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.

Mother’s Day Gift Guide: Meaningful and Eco-Friendly Ideas for Mom

Mother’s Day is a chance to celebrate all your mom has done for you, but it’s not always easy to come up with the perfect gift. Chances are, you have already given your mom all the typical presents, like cards, candles and trinkets that say “World’s Best Mom.”

While you want to do something to show your mom you care, giving a gift that may end up in the trash in a few years is not the most thoughtful or sustainable way to go. If you want to honor your mom without creating waste or clutter, here are some meaningful and eco-friendly ideas to try this Mother’s Day.

Articles, zIssue 43Cora GoldApril 25, 2022Motherhood, mother's day, gift ideas, eco friendly, gift guide, minimalism, sustainabilityComment

Raising Awareness for Refugees With Rapper Star2

Star2 was born in a Thai refugee camp, Mae La, in Thailand. He lived there with his family until the age of six, then his grandmother and her four children migrated to San Diego, CA. Star2 and his family are Ka-ren, a persecuted indigenous tribe from Burma, now named Myanmar. He currently lives and works out of San Diego as a rapper with an affinity for conscious songwriting. His newest single, “Run Away” was recently released. The single is about the current state of the world, with references to the Black Lives Matter movement and current refugee crisis in Thailand, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. The music video for the single is just as powerful, with videos of current atrocities happening throughout the world on loop in the background. Star2’s hope is to raise awareness for these issues and give back to those helping out. He works with several nonprofits such as The Border Consortium, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Thailand, The International Rescue Committee, and Karen Outreach to support refugees in Thailand and Ukraine. Read on in our interview with Star2 to learn more about his music, upcoming EP, and how he is offering support to these organizations.

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.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 43Sophie LaSalaApril 22, 2022actress, people of color, poc, representation, empowering women, blackgirlmagic, acting, activistComment

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!

COVER - Meg Donnelly - Born To Stand Out

Meg Donnelly was born to stand out. From the sweet Taylor Otto in “American Housewife” to the aspiring Addison in “ZOMBIES”, Meg will act and sing her way into your heart. This Disney star is just getting started! We are excited to see the third installment of “ZOMBIES” coming out this year and, for those who can’t get enough of her beautiful voice, she will be in the new Disney “High School Musical” show! Finally, clearly Meg has a soft spot for the celestial, because she is joining the “Supernatural” world in the new prequel “The Winchesters”. While she will still be hanging out with interesting creatures, this role will be a whole new side for her. When Meg isn’t off fighting vampires and whatnot, she is tackling a whole other demon in our society — mental health. She has been very open about her own struggles with anxiety and hopes to be a positive role model for all her young fans. To learn more about Meg, please read our exclusive cover interview below.

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!

Something Green: How to Make Your Wedding Eco-Friendly

Planning your wedding comes with highs and lows of excitement and stress. While your engagement might fill you with joy and hopefulness, you will quickly realize all the decisions, costs and complications among them — including the amount of waste you might produce during your ceremony and reception.

Whether the environmental impact of your wedding is a top priority or a factor you’re just now considering, here are some ways to make your wedding eco-friendly without compromising your vision or preferred traditions.

Articles, zIssue 42Cora GoldApril 13, 2022wedding, eco friendly, sustainable, wedding dress, eco friendly farms, Reusable, jewelry, diamondsComment

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.

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.

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.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 42Kaylyn WenzelApril 6, 2022Home, Music, Musician, New Single, EP, Uber, stream, giving back, charityComment

Revolutionary Beauty and Healing From the Inside Out With Julia Loggins

Julia Loggins is an author and certified colon hydro-therapist with a specialty in regenerative nutrition, and fertility health. Her newest book ‘Revolutionary Beauty’ recently came out and shares her story with debilitating health issues and her 7 step plan for healing from the inside out. Throughout the new book she collaborated closely with Patricia Bragg, founder of the first and largest natural foods products company in America. Through this book, the pair want women to know that they can reclaim energy, joy and optimism, and live a joyful, pain-free life. In her interview with Jejune, Julia breaks down their 7 step plan further and offers her expertise on a healthy and fulfilling diet. Additionally, she opens up about her support for KPFK Radio in LA and WBAI in NYC. She has donated hours of consulting and classes to promote gut health and wellness and has plans to do so in 2022! Read on in our interview with Julia Loggins to learn more.

Editor's Pick, Wellness, zIssue 42Kaylyn WenzelApril 4, 2022Beauty, Healing, Author, Therapist, Nutrition, Health, New Book, Diet, WellnessComment

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.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 42Kaylyn WenzelApril 1, 2022Anti-Hero, Film, giving back, Actress, Musician, Music, music industry, New single, Song, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+, CommunityComment

Women's History Month and the Top 10 Women Of Our Time

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Jejune is honoring ten women of our generation that are making a difference both inside and outside of their respective industries. The list includes musicians, athletes, activists, politicians, humanitarians, and designers that are going above and beyond their field of work. Although we have come a long way for female equality here in the U.S., women across the world are still struggling to achieve the same equality. As the month of March comes to a close, our hope is that the strong women of this generation and that of the next follow in the footsteps of the strong women listed below in order to promote a better world.

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!

Cirque Du Soleil's Ovo Will Have You Crawling To Go! - By Quentin Fears

Cirque Du Soleil's Ovo is an insect-themed kaleidoscope of wonder and color, a fantasia that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Visually the show is dynamic, thanks to a wall of projected colors and images measuring 64 feet wide and is 30 feet tall. Initially, Ovo was created as a touring Big Top show but was revamped in 2016 for arenas. The show starts with a curious inflated "ovo," the name for egg in Portuguese, taking center stage, representing the enigma of and the cycle of the insert's lives. The egg stands at an impressive 22 feet and is 28 feet wide, making for an impactful first visual of the show.

Art, zIssue 42, Most PopularJejeune MagazineMarch 25, 2022circus, live shows, theatre, Art, artist, LA, contortionistComment

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.

Can Your Skincare Routine Be More Eco-Friendly?

Skincare can be an important way to feel happy and healthy. There are endless products on the market that offer different benefits, but a product's packaging and ingredients directly impact the global ecosystem. The cosmetic industry notoriously produces single-use products made with plastic containers. However, ethical consumers can shrink their footprints and improve their appearance by adopting sustainable skincare routines. Individuals can bolster ecological conservation efforts by using eco-friendly goods. Before heading to the store, it’s important to know what makes certain products more sustainable than others.

COVER - Ultimate Boss Bae GG Townson

GG Townson is Los Angeles native best known for her role as “Salt” in the hit biopic Salt-N-Pepa. Granddaughter of Ron Townson, one of the lead singers of the iconic vocal group Fifth Dimension, GG is inspired by his life and career and plans to carry on the Townson legacy in the entertainment industry. She currently stars in BET+’s Sacrifice, which follows a high-powered entertainment attorney, Daniella Hernandez (Paula Patton), as she navigates the complicated lives of her clients. One of those clients is GG’s character Jameson, which she describes as both a loose cannon and the ultimate boss bae. When GG isn’t being a power woman on the screen, she is fighting for women through her support and work with the non-profit Breaking the Chains, an organization that works with artists and creators to bring awareness to eating disorders. Read on in our interview with GG to learn more about her career and activism!

Why People Should Switch to Vegan Shoes and Why We Are Seeing More Brands Going This Route - By Crystal Toledano

Veganism is a concept that most people rarely see beyond the context of food. However, the growing interest in veganism has also spurred a slow but steadily increasing attraction towards vegan clothing and shoes. The vegan footwear market is set to grow by an average annual rate of 6.8% throughout the next decade. This shows that, although vegan shoes are not mainstream, just yet, we’re seeing it trend towards that direction.

The simple truth is that there is plenty of value to be found in vegan footwear, a significant portion of which lies in heightened care for the planet and everything in it. The best part is that you don’t need to sacrifice quality for your values. There are now many vegan shoes that could easily hold up to their animal-based counterparts; some might even hold up better. That said, here are some of the best reasons why people should begin making the switch to vegan shoes.