hopes to use her music as a platform to express herself as well as support the causes she cares about most.
Read MoreImagine a fashion brand that produces soft, comfortable, and elegant pieces while producing responsibly. As consumers, we want to imagine this but we also must consider how our purchases will affect the environment and workers and this question: "Who makes the clothing we wear every day and in what conditions?”
INKAMODA answers this question with transparency and an empowering vision. The Peruvian brand offers ethical and sustainable pieces that are designed with ancient techniques, reflecting the soul of Inca culture. They use unique Alpaca fiber (which promotes sustainable agriculture in the Andes) for their soft, warm, and breathable pieces. In our interview with Vari Garcia, the brand’s founder and designer, we talk about INKAMODA’s current campaign for empowering Andean communities and women creators, as well as the challenges of sustainability in business. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about INKAMODA.
Living in the midst of COVID in the US, particularly in NYC, has us terrified and controlled, but there is life outside these walls. I recently traveled to a pole camp in Antalya, Turkey, and it opened my eyes. About two months ago, as I sat locked inside my Brooklyn home, I optimistically signed up for a pole dancing camp in Turkey. I kinda assumed that it wouldn’t happen, since most countries were refusing to let Americans in at the time. But in what I can only assume was an act of god, Turkey opened its doors to us with no quarantine! So off I went…
Read MoreJessy Schram lives a busy life. You may know her from her starring lead roles in Hallmark films such as A Royal New Year’s Eve, The Birthday Wish, Road to Christmas, and Harvest Moon; or perhaps you have seen her in Season Five of NBC’s Chicago Med, where Jessy plays a complex OB-GYN surgeon, Dr. Hannah Asher. The star has a passion for music that she was able to share with viewers in her most recent Hallmark Channel Movie, Country at Heart. Jessy loves entertaining and storytelling, and we were also able to discuss another thing that is close to her heart: helping those in need. Jessy has a demonstrated history of working with philanthropies like Corazon De Vida and Red Eye to help people of all ages secure basic human needs. Her work with the homeless population in L.A. with Dineoneonone is her most recent way of helping her community, as her team works together to distribute plant-based meals during COVID-19. How does one balance a career with philanthropic work, as well as stay positive during COVID-19? Read our interview below for Jessy’s insights.
Read MoreAt a time when many young people in the film industry don't want to be aware of what they are doing, it is refreshing to seeing some talented and conscious actresses. The 24-years old Netflix star Bianca Bosch, known for her role in The Kissing Booth Trilogy, isn’t just another OMG girl or teen movie star. When she isn't acting she can be found locally feeding the homeless in South Africa, starting her own lighting business, and learning Reiki. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Bianca.
Read MoreCOVID-19 has made us spend an unprecedented amount of time in our homes. As a result of having nowhere to go for the past six months, a lot of us have stopped using make-up on a day-to-day basis. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, many people’s eyes have been open to the importance of skincare and how it correlates to our overall health. Maintaining an effective skincare regimen can help prevent acne, treat wrinkles, and help your skin look its best. If you are looking to add to your core basic skincare essentials, make sure to have: a cleanser to gently wash your face, a toner to help smooth and calm skin while restoring nutrients, a moisturizer to use after every time you wash your face (even if you have oily skin), sunscreen for sun protection, and an exfoliator that should only be used once or twice a week. If you need inspiration, check out ethical skincare companies such as Alba Botanica, Acure, Derma E, Mukti, and Skyn Iceland. Continue reading to see a couple of best sellers from each brand’s collection.
Read MoreMeet Lance Alexander, a fourteen-year-old comedian who is living his dream by bringing smiles to others as an actor and volunteer. The rising star got his start in comedy when discovered at the age of 12. Moving from West Chester Ohio to Los Angeles as a young teen, Lance’s humorous personality and dedication to his craft helped in land roles on Raven’s Home and Teachers. Now, Lance plays Elvis Maybury, a lovable teen with a big heart on Netflix’s award-winning comedy, Family Reunion — his biggest role yet. When he isn’t preparing for behind-the-camera work, Lance spends time at Best Buddies, the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We speak to Lance about his role on Family Reunion, his work at Best Buddies, and comedy’s place in our current social reality. Read our interview with Lance to learn just how fluent in comedy this teen-wonder really is and where he’s going next.
Read MoreSave the Duck has a direct mission that you can probably guess from their company name. That’s right: save the duck. Their products are 100% animal free and cruelty free. Turning away from the typical down coat for winter wear, the Italian company provides sustainable and cozy alternatives to help you survive the winter. Their platform is devoted to not only keeping their customers safe from the cold, but to maintaining a respect for the environment and animals throughout every level of garment production. In 2019 Save The Duck was PETA’S ‘Company of the Year’ and were the first Italian fashion brand to obtain B Corp Certification, a certification reserved for the best performers in social and sustainability issues. From its origins until today, Save The Duck has always built bonds and collaborations with successful companies committed to making our planet a better place. In partnership with ACBC, Save The Duck just developed a new eco-friendly sneaker for everyday wear. Like their clothing, the sneakers encourage respect for the space around us and are a reminder of the intentional steps (both figurative and literal) that fashion brands and consumers can take to preserve our environment. We asked Save The Duck to give us an in-depth explanation of their unique approach to sustainable fashion and the technology they are using to create a more sustainable world. Please dive into our full exclusive interview here.
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