Let's discuss footwear! Shoes are everywhere. With so many variations and pricing points, there must be one style of shoe that stands out above the rest, be it boots, heels, platforms, or sneakers. Additionally, as the fashion industry and businesses are impacted by climate change, finding economical solutions for both you and the earth is undoubtedly a plus while shoe shopping! Dive into Psudo Sneakers with us!
This week we are profiling Kristen Gonzalez (she/her/hers). Kristen is a tech worker, community organizer, and democratic socialist representing parts of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens next year in the New York State Senate. On August 23, she won the Democratic primary for one of two new state Senate districts, capturing 58% of the vote against a well-funded opponent. Prior to running for office, she was involved as a leader in the Democratic Socialists of America and as a local community organizer, working on campaigns for community land trusts, climate action, and public internet. She was raised by a single mother from Puerto Rico in Elmhurst, Queens, where she first got involved in activism, eventually working her way to the Obama White House before returning to community organizing in Queens.
We would like to introduce you to Zibby Allen! Allen is an actress, writer, producer, and singer/songwriter who has appeared in a number of films and television shows and is a member of the band Sock and Chimes. Despite the fact that she has already provided us with a plethora of options to watch or listen to, she is not done yet and has some exciting new projects in the works, including the fifth season of Virgin River and the lead role in the Lifetime thriller Lies Between Friends. She and her family also established The Baby Dragon Fund in memory of her brother. Although this fund is no longer active, she continues to do philanthropic work and has contributed a great deal to the Human Rights Campaign. Please continue reading to learn more about Zibby Allen's acting projects and characters, as well as The Baby Dragon Fund and other philanthropic work.
Art has the power to tell beautiful stories, and we are thrilled to introduce you to not one, but three exceptional artists! Explore art with Darren Jones' mixed media paintings, travel deep into the cold Antarctic with photographer Jonathan Pozniak, or immerse yourself in Chris Zaccaria's colorful Abusive Robot World! These artists have truly stunning one-of-a-kind pieces that you must see! Read on to learn more about each of their distinct art forms, including the process, inspirations, and any future exciting art pieces!
“A young acting sensation” are words too few that can truly describe Gabriella Uhl. A star in the making, Gabriella has been performing her whole life. One could even say it is in her blood, as she tells us that everyone in her family loves to perform. From her first appearance in The School of Rock to her latest appearance in Netflix’s 13: The Musical singing, acting, and dancing are a way of life. However, she also dabbles in philanthropic work in the form of women’s empowerment through the Maestro organization. Please read on as we delve deeper into the life of Gabrielle Uhl in this exclusive interview with Jejune Magazine.
This week we are profiling Erin Maye Quade (she/her/hers), a former Minnesota State Representative currently running for Minnesota State Senate. A biracial LGBTQ millennial, she and her wife Alyse are active in Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) politics. Erin focuses on a variety of important policy issues such as reproductive rights, health, and justice; gun safety (leading a 24-hour sit-in protest at the Minnesota House after the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting); and economic justice for all. At nine months pregnant, she went into labor while delivering a speech at the DFL party convention in April 2022; she later gave birth to daughter Harriet.
By criminalizing voluntary and consensual sex work, the government is providing consenting adults with rules on who they can have sexual relations with along with the circumstances. Criminalization of sex work induces vulnerability towards sex workers regarding violence, rape, assault and murder due to the fact that sex workers are seen as easy targets because of the negative stigma placed upon sex workers.
Being a woman is hard, first we are expected to be a boss and a mom and anything else the world needs, but then we have to be stunning while we do it. Fashion, especially lingerie, has been notoriously designed by men to make women sexy and very uncomfortable. But what if I could tell you that we actually can have the best of both worlds (plus help the environment at the same time), and, spoiler, women made it happen! Meet Stripe & Stare! Stripe & Stare focuses on sustainable lounge and underwear that is not only comfortable, but it is super cute. They celebrate their knicker/bikini design, which personally is my go to cut (very flattering!), but also use an array of fun fabric designs like tie-dye and colorful patterns. If the knicker isn’t your jam, they offer all the rest of the typical cuts in many of the same patterns. If this hasn’t convinced you, let me tell you about how soft and sustainable these fabrics are..
First, Stripe & Stare was kind enough to send me some samples to try out, so I personally know the level of softness. Now, I am typically a cotton girl, but I can honestly tell you that the TENCEL (which is 100% sustainable and made from trees) is one of the softest fabrics I have ever touched. Not only are the colorful panties silky smooth and very cute, but I now officially live in their Lightweight Jogger. These pants are comfortable enough to sleep in, but can be dressed up if you want to take them out to the beach or a park. They also come with pockets, just saying.
Anyway, enough from me, Jejune was lucky enough to dive deeper with Co-Founder Katie Lopes. Please check out our exclusive interview below.
What is better than your favorite funny aunt? How about a whole collection of them! Let me introduce you to the Tita (aunt in Tagalog) Collection. This theatrical hilarious group of Filipina-Canadian artists is here to entertain and tell us some new stories, not the same boring ones about some white guy in the same-old same-old situation. To learn more about this troupe and find out where you can catch them next, please read on!
This week we are profiling Mauree Turner (they/them/theirs). Mauree is the first openly non-binary U.S. State lawmaker and first Muslim member of the Oklahoma legislature, serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. As a Black, millennial, non-binary Muslim, Turner has described the Oklahoma legislature as unwelcoming to them, but continues to work every day for criminal justice reimaginement and rebuilding, affordable and accessible healthcare, fully-funded public education, and living wages for Oklahomans.
You have a lot to celebrate if you’re fortunate enough to take an annual vacation this year. Despite the pandemic, nearly one-quarter of American workers don’t get so much as a single paid sick day. Fewer still have sufficient PTO to escape once a year with their families and still have room left over for when their child has to stay home from school. However, many people forget the true purpose of travel, which is all about the experience and memories you make. It can be easy to get caught up in buying souvenirs, which will inevitably create clutter in your home or end up in a box in the attic. Instead, don’t fall trap to expensive souvenirs this year. Here are 10 tips for avoiding buying souvenirs on vacation and doing fun things with your money instead.
When life gives you a hard time, unwind.
How often do we get lost in opinions that may not even be ours in this current and busy world we live in? How often do we choose to be or do something that is not exactly what we want to do? When alone, in nature, that's when we are our true selves, is when the pressure of society disappears and we are one!
In this beautiful vintage editorial, the yarn nods to nature and shows the capacity and space to unravel ourselves and take a moment to sit with our inner selves. Connecting with nature in our raw form is a calm, electric feeling.
Devastating news breaks on June 24, 2022. The Supreme Court has officially reversed Roe v. Wade declaring that the federal constitutional right to abortion in the United States has ended. This ruling erases nearly 50 years of precedent but this fight is far from over! On July 31st (next event on September 21st at 9:30pm!), The Meteor, a group of journalists, artists, filmmakers, and media leaders who embrace the value and importance of stories through the power of words, hosted Say the Word: A Night of Art and Action for Abortion at Joe’s Pub. This event consisted of various talented artists performing a personalized piece addressing this crucial moment in time. You will want to continue reading below to learn more about the event and performances along with further information about The Meteor.
Today we are continuing our profiles of our favorite Progressive candidates who are running to represent their communities at the state and federal levels, and move the country forward, to continue to ensure that all Americans are equally represented in government.
This week we are profiling Georgette Gomez (she/her/hers). Georgette, a self-described “Queer brown woman from Barrio Logan”, is the former San Diego City Council president, currently running for California State Assembly. With a working-class background, Gomez graduated from San Diego State with a degree in environmental and natural resource geography. Gomez led the Toxic Free Neighborhoods Campaign to protect children from corporate polluters in residential communities. The environment, climate, affordable housing, and fighting corporate greed are all important issues for her.
Shawn Ahmed, a Canadian actor, is ready for action! Ahmed is not only breaking into the industry as an actor, but he is also managing every aspect of production with his co-founded company, Crazy Shirts Production, where he directs, writes, and produces. You might have seen him with Toni Braxton in the Lifetime film series "Fallen Angels Murder Club" or as Alphonse in season 4 of "Coroner." As if that weren't enough, he'll also appear in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, where he plays Ensign Shankar. In addition to acting and producing films, he serves on the board of directors of POV Films, a non-profit that helps marginalized youth and young adults with training, mentorship, job placement, and professional development in the film and television business. Ahmed has even pitched a series of projects led by people that were found through POV. He is changing the world, one film at a time! Keep reading below to learn more about his acting, production company, and involvement in POV films.
With the pandemic dominating the news for the past two years, many seemed to be oblivious to the threat of inflation. Now, with rates of inflation at an all time high across the world (currently 8.6% in the US) , many countries such as the US are labelling inflation their top priority.
Dan Pallotta is going back to where it all began! Pallotta has dabbled in a variety of fields, such as creating charity events and running for politics, but his music career is making a comeback and we are all ready! With new albums and singles, such as "John F. Kennedy," already released and new plans for music in the future, Pallotta is about to dominate the music world! Continue reading to learn more about his return to music, his single, "John F. Kennedy," his philanthropic events, and exciting new music on the way! You don't want to miss it!
Today we are continuing our profiles of our favorite Progressive candidates who are running to represent their communities at the state and federal levels, and move the country forward, to continue to ensure that all Americans are equally represented in government.
This week we are profiling Nikki Merritt (she/her/hers). Nikki is a Georgia State Senator representing Gwinnett County. She is a Black progressive Democrat and CWA Local 3204 labor union member. In the Georgia State Senate, she prioritizes healthcare, worker protections, voting rights, and education. She is married with two children.
As the heart of COVID is hopefully in our rearview mirror, it is important to learn from what happened and how people we treated during those times. Jejune was lucky enough to get an exclusive interview from an ex inmate who recently was released from prison, but was there for the entirety of the pandemic. For the privacy of this individual we have kept this interview anonymous. It is heartbreaking to see how mental health was completely dismissed during this time and how the prisons took advantage of the situation to milk these, mostly poor prisoners, of their money while they so hungrily craved their loved ones during scary times. Please read on.
Student life is difficult, with all of the new experiences, school work and overall just finding balance, keeping a sustainable home and life isn't easy. Although, there are little things to do and keep in mind to really make a difference for the environment and your ecological footprint. Finding the perfect balance between staying on a budget and doing what you can to be environmentally conscious does not have to be impossible!
Not all heroes wear capes! Deborah Alessi, the founder of Face Forward, is changing lives, and if you haven't heard of her yet, now is the time. Face Forward is a not-for-profit organization that provides free life-changing surgeries and emotional support to those who have been victims of cruel acts. Alessi and her organization have witnessed some of the most heartbreaking stories, which is why we are overjoyed that they have grown to over 13 countries and are still rapidly expanding! Face Forward is a truly special and powerful organization. Please keep reading to learn more about Face Forward, upcoming fundraising events, and ways you can get involved.
This week we are profiling Heather Mizeur (she/her/hers). Heather is a health policy expert, nonprofit leader, and former state legislator currently running for the US House of Representatives in Maryland's First District. She and her wife Deborah live on a 34-acre organic farm in Chestertown, Maryland. During her time in the Maryland House of Delegates, and as a candidate for governor in 2014, Mizeur focused on environmental protection, government transparency, healthcare, jobs creation, marriage equality, and the legalization of marijuana as signature issues.
New York-based model Sydney Brett is preventing bullying one workshop at a time. Through Sydney’s non-profit organization “Stronger Than You Think,” she implements anti-bullying and mental health education for youth. Sydney's mission is to stop hate at its core, especially as a victim of childhood bullying due to her struggle with dyslexia. Sydney’s curriculum is crucially needed in a world where social media can be the root of insecurities for many impressionable children coming to terms with their identities. If you are interested in Sydney’s work in the modeling industry, her amazing non-profit, or her hope for this generation, please continue reading the interview below!
This week we are profiling Taylor Small (she/her/hers). Taylor is a millennial member of the Vermont House of Representatives and is the first openly transgender legislator in Vermont, running on the Vermont Progressive Party ticket. She is also the Education Manager at Pride Center of Vermont and has worked in mental health with homeless and runaway youth at Spectrum Youth and Family Services. She promotes youth literacy and local libraries, among other education issues.
Meet the talented Regina Ting Chen! You may recognize her as Ms. Kelly, the guidance counselor at Hawkins High School in the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things.” This exciting new season premiered on May 27th and is not one to be missed! If she isn't fighting in the upside-down world, you might have seen her in one of the other 30 commercials, movies, or TV shows she has appeared on, not to mention "Marvel's" The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," HBO's Emmy-winning limited series "Watchmen," and the CW's "Dynasty." In addition, when Regina is not acting, you can find her helping Vegan Meals that Heal, a nonprofit organization, teaching HIT kickboxing, or as an animal lover, painting pet portraits, or teaching her dogs tricks! Continue reading our exclusive interview below to learn more about Ms. Kelly, her time on set, Vegan Meals that Heal, and the other activities she enjoys!
We all know the Ukrainian and Russian war is terrible for many terrifying reasons, but there is one that we haven’t really been talking about. With these extreme heat waves blazing over Europe we need to talk about how this war is impacting our environment and further intensifying climate change.
Save the penguins with Davey Harris! Singer-songwriter Davey Harris is producing music not only for us to enjoy but also to promote awareness and change. Harris was a member of the band "The Tins" for ten years before going solo and releasing songs like "Predictable" and "Self Saboteur," as well as his most recent single, "PNGN DNCE." which was released on June 16, and addresses the negative effects of the global climate crisis. Harris not only writes songs about change but also participates in them by working with an organization called ASOC, or Antarctica and the Southern Ocean Coalition. Keep reading if you want to learn more about Harris's transition to a solo career, his singles, "Predictable," "Self Saboteur," and "PNGN DANCE," and how you can assist with the current climate crisis.
With so many eco-friendly alternatives for everyday items on the market, the transition to sustainable living has never been easier. Even making one sustainable change can significantly reduce your environmental impact. If you're wondering how to live more sustainably, these eco-friendly swaps of popular home essentials are a great place to start.
Los Angeles-based Haitian writer Mike Gauyo is making it his mission to build creative opportunities for POC youth. You can thank Mike for hit series like "Insecure" and "Ginny & Georgia. Mike not only sees the importance of sharing his perspective as a Black gay Haitian immigrant, but also explores outside of his comfort zone to bring new narratives to life. To align with his values of making the writing industry more accessible to people of color, Mike founded Black Boy Writes/Black Girl Writes to connect young Black writers with industry professionals. Through Mike’s amazing program, students can receive mentorship from established writers like Amy Aniobi, Morgan Cooper, and Kemp Powers. If you are interested in Mike Gauyo’s efforts to create a more inclusive Hollywood, his newest show “Send Help”, or his experience with writing some of America’s favorite series please continue reading the interview below!
Is your closet the one place in your house that always seems cluttered? With trends changing constantly and the mass production in the fashion industry, it can be easy to overbuy clothes. We’ve all found ourselves tempted by fast fashion at some point, and overflowing closets are a common outcome.
It’s a vicious cycle, really. You clean and organize your closet only to revisit it next season just to start the process all over again. It’s time to declutter, but be mindful as you go through the process. Don’t just make the problem worse by throwing everything into the dumpster. Here are a few eco-friendly ways to declutter your closet.