Pop, R&B, Soul, however you choose to define it, this Toronto based artist and his youthful renditions of classic pop melodies and transient synths are a subtle demarcation of shift in R&B.

After a brief hiatus following the release of his two previous EP’s, “Die For You” and “Remember When,” musician, creator, Tafari Anthony unveiled his new single “Centerfold.” “Centerfold” is a cathartic release that easily channels post break-up emotions. It's a poetic detailing of the frustrations that comes with unfulfilling relationships.

Tafari’s music has been nominated for a Toronto Independent Music Award, with one of his singles being named one of CBC's Most Influential Songs of 2016.

He’s also been hard at work for a charity called Autism Canada. In addition, Tafari helps perform for events supporting music and songwriting education for children. He recently performed for a nonprofit called Rainbow Railroad which supports getting refugee status for LGBTQI people in places where being LGBTQI is still harmful. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Tafari Anthony.

zIssue 20, SWAC: InfluencerJejune ContributorApril 3, 2020musician, music, #singer, singer, singer song writer, LGBTQ+, lgbtq, LGBTQ, lgbt, LGBTQ rights, children, youth, romance, #love, loveComment

Bloom Takes On The Algae Crisis

We all know by now that the fashion at large has, and remains, a continuous threat to our ecosystem. Carbon emissions, non-biodegradable polyesters, factory wastewater runoffs, etc., are just a few of the many issues plaguing the industry.

Our neglect of nature is rapidly changing our environment for the worse. Many lake waters across the U.S. are suffering from high levels of toxic algae, both to humans and wildlife.

This is where Bloom comes in, combating algae and creating sustainable footwear and shoe foams from bioplastic material derived from algae. Bloom is working to solve the algae crisis and restore the environment.

Please click here to learn about Bloom and their work.

Different Kinds of Healthy Tea and Their Benefits

Tea is the world's favorite beverage, as demonstrated by the wide variety of different teas to choose from. Popular across the globe, tea is a strong part of many countries’ heritage and history. Today, the overriding association of tea is with personal health and wellness, as research has found that different types of tea can help with many ailments. If you're in it for the health benefits, these are the varieties that you need to watch out for.

Just Comics' Commitment To Reduce Suffering

Amidst all the corporate deceit and uncertainty, there are some individuals who remain undeterred and true to their own values. They use their platforms to speak their hearts and hope others follow suit. Comic book artist Joan Chan, also known as Just Comics, makes it her duty and obligation to help mitigate the suffering animals and harm to our Earth. How? You may ask. Of course through comics! Read more here!

Praneet Akilla Stands For Equality

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.