COVER - Yasmine Aker - Canaries In The Coal Mine

Iranian actress Yasmine Aker is capturing hearts on screen and beyond the camera's lens. Motivated by her humanitarian spirit, she uses her platform to spotlight issues near and dear to her heart. Yasmine takes on societal challenges and embraces the meaning of advocacy by spotlighting mental health awareness while standing up for LGBTQ+ rights and women's empowerment. Beyond her roles on screen, she provides a glimpse into the beauty of her Iranian heritage by taking on the role of a cultural representative in the industry and spreading a message of understanding. To learn more about Yasmine Aker, and all her activism, please read on!

Diane Burko - Encapsulating Time Through Art

The planet and it’s people are constantly changing, and Diane Burko is helping us bear witness to it through her unique and beautiful way to documenting our world and climate change in her paintings and photographs. As a life long environmentalist and and advocate for indigenous rights, Diane encourages others to take in the world around us and work toward protecting it together. Her inspirational "time-based media" and collaboration with scientists to analyze and disseminate information has helped to educate viewers about the changes we are seeing on this planet. And while it might feel like a tough battle, Diane feels so much hope for the younger generations and their passion for our planet. Please read on to find out more about Diane Burko and how she sees the world.

Editor's Pick, Art, zIssue 48Chelsea ChanApril 21, 2023enviornment, climate change, climate crises, lanscapes, photography, ecosystems, paintings, education, advocacy, ArtComment

Anastasiya Mitrunen: Understanding The Effects of One’s Actions

Los Angeles-based actress Anastasiya Mitrunen makes it her mission to advocate for those that can not advocate for themselves. Whether Anastasiya's work in her industry or her philanthropy, she does everything with the hope of ending others' suffering. You can find Anastasiya recently starring in her feature film "The Walk," opposite Terrance Howard and Jeremy Piven. "The Walk" premiered on June 10th and relays the story of a court-ordered Integration in Boston. Although Anastasiya's character is not on the right side of history, her acting is genuinely insightful to the hate we are still trying to counter in modern times. Anastasiya Mitrunen has won the Best Actress Awards in several film festivals, and without a doubt, "The Walk" is a must-see movie! If you are interested in Anastasiya's feature film, her thoughts on her character Pat Coughlin, or Anastasiya's humanitarian work with L.A Animal Save please continue reading the interview below!

Michael & Matthew: The International Power Couple

Meet Michael and Matthew! This Portland-based travel power couple has been taking the world by storm, literally. With their remarkable and insightful blog, not only are we obsessed with this incredible relationship, but also in awe of the travel destinations they visit. As a couple that met over the internet and shared their powerful LGBTQIA+ coming out experiences, they have found empowerment by traveling and documenting trips to Juneau, Alaska, Bermuda, and more! With 2020 putting a real damper on their endeavors, their abroad life came to a halt. However, now, they are back and better than ever, eager to hit the road again. Amazingly, Michael and Matthew are also advocates for LGBTQIA+ equity through their partnership with GLAAD, an organization that aims to open dialogue surrounding LGBTQIA+ issues. Jejune is excited to interview this couple! Whether you're sitting in a beach chair in the Bahamas or on the couch like the rest of us, you're not going to want to miss this insightful and positively proud interview with Matthew and Michael! Please continue reading below!

Emiliana Guereca on Women's Reproductive Rights and Equality for All

Emiliana Guereca is the President of the Women’s March LA Foundation, which was founded in 2016. In her interview with Jejune Magazine, Emiliana explains that the Foundation was established due to the 2016 election and the amounting threats towards Women’s Rights from both parties. Even today, their work is more prevalent then ever. Recently, the states of Texas and Mississippi have created legislation to ban abortion well before fetal viability. In response, the Women’s March Foundation is putting together a direct mail postcard campaign aimed at big brass Texas businesses asking them to support women’s reproductive rights. Over 250k postcards have already been sent to CEO’S of Texas organizations that supposedly support women. Readers can get involved by visiting their website, listed down below. Read on to learn more about the important work Emiliana Guereca and the Women’s March Foundation of LA is doing to advocate for equality.

Welcome to L'FREAQ's Dark Syth-Pop Kingdom

Welcome to L’Freaq’s Dark Synth-Pop Kingdom —where darker lyrics, inclusivity, and the power of poetry reign. As if that doesn’t sound bad-ass enough, wait until you hear L’Freaq’s new single “Showgirl”, which is a real demonstration of powerful lyrics backed by intentional artistry of sound. As a master of metaphors, L’Freaq uses her music as a mode of critique of the facades of the music industry and society at large, and that’s exactly what you get in “Showgirl.” As an ally of everyone on the spectrum of gender and sexuality, bullies, racists, and sexists are not allowed in L’Freaq's kingdom. She is a supporter of the Ally Coalition and frequently advocates for mental health awareness. We got to sit down with L’Freaq to dive into her songwriting process, her advocacy work, and what keeps her inspired. Continue reading for our exclusive interview with L’Freaq below!

Hailey Nicole Ralston: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

To all the people that say teens are too young to know their passion, Hailey Nicole Ralston is here to prove you wrong. She knew her goals since just over two years old and is currently embarking on an exciting journey to get there, with no plans to slow down. At just the age of 17, Ralston has been in numerous films and TV series with Nickelodeon, HBO, and Fox Searchlight Pictures. Not only that, she is presently producing her own short film, The Creature, on top of her existing lineup of several creative projects. When she’s off-screen, she spends her time doing humanitarian work. A star not only with talents but with a huge heart. Check out our interview with Ralston as we go in-depth to find out more about her talents, as well as, the inspiration behind her creative and humanitarian endeavors.

Ava Breeze Bustling to Make Worthy Changes

Ava Breeze is not your common teenager. At just the age of fourteen, she has done more impact than an average high-school student. Besides being a high honor student, she is also a singer, actress, model, influencer, and best of all, an advocate for anti-bullying because of her sister with a rare disease (DHX-30). Despite Covid turning the world upside down, it has not stopped the multitalented teen from pursuing her passion. She has been spending her time in the studio recording her first single, Girls of Summer, which was released early this summer on top of preparing to film a streaming series, Irreverand. Breeze is currently one of the youngest ambassadors for Pure Vida to raise funds to support the research on DHX-30. Check out our interview below to find out more about Breeze’s experiences as Jejune walkthrough on each of her creative realms and DHX-30.

KG Crown Sings For Righteousness

Every day is a change for the better. KG Crown is the living proof to always embrace your own individuality and never stop fighting regardless of the challenges. Why do we say that? Because she fights against all odds to pursue her dream as a Pop singer even though she (including her family) was bullied by her peers, grown-ups, and even worse, mothers and teachers from her town. Her dedication to performing resulted in her quickly garnering over 155K+ followers and 500K+ views across her platforms. She recently released an anti-bullying anthem, Bad, standing up for herself and her loves one. KG Crown is truly admirable as she further uses her platform to bring awareness to bullying and inspires her followers to stand up for themselves. Read our interview below as KG Crown gets candid about her take on bullying and her sensational journey in pursuing her dreams.

Into the Hidden Dangerous World with George Gittoes

You definitely don’t want to miss out on George Gittoes! No one is more daring and adventurous than him. The Australian native is not only an artist and photographer, he’s also a filmmaker. Gittoes has spent over 25 years witnessing life-changing moments in some of the most notorious places in the world. Despite the uncountable encountered dangers, he continues to strap on filming equipment and goes into battlefields to fight for justice and equality. The talented director and his lovely wife, Hellen Rose, have brought positive social change and shun light on the local community through a non-profit they founded, The Yellow House. Come with Jejune to understand more about his experience in the hidden dangerous world and the impact his artwork has brought to the world with our exclusive interview below.

Cerina Vincent: Super Mom on a Mission

If you have watched the childhood classic, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, you will know Cerina Vincent! She was none other than the yellow ranger, Maya. Besides the well-known Sci-Fi series, the actress acted in Disney Channel’s “Stuck In The Middle” and indie film “Killing Eleanor.” Most recently, she has transformed from a superhero to a super mom on a mission. Like Maya’s wild spirit and ability to understand people and everything around her, she launched a podcast series on parenthood — Raising Amazing — with her Pediatrician, Dr. Gator, which garnered over five thousand downloads in the first 24 hours! She did not stop there —she also supports two nonprofit organizations. Take a journey with Jejune to learn more about Cerina’s story as a super mom, working for decades in Hollywood, Parenting during a Pandemic, and more!

Jessii Vee on Breaking The Cycle of Toxicity

Move over Jake Paul, here comes Jessii Vee! A Youtube sensation and TikTok influencer who has garnered over a whopping 2.5 million subscribers and 3.5 million followers respectively by bringing awareness to social issues. The content creator’s mission is to create safe spaces for youth online through her social platforms and most recently, YANA (You Are Not Alone) to encourage isolated and struggling individuals to connect with others. Her impressive experience doesn’t end there as she is also an actress and an advocate for Lyme Disease. Check our exclusive interview with Jessii Vee on her path to break the cycle of toxicity.

Sir Daniel Winn, Sculpting The History of The Arts

Not many, in fact, only a few in the world, are honored with the prestigious title of ‘Sir.’ Sir Daniel Winn is one of them! On top of raising funds for non-profit aid in the US and Asia, he has created an art empire on his own where his work has been featured at esteemed exhibitions worldwide and even founded one of the most prestigious art galleries in Beverly Hills, Winn Slavin Fine Art. Now, despite the harsh times caused by the pandemic, his passion and determination are leading him to open another art gallery on Rodeo Drive. Sir Daniel has quite a career, and, we think, his story will inspire you to chase after your own dreams. We’re excited to share our exclusive interview with Sir Daniel on his journey in conquering both the world of arts and business.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 33, Most PopularRachel LaiJune 9, 2021artist, sculptor, philanthropy, Art, curator, career, doctor, advocacy, advocate, positivity, anti-hate, EnglandComment

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

Cover: Beau Dunn - Art Heals

The glitz and glamor of a glowing neon sign can draw one’s eye from miles away. Artist Beau Dunn is an expert in the neon medium and her tongue-in-cheek approach to art provides commentary on society in glowing and irresistible tubes of color. A well-known portion of Dunn’s repertoire is comprised of sculptures made out of intricately thin neon letters, with phrases like “NEED MORE MONEY FOR BIRKIN” or “NEED MORE MONEY FOR REAL ESTATE.” The series is the epitome of advertising, capitalism, indulgence, and luxury. Dunn’s newest series, “Next Generation” continues her work in neon sculptures. With updated phrases like “NEED MORE MONEY FOR TOILET PAPER” and “NEED MORE MONEY FOR FACE MASKS,” Dunn truly shows the irony and truth of the shift we all experienced this year when essentials turned into commodities. On top of on-point social commentary, “Next Generation” is also in collaboration with eBay for Charity, with a portion of all proceeds benefiting UNICEF USA’s COVID-relief efforts and help provide front-line responders and families in need with resources to keep children healthy and safe during the pandemic. Beau Dunn’s art shows us that art not only inspires, art heals.

Outside of the studio and gallery, Dunn tends to spend most of her time with animals. She was recently named Global Ambassador of Road Dogs & Rescue a non-profit that rescues bulldog breeds, medical dogs, seniors, and special needs puppies. She has always had such a big heart for animals and now gets to help dogs who need a little extra love and attention. Beau is also on the board of The Sanctuary At Soledad, where she is pictured in our cover photos! To read more about Beau’s life as an artist and learn more about her work in animal advocacy in our exclusive interview below.

Lance Alexander's Start As A Young Comedian

Meet Lance Alexander, a fourteen-year-old comedian who is living his dream by bringing smiles to others as an actor and volunteer. The rising star got his start in comedy when discovered at the age of 12. Moving from West Chester Ohio to Los Angeles as a young teen, Lance’s humorous personality and dedication to his craft helped in land roles on Raven’s Home and Teachers. Now, Lance plays Elvis Maybury, a lovable teen with a big heart on Netflix’s award-winning comedy, Family Reunion — his biggest role yet. When he isn’t preparing for behind-the-camera work, Lance spends time at Best Buddies, the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We speak to Lance about his role on Family Reunion, his work at Best Buddies, and comedy’s place in our current social reality. Read our interview with Lance to learn just how fluent in comedy this teen-wonder really is and where he’s going next.

Amy White - Mediumship In The Modern Age

The ability to help others in times of personal crisis or intense grief is a valuable and deeply human skillset, and it’s one that Amy White has turned into her career. As an intuitive medium, Amy uses her innate gifts of interpreting energies and reaching out into the unseen to help others through their lowest points and to find peace in the midst of loss. Her family’s journey with her son’s suicide attempt prompted Amy to write her new book, Closer to Paradise: A Mother's Journey through Crisis and Healing, which sheds light on navigating mental health crises to help others who are going through similar trauma. Amy shares her outlook on how modern mediums can help others not only to survive but to thrive, in times of crisis. Read our interview with Amy to find out more about how she has opened herself up to the Universe on her path to mediumship and how she has used her gifts to help others along the way.