Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Sade Elhawary, California State Assembly District 57

Sade Elhawary (she/her) is a millennial activist and high school history teacher. A graduate of UCLA and Harvard, Sade served as a prominent member of Karen Bass’s successful election campaign to be mayor of Los Angeles. At age 28, she traveled the world, visiting 28 countries - one for each year of her age. As a Black and Latina community activist, Sade is most passionate about unifying Black and Brown people to combat white supremacy, and fight for racial equity and economic justice. As a proud member of the LGBTQ community, she promotes the queer community's resilience and political struggle for liberation. Sade is promoting healthcare for all (including reproductive and mental health), providing educational and employment opportunities for young people, and criminal justice reform in her campaign.

Mai Khoi - Bad Activist?

I went into Mai Khoi and the Dissidents' show “Bad Activist” only knowing that she had a crazy back story, was a refugee from Vietnam, and that she was very talented (like everyone Joe’s Pub has!). What I didn’t expect to experience was an incredibly educational, cultural, and art explosion! Mai Khoi walks us through her story, and the story of many Vietnamese who criticize their government, through spoken word, music (most that was sung in Vietnamese with translations on a video above her), costume changes, and visuals.

Art, Editor's Pick, zIssue 53Jejeune MagazineFebruary 6, 2024refugee, Refugee, singer song writer, singer, Art, vietnam, activist, Joe's Pub, review, live shows, nyc, Obama, asian artist, asianComment

Ani Cordero - A Soulful Exploration of Love and Healing

In a world that often defines us by language and culture, Ani Cordero created Aniworld as her private realm. This Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, drummer and activist brings her unique perspective to her album Anamores, a collection of songs rooted in the power of love. Written during the uncertainty of the pandemic, these songs reflect Ani's deep dive into meditation practices and exploration of different forms of love. Each song is beautifully represented in a deck of meditation cards, inviting listeners to embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery. Read on to learn more about Ani.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 50Jessica MoraAugust 2, 2023singer song writer, activist, Aniworld, Puerto Rican, Ani CorderoComment

Elliot Frances Flynn - Making an Impact on the Film Industry

Elliot Frances Flynn is an actress, an artist, and a passionate advocate for storytelling. With her feature film debut in 2021 and her work with Collective Focus, Flynn has established herself as a multifaceted artist and a voice for positive change. She’s an inspiration to aspiring artists and a role model for young women. Her breakout performance in the film earned her praise from critics and fans alike. She is also set to appear in two feature films coming soon to theaters — “Linoleum” and “Confession.” But Flynn’s work goes beyond acting. She’s an artist, a philanthropist, and a passionate advocate for storytelling. Flynn is a founding member of Collective Focus, a donation-run artist collective operating a Resource Hub in Bushwick, NY. The Collective Focus Resource Hub provides space for artist-driven projects, workshops, and events that help foster collaboration, foster creativity, and create positive change. Continue reading as we explore the journey that has led Flynn to the forefront of the acting world and her work off-screen.

Seth Maxwell - Saving the Planet One Drop at a Time

Seth Maxwell started his career on stage, but soon left acting for activism. He began the Thirst Project as a way to raise awareness about the global water crisis, but never imagined the successful organization it turned out to be. With over 3,000 projects the Thirst Project has helped over 500,000 people around the world gain access to clean drinking water. Seth also created Legacy Youth Leadership which is a non-profit organization that provides students with the tools to reach their academic and philanthropic goals. Jejune got a chance to chat with Seth about his inspiration and hopes for the future generation.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2022 - Kristen Gonzalez, New York State Senate District 59

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.

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

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!

Don’t Fit In With Fab The Duo

Talk about a power couple! Meet Fab The Duo! This interracial power couple based in LA serves Rock music with a side of Philanthropy. Their spunky yet glamorous aesthetic is worthy of admiration this Valentine’s Day! Both Greg Driscoll and Brendan Eprile are outspoken body positivity, LGBTQ+, and gender expression advocates, and they make that prominent in their musical abilities and fundraising work. Fab The Duo recently released a song called “Weird Year” with artist Lucy and La Mer, which accurately depicts the mood of 2021. “Weird Year” is a flawless send-off for 2021, and we are here for it! Jejune is delighted to share this interview! If you are interested in Fab the Duo’s music, their support for LGBTQ+ organizations, or just sheer curiosity about how they can be so amazing, please continue reading below!

Scarlett Lewis is Teaching Us All to Choose Love

On December 14th, 2012, Scarlett Lewis tragically lost her six-year old son, Jesse, in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. This was one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history, as the community lost Jesse, 19 of his first-grade classmates, and six educators. In the wake of tragedy, Scarlett Lewis established the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, which advocates for social-emotional character development to teach both children and adults how to live a Choose Love lifestyle and empower them emotionally, mentally, personally, and socially. Today, the program reaches all 50 states and over 100 countries, serving over 2 million children. In Scarlett’s interview with Jejune Magazine, she explains the Choose Love Formula, how we all can implement the formula in our daily lives, and the most important steps we must address in order to abolish school shootings. Read on to learn more about how Scarlett is teaching all of us to Choose Love!

Cover - Jenn Lyon & The Scarlet Letter

To meet Jenn Lyon for the first time is like connecting with a friend you have known for years. Not only is she completely hilarious, but she is a real person with a huge heart. You can currently see her on the the fabulous TNT show Claws, where she plays a bad ass manicurist, who is loyal to a fault. You really have to watch the show to understand how that all makes sense together. While Jenn is excited for everyone to love the last season of Claws as much as she does, she is even more passionate about making the world a better place, especially from the eyes of a woman.

Jenn is connected to a ton of activism, and when she takes on a cause, she goes elbows deep! This might mean she is manning an eating disorder hotline, rummaging through funny looking veggies at the local food pantry, or on the ground humbly drawing signs for strangers at the Women’s March. There is no denying it, Jenn Lyon is the real deal, and it is an honor for Jejune to have her as our next cover!

Alexa Nisenson Inspires Through Actions

While many teens dream of making a presence in Hollywood, Alexa Nisenson is living it! Aside from voicing a character for Cartoon Network and landed a starring role in AMC’s hit series - Fear The Walking Dead - she is also challenging herself with writing books and music at the age of 15. The rising star is also a passionate humanitarian. She is a mental health activist and cancer research advocate. Alexa is truly an inspiring role model for young teens everywhere. Jejune is excited to share our interview with Alexa to learn more about her remarkable journey as a teen actress.

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

Staying Curious with The Bachelor's Kendall Long

If there’s such a thing as a curiosity guru, Kendall Long would certainly be one. After she made her debut on season 22 of The Bachelor and later on Bachelor in Paradise, Kendall became a sensation. Her lovable personality, quirky interest in taxidermy, and kind heart are what make Kendal a person we couldn’t wait to interview. We talk to Kendall about her new book Just Curious: A Notebook of Questions, which is exactly that: a book of questions (and a journal too!). And let’s be honest: Just Curious is coming at the best time of the pandemic when Zoom calls and staying indoors during winter could not be more monotonous. We need to stay curious! We also chat about Kendall’s love for animals, represented by her secondhand taxidermy hobby and her rescue pup Pistachio. If you’re curious about Kendall and interested in what she has been up to since her time on reality TV, please read our exclusive interview below.

Hallmark Movie Star Jessy Schram Is Helping The Homeless Crisis In L.A.

Jessy 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.

Why I Vote...

Jejune is super excited to announce that we are partnering up with Head Count to help get the word out for voter registration! Today, September 22nd, is National Voter Registration Day. This means we don’t have a lot of time to register to vote ((normally there would be about two weeks left to register in most states)). So, let’s all sign up today! If you are not signed up already, please follow the link here. If you are already signed up, get all your friends to do it!

Articles, Most Popular, Editor's Pick, zIssue 26, zIssue 26.2Kira BuccaSeptember 22, 2020vote, voting, #election, election, 2020, A future to believe in, our future, future, activist, #vote, head countComment

Leonardo Nam's World of Hope

Leonardo Nam, much like his character in Westworld, has a gift for creation — studying architecture in college before pursuing a career in acting. Leonardo's interests manifest in his works of charity. The Argentine-Australian actor has worked with Habitat for Humanity and many other organizations in an effort to give back. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about Leonardo.

Allison Munn: The Importance Behind The Vote

Allison Munn - kind, resolute, funny - has an extensive catalog within the entertainment and performance arts. Whether it be her early tenure performing in theater, or roles on the small screen, Allison displays a tenacity that is uniquely her own. “I did that show for two and a half years - eight shows a week, for over 500 performances,” the South Carolina native stated when referring to her lead role of ‘Luisa’ in off broadway's “The Fantasticks.”

Alison's work and passions also extend to her work advocating for political involvement, having worked with Rock The Vote, encouraging voter registration. She believes in female empowerment and using your voice to create change. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Allison.

Zahra Bentham Envisions a Colorful Future

Actress, singer, Zahra Bentham continues to convey her fervor for equality off-screen. She supports causes close to her heart which include “Black Women Film! Canada”, a leadership program and new collective dedicated to forwarding the careers, networks and skills of filmmakers and media artists who are Black female identified of the Canadian African diaspora. Zahra also teamed up with Karena Evans (award-winning director and actor) to use her voice as a platform for awareness and change amidst fears welling during the 2016 burgeoning stages of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Zahra and her works.

Filmmaker Meredith Grace Dabney Casts A Spotlight On Depression

Meredith Dabney, actress, activist, filmaker, and writer is set to release her first breakthrough short film titled HERE TODAY, which is currently doing its festival run and its wide release early this year. Meredith uses her platform to raise awareness for those individuals struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide; partnering with the non-profit To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA). Please click here to learn more about Meredith and her works.