Kazy Tauginas - Raising Awareness for Lupus in Film

Kazy Tauginas is an actor and an athlete. You may recognize him from his work in John Wick, Dolomite is My Name, The Broken Tower, and most recently, as Ari in the box office smash The Equalizer 2, starring Denzel Washington. Kazy has a passion for bringing awareness to Lupus in film, a cause close to his heart. After writing several short films (and starring in over 20 of them), Tauginas drew inspiration from his mother who’d been diagnosed with Lupus and his own boxing experience, and decided to write “Standing Eight,” a short about a boxer who is forced to retire and contend with life outside of the ring after being diagnosed with systemic lupus. During the spring of 2015 he oversaw two successful Kickstarter campaigns to fully fund the film. Since its completion, “Standing Eight” has won ten festival awards including Trinity International Film Festival’s Best Short Film, and is currently nominated for another four. Tauginas advocacy for the disease is driven by passion and rooted in art and we are excited to share his interview with you. for more on Kazy Tauginas, please read out exclusive interview below.

Art, zIssue 31, Most PopularForrest JohnsonApril 2, 2021advocacy, lupus, awareness, representation, film, short film, actor, director, disease, athlete, boxing, actionComment

Tommy Habeeb To The Rescue

Actor, producer, and reality show host Tommy Habeeb gives rescue dogs a second chance at life on his popular TV show To The Rescue. Tommy is well known as the original host of the reality series “Cheaters,” and has produced, hosted, and appeared in more than a dozen nonfiction TV shows, including “Eye for an Eye” and “Billionaires Car Club.” While busy with projects, Tommy also dedicates his time to helping animals off the screen as the founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Forever Family Rescue. Keep reading to learn more about Tommy Habeeb, To The Rescue, and his accompanying non-profit Forever Family Rescue.

Liberty Styles: When Times Are Tough, Music Unites Us

While some people have never understood music, for some people music shapes who you are. One of those people is Liberty Styles. She says 'Music has always occupied most of my time/thoughts even if I wasn’t necessarily doing it professionally.' Her second EP Roam Wide, which is set where she grew up, reflects complicated emotions like love, isolation, and coming together during tough times. She is influenced by many styles of music including jazz, funk, flamenco, grunge, alternative. Tap dance is the main thing that shapes her music. Liberty also wanted to honor the strength of working womxn with The Waitress, which is a unique example of solidarity. She shows her activism in different ways and all proceeds from this tape will go directly to G.L.I.T.S., a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. We talked to Liberty Styles about her music, future plans, and voluntaryeer projects. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Liberty Styles.

COVER - Victoria Konefal Dreams Of A Green Future

Victoria Konefal brings passion to this world by dreaming of a green future. You may know Victoria from her work on Day of our Lives, where she plays the fierce and independent Ciara Brady, and Victoria’s legacy is continuing to grow off-screen with her tremendous conservation efforts with organizations like Heal the Bay and Thirst Project. Conservation has taken a backseat during the turmoil of the pandemic and it is people like Victoria who are helping to put the spotlight back onto what we can do in our everyday lives to make a real contribution to conservation. In honor of Women’s History Month, we were very excited to talk to Victoria about the impact of a woman’s voice — we discuss her experience in Hollywood as an actress, working with women directors, and being an advocate for a better and brighter future. For more on Victoria Konefal, please read our exclusive editorial interview below.

Connor Dean’s Perfect Ace

Connor Dean is a triple A - an actor, and athlete, and an advocate. From Butch the Bully, to the Young Entertainer Awards, to the USTA (United States Tennis Association), Connor Dean remains humble and relatable. And like many of us, he is having a blast on TikTok - despite his accomplishments. Dean is also passionate about humanitarianism, his collaborations with organizations like the Leukemia Foundation and Starlight Children’s Foundation will not go unnoticed. Jejune, curious as always, sat down with Connor Dean to learn more about his work as an actor and ambassador, as well as his tennis chops. For more on Connor Dean, read below.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 30Jejune ContributorMarch 26, 2021Actor, athlete, Humanitarian, charitywork, cancer, nonprofit, tiktok, leukemia, kids, teens, teen star, tennisComment

Ain't I A Woman? Cheri Moon's Anthem of Empowerment For All Women

It is International Women’s Month and Cheri Moon is here to kick it up a notch. Cheri’s new single harkens back to a staple in women’s rights history: Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I A Woman” speech. Sharing the same name with the famous speech, Moon’s “Ain’t I A Woman” is a powerful anthem for 2021. The message of her music resonates with soulful celebration with the punchiness of a pop-ballad. Outside of Cheri’s music career, you can also catch her working along side Good + Foundation. In our interview with Cheri, we talk about Sojourner’s influence today for women everywhere and what hopeful emergences we have seen in the past year for feminism. For more on Cheri Moon, please read our exclusive interview below.

The History of Women’s History Month

March is a significant time of year where we celebrate the tremendous impact women have had on society. It is a time to honor the women who fought valiantly for the right to vote, the women who live out their dream jobs, and even our history-making vice president. Women’s History Month is a wonderful way to pay tribute to all of them. But why March? To understand, we have to look to the past.

Tyla Anne Harris Is Here To Prove She Will Be The Role Model Of The Next Generation

Tyla Anne Harris is here to show us why acting is so much more than it appears to be. She is the Jasmine Wallace in ABC's ‘For Life’ which is a fictional serialized legal and family drama that was inspired by the life of Isaac Wright Jr. Just like her character, Jasmine never stops. She is focusing on getting a degree in law and she believes that whether good or bad, people should make smart, educated political choices, whatever choice that is to them about the current political situation. She is a good example for the actors from her generation. Also, she is working with Saving Our Daughters Organization, which works with girls from multicultural backgrounds through the arts to help them overcome esteem obstacles. We talked to Tyla Anne Harris about her career, school life, and voluntary projects. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about her.

The Talented & Fabulous Tamela D’Amico

Tamela D’Amico is an established actress and singer, residing in Los Angeles. She is best known for her role on Disney’s “Best Friends Whenever” and Amazon’s “Englishman in L.A.”, for which she was awarded “Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Web Series” by LA WEB FEST. Tamela is also a recording artist and her music has been heard on more than 140 national radio and cable outlets. She sings the theme song “Love and the Gun” in both English and Italian for the film, Rob the Mob. In Tamela’s latest film, One Little Finger, Tamela plays Raina, an American Neurologist researching music therapy in India. The Indian-American film is an inspirational story on music therapy and purpose is to educate people about the abilities of those with disabilities. All of the money earned is going straight into the One Little Finger Foundation. At the moment, Tamela is working on a new antiviral film project that includes short films threaded together from all over the world about the pandemic experience. Please read our full interview with Tamela D’Amico below.

Fighting Homelessness & Poverty with HOPE

During one of the largest economic crises our country has ever seen, when cities are forcing landlords not to evict tenants who can’t pay, thousands have lost their jobs, and the number of homeless has yet to be calculated, there is hope. There is hope in Tiny Homes. Hope of the Valley’s Tiny Homes Villages is one of the most beautiful initiatives I have heard about so far in 2021. In one of the cities in the US that has the worst numbers of homelessness, Los Angeles, this organization is just stating the fight, and they are doing it in style. They have set up a transitional micro-village, where people wanting to pull themselves off the streets are given the resources to do so. Hope of the Valley has no only done this smartly, but also sensitively for the people who are moving in. They make sure they are safe, clean, feed, and even have a dog park for those with pets. I’m so excited to share with you our exclusive interview with the CEO of Hope of the Valley, Ken Craft.

EDITORIAL - Jarry Lee Is A Voice In The Silence

Jarry is a NYC-based model/actress, musician, and influencer who did something courageously out of the ordinary — she came out as bisexual on the hit Netflix show, Dating Around. With a social media following rising at astronomical rates, Jarry never chooses silence. Jarry is a bold voice with an extra aesthetic, and she is committed to lending her voice to strengthen the visibility of the LGBTQ+ and Asian community. In our interview with Jarry, we talk about her life in NYC during the pandemic, her coming out moment, and the current wave of violence against Asian Americans. You don’t want to miss this moment with Jarry! Please read our full and exclusive editorial and interview below.

Nikki DeLoach’s Guide to Self Love

Nikki DeLoach is someone to look up to. Since her days on the Mickey Mouse Club , DeLoach has starred in MTV’s hit series Awkward, guest starred in NCIS and Criminal Minds, and taken over Hallmark. But DeLoach’s work does not end when cameras stop rolling —she’s been taking up activism for over a decade. The co-founder of What We Are, DeLoach aims to encourage women to tell their own stories, as she has done. She pursues every cause that is dear to her and inspire others to do the same along the way. DeLoach went in detail with Jejune about these causes, making the most out of the holidays amid COVID-19, and why we should all be activists. For more on Nikki Deloach, read below.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 30, Editor's PickJejune ContributorMarch 12, 2021Actor, Film, christmas, feminism, activist, Humanitarian, voting rights, familyComment

Let Acharya Shunya Give You 2000-Year-Old Vedic Wisdom

Meet Acharya Shunya — a spiritually awake internationally renowned and awarded spiritual teacher and scholar of nondual wisdom (Advaita) and a classically-trained master of Yoga and Ayurveda. The first female head of her 2000-year old Indian spiritual lineage, Acharya has dedicated her life to empowering health and elevating consciousness worldwide. Learning from Acharya is an opportunity like no other; she gives 21st-century seekers with the rare opportunity to receive authentic teachings, with a distinctly down-to-earth, feminine flavor.

Wellness, zIssue 30Forrest JohnsonMarch 10, 2021lifestyle, health, healthy, wisdoem, wisdom, indian, heritage, women, women entrepreneur, author, feminine, feminism, practice, yoga, empoweringComment

Natasha Calis Is In A League Of Her Own

Natasha Calis knows what she’s doing. Acquainted with the camera since a young age, Calis has starred in numerous films and TV series, making her mark among well known names in the entertainment industry. Now, a sophisticated Calis is once again demonstrating her incredible acting chops, starring in Nurses, NBC’s new series. Putting her heart and soul into this role, Calis is Ashley Collins, a young nurse whose wit and kindness makes her stand out. Calis told Jejune all about her acting career, what it’s like playing a nurse why we should admire and respect healthcare workers, now more than ever. To learn more about Natasha Calis, please read below.

The Limit Doesn’t Exist for Hadar Cats

As a young child, Hadar Cats was in every theatre production at her school and attended performing arts summer camps. These experiences were the springboard into the world of film and made her debut in Amazon Prime’s AKA Nadia & Incitement. In her latest film, My Dad’s Christmas Date, Hadar stars alongside Jeremy Piven in a heartwarming story revolving around love and family. Besides being a talented actress, Hadar has been competing as a professional Equestrian since she was seven years old and speaks three different languages. She is also an advocate for animal rights and works closely with The Freedom Farm Sanctuary. Check out our interview with Hadar Cats to learn more about her.

Where Does Democracy Go From Here?

The deadly insurrection on Capitol Hill this past January was a direct result of former president Donald Trump’s relentless attack on American Democracy. For two and a half centuries, American presidents have acted as both the head of government (like a prime minister in other regimes) and head of state (like a monarch). During his term in office, Trump took advantage of his power as a quasi-monarch in profoundly disturbing ways. He condoned racism and praised violent groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. He also used his influence as the highest-ranking official in the country as a way to incite violence against reporters and political foes. On January 6, Congress convened to count the Electoral College votes that would confirm Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States. Simultaneously, Trump encouraged his supporters to threaten our nation’s foundation with intimidation, violence, and anarchy during his "Save America" rally. And they did exactly as instructed.

Amisha Ghadiali Brings a Fresh Perspective with Intuitive Therapy

With 2020 behind us, we’re all looking for ways to envision a beautiful future — and that must start with seeking out the best version of ourselves. Enter Amisha Ghadiali, who is bringing a fresh perspective to how we interact with the world around us and ourselves through intuitive therapy. Amisha is an award-winning social entrepreneur, intuitive therapist, and the founder of the Presence Collective — an online community for creative, connected, and courageous living. Her work is centered around sacred activism, as she inspires international audiences to become effective agents of change and contribute to the collective wellbeing of the world. Her anticipated book, Intuition: Access your inner wisdom. Trust your instincts. Find your path is all about starting positive change within yourself and spreading it to the world around you. Looking for change? Amisha’s got the tools for you. Continue reading for our exclusive interview with Amisha Ghadiali.

You Will Know Peyton Stilling

At just the young age of 18, Peyton Stilling has already garnered acclaim from the likes of NPR Music and Mahogany Sessions, as well as American Songwriter and Earmilk. Her latest single “Healing” is both raw and honest. Inspired by the heartbreak she’d gone through, her vulnerability and pain are evident through the lyrics and overall song. Her last single “Forest through the Trees” has garnered over 200k streams on Spotify alone. Besides doing music, Peyton makes time to help those with disabilities. From giving back to her community, garnering acclaim from notable media organizations, working with Grammy-nominated producers, to being a talented singer and songwriter, Peyton Stilling is on route to establishing her name in the music industry. Mark my words. Please continuing reading for our exclusive interview with Peyton below.

Cal Mosack Finds The Right Fit With Nic Tailor

When Cal Mosack established the brand Nic Tailor for men’s undergarments, he did it with the goal of creating a piece of clothing that would take practicality to the next level with comfort and inclusivity, with the need to raise awareness for men's body positivity in mind. Cal Mosack’s mission with Nic Tailor is not out to sell unique underwear, but to send out an urgent message concerning body positivity and men’s mental health. Mosack sat down with Jejune to talk about his vision for Nic Tailor, the brand’s partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation and a certain Twilight actor, and the harmful stigma surrounding prostate cancer. To know more about Cal Mosack and Nic Tailor, please read below.

Dan & Méz Exudes Luxury & Sustainability

After Daniele Madonia and Clemens Kholbacher randomly met each other by chance at a local bar in their hometown of Austria, their passion for veganism and fair fashion inspired them to create, Dan & Méz. Dan & Méz offer chic and timeless watches that are 100% sustainable and vegan. Dan and Méz challenges the status quo and tackle the unethical policies of the leather industry. Their products have also been featured in GQ, InStyle, and Ecocult. Daniele and Clemens are determined to change the whole leather industry and establish vegan & eco friendly leather as the new norm. Check out our interview with Daniele and Clemens for a deeper understanding of the brand, the inspirations behind it, and what they hope to achieve with Dan & Méz.