Jaime Adler - Young Actress and Advocate for Children's Care

Jaime Adler, the Valedictorian, actress, and role model makes her presence known on and off the screen. As a recent graduate, Jaime shares her hopes for the future as well as the importance of her charity work with California Kids Belong and St. Judes Children’s Hospital. Jejune got the chance to talk with Jaime about her role in the new supernatural thriller, Karma’s A Bitch, and some insight about her character Chloe. Keep reading to learn more about how Jaime’s acting career got started and where it will take her.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 48Elizabeth ShepherdMay 1, 2023actress, charity, children, foster care, cancer research, studentComment

Nadine Gagne - Sounds of Change

Art, zIssue 46, Editor's Pick, Most PopularJessica MoraDecember 12, 2022#singer, children, indigenous artists, indigenous, orange shirt day, music artist, musician, #kids

Lauren Buglioli Will Keep You Tuned In

Actress Lauren Buglioli is professionally dramatic. In addition to her being a talented actress, Lauren has a degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, which she uses to help improve the lives of children — coaching and teaching kids in acting and working with special needs children. When she isn’t busy working hard, she is being a voice for self-love and body positivity in the industry and on social media, sharing her own struggles with unrealistic body expectations that we placed on her at a young age. Please read on to learn more about Lauren and how she uses her talents for good.

Bonnie Wallace Is Helping The World Read

Bonnie Wallace is more than a celebrity mother. She is an amazing author and podcaster, but her latest adventure is is the creation of We Can Books. In true humanitarian and author style, she believes in giving back to society in the form of individually tailored books that help children learn how to read through personal familiarity. Please read below as Bonnie walks us through her brainchild, We Can Books, as we learn more about the importance of education at all ages.

SWAC: Influencer, Editor's Pick, zIssue 45Jejeune MagazineOctober 17, 2022blogging, magazine, Motherhood, Mother, dove cameron, teacher, books, phonetics, childrenComment

Akilah Newton Is A Big Dreamer

Akilah Newton has a dream to have all kids have access to the arts, at least in Montreal, and she is making it happen through her organization Overture with the Arts (OWTA). OWTA offers inexpensive or free education in music, dance, drama and vocal training to children. In addition to this, Akilah has released an inspiring book series “Big Dreamers”, which helps to educate Canadians about their own Black history. With most education systems in Canada focusing a heavy emphasis on American Black History rather than Canadian, Akilah has been inspired to help highlight notable Black Canadians to help educate the youth about their own history. Again, Akilah is stepping up to the plate to help! To learn more about this incredible woman and her many endeavors, please read our exclusive interview below.

Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids

Shopping for eco-friendly kids toys has proven to be a challenge. That is why we have compiled a list of environmentally and socially responsible kids toys just in time for the holiday season! Below you will find toys, books, and DIY kits for kids of all ages. Want to support wilderness preservation and give a plush toy while doing so? Check out The World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Symbolic Species Adoption Kits. Or get the whole family matching holiday pajamas for only $25 at Hanna Andersson’s sustainable clothing brand. The playtime possibilities are endless, read on to find the toys that are best fit for your child!

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!

Courtney Starks: The Real Life Iron Man

Courtney Starks is making impactful changes with words! We mean literally. Starks is a millennial motivational speaker who shares his testimony of overcoming and inspires his audience through topics that affect millennials today. He is the real-life Iron Man, rising as a kidney failure survivor and using his own strength to help his community. His power is a cause of celebration from recently giving his 100th lunch during his "Lunch on Me" initiative for Women's History Month to hosting a holiday giveaway for kids in need. Check out our exclusive interview with Starks on his incredible journey in giving back to his community and changing lives through words.

Di Wav - The Light In The Dark

“Levantar” can mean to “rise up” in Spanish, and that is what Daniela Carpacio Fischer —alias Di Wav— is doing as one of the most unique Latin American artists on the scene. The Guatemalan-Swiss alternative singer finds inspiration in her identity, her love for dark, atmospheric aesthetics, and most recently, the British electronic band Depeche Mode. Her latest EP, Despierta, is an homage to "Depeche Mode. But make no mistake, Despierta is authentic Di Wav. The singer is true to roots, stretching beyond her music. Di Wav talked with Jejune about how she found her style, making music, and her ambassadorship for Save the Children Guatemala. To learn more about Di Wav, continue reading!

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 31Jejune ContributorApril 29, 2021singer, alternative, indie, latina, latinx, children, youth, poverty, #identityComment

Christi Lukasiak: Love And The Business of Motherhood

Christi Lukasiak of “Dance Moms” promptly garnered attention due to her sharp, comedic sensibilities on the hit series. Over the span of seven seasons, her intriguing familial interactions have garnered over two million followers on Instagram alone. Having progressed beyond reality television, Christi now shares glimpses of her daily life to her fans. Whether it be business, favorites, or the everyday aspects of motherhood, her posts accumulate a massive amount of views.

In addition, Christi is a member of YourMomCares – an initiative of celebrity and influencer moms banding together with other moms across America to focus on ensuring all children have access to the resources needed to be mentally well, including receiving diagnoses, treatments, services and activities which serve their needs. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Christi Lukasiak.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 25Jejune ContributorAugust 19, 2020#influencer, mental health, motherhood, health, #healh, #health, dance, Dance, celebrity, childrenComment

Trope Explores Truth On Eleutheromania

When one usually thinks of the rock scene in LA, bands like Guns N’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mötley Crüe, etc., mid 80s, glam rock, metal, and “Sex, Drugs, and Rock N’ Roll”, famously coined by British musician Ian Dury, come to mind. The impact of these words could be felt far across the ocean, and would eventually become a lifestyle rockstars would live by, and were revered for. It built a larger than life image that would come to define an era of music and culture.

The modern depiction of rock fails to conjure any real notable tropes. Good or bad, no matter how the genre shifts, individual bands are now dissected on a case by case basis, devoid of stereotypes. Trope is an alternative progressive/rock band located in Los Angeles. Formed in 2016, lead singer Diana Studenberg’s vocals help create their dark aura and introspective angst. Tropes debut album, Eleutheromania, expands on the ideas on truth, human behavior, and our ability to navigate through life challenges with faith in mankind. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about Trope.

Preserving the arts with Tafari Anthony

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

Kate Drummond Challenges the Status Quo

Kate Drummond refuses to be cast or defined by any mold. A former elementary school teacher turned actress, writer, and producer conveys reinventing one's self is always an option.

Kate is currently starring in the new Hulu original series Utopia Falls, a coming of age story following a group of teens in the distant future colony of New Babyl as they uncover an ancient forbidden archive of historical, cultural and musical relics.

Kate’s other passion lies in her philanthropy work where she supports causes close to her heart, including The Snoopi Project, Playa Animal Rescue, DIBS (Dogs in Better Spots), Canadian Horse Defense Coalition (CHDC), KidSport Ontario and Bytowne Association for Rescued Kanines (BARK). Recently, Kate teamed up with The Children’s Miracle Network and SickKids Foundation, raising over $10,000 in just over a week, through her social media platforms. Please read on for our exclusive interview with Kate to learn more about her work.

Chen Tang Learns From His Childhood

Actor, Chen Tang was born in Kobe, Japan and is of Chinese ancestry. As Chinese citizen and US Permanent Resident, and fluent in both Mandarin and English - he is a picturesque embodiment of homogeny and uniqueness. As far as acting goes, Chen is set to start in Walt Disney Studios' highly anticipated film “Mulan.” It is a live action version of the 1998 classic Disney animated film with the 2020 version drawing a lot more inspiration from the original Chinese fable "The Ballad of Mulan.” Chen will also appear in Bruce Lee Entertainment and Cinemax series "Warrior” later this year.

In addition, he is dedicated to giving back to his community and environmental preservation. He has partnered with the Cambodian Children’s Fund and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn about Chen Tang and his work.

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.

Valery Ortiz: The Language And Heritage Of The Puerto Rican Experience

Fresh off the back of her new Disney Channel show, “Gabby Duran and the Unsittables”, Valery Ortiz released her new children’s book ‘COQUÍ’. COQUÍ explores and celebrates themes of diversity and inclusion; conflating concepts of her real life experiences personified.

With Valery’s Puerto Rican heritage at the forefront, she promotes the celebration of individualism and self love. Varley’s notable works don’t stop there. She is also active with the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital and Special Needs Network, Inc. for Autistic Kids. To learn more about Valery Ortiz and her work, please read our exclusive interview here.

TONA Paints Everywhere

Street art is powerful for so many reasons, it completely changes its surroundings, it is undeniable, and it is free. A street artist can do whatever he or she wants. They put their message out for the world and the world cannot do anything about it buy see it, well, and maybe paint over it.. But there is a lot of power to this freedom. TONA takes advantage of this with his powerful paintings of children that he has painted all over the world and his partnership with Viva con Agua. Please read Jejune’s exclusive interview here.

Art, Reviewed, zIssue 14Jejeune MagazineSeptember 16, 2019Art, street art, paintings, children, clean water, sustainable, water is life, human right, human rightsComment

Emma Neagu Inspires Hope - Photography and Words by Li Chen

Emma was told by the doctors that they can attempt to salvage her leg, but even if successful, it would result in limited mobility. This would mean she will never be able to dance or do gymnastics again.