Chelsie Hill - Dance Is Dance

Dancer, Chelsie Hill, could have stopped dancing at 17 when she was involved in a car accident with a drunk driver, leaving her paralyzed. However, even with her world upside down, she found joy, courage, and a way to empower other women. And such was born the Rollettes and the global movement of "Empowering Women with Disabilities to Live Boundlessly and Shift Perspectives Through Dance and Content Creation!" When Chelsie Hill isn’t seen inspiring others with dance, she can be seen staring in the Sundance Channel's award-winning TV show "Push Girls," working on the Be Boundless Campaign and the "We Can Together" campaign, and much more, please keep reading.

Prachedes Indyra GermanoAugust 16, 2022dancer, dance, wheelchair, women's marchComment

COVER - Double Dose Of Dopeness - Aint Afraid

Get a double dose of dopeness with Aint Afraid! Detroit-based Twin sisters Sakinah (Straingth) & Zakiyyah (Wizdumb) Rahman make their presence known through positive and honest messages from their music. Singing since the age of two, both sisters collaborate to share their gift with the world while also showing off some much-needed melanated Muslim representation. Influenced by the likes of Beyoncé and Lauren Hill, you can, without a doubt, admire the R&B and grace in their music and demeanor alike. Although they pull music influences, their fashion is 100% Aint Afraid; Sakinah and Zakiyyah pride themselves on their brilliant and authentic fashion taste, proven by Aint Afraid's sewing skills, one of their many talents picked up during lockdown.

In their latest album, which happens to be their debut, they provide 11 impressive tracks, some titled "Smile Today," "Somebody Loves You," and "Grow,"; All songs showcase their ability to spread harmony with a soulful and fun twist. All music from the album is streamable on Spotify, so Jejune urges you to check it out!

You think Aint Afraid can't get any cooler? Think Again! Sakinah and Zakiyyah are heavy advocates for education in the Gambia and even helped raise funds to build an all-girls school for students. Ain't Afraid uplifts the audience through their music and in their community alike. This is why Jejune is so excited for the sisters to be this month's cover! If you wish to learn more about Aint Afraid's music, their unique stage names, and all the fantastic humanitarian work they have done so far, please continue reading below.

COVER - Pride House LA Is Here To Stay!

Happy Pride Month! June is, without a doubt, the most colorful and unapologetic time of the year. Pride amplifies the LGBTQIA + community’s voice and uplifts the message of “loud and proud” queerness. Why cant it be pride every month?

Speaking of amplifying voices, TikTok has become an important vehicle for the LGBTQIA + community to express themselves. Many gay, non-binary, and gender varying influencers have built meaningful platforms on TikTok; proving it remains a safe place for LGBTQIA + youth and allies.

COVER - Emma Norton Will Dance Her Way Into Your Heart

While TikTok certainly existed before the pandemic, the popular (and might we add addictive) video app became a beloved past time for creators, viewers, and consumers during shelter-in-place. For 16-year-old Emma Norton, TikTok is a place where she can exhibit her mad make-up skills and penchant for entertainment. Her personality is as charismatic as it is authentic, — making Emma a magnet for admiration and attracting over 5.9 million followers on TikTok (and counting!) and over 300 thousand on Instagram. Emma gives us insight on TikToker’s place in speaking out on social issues —a hot and growing topic in 2020— and the positive potential of social media to spread awareness as we move forward into another year with bigger goals for our society and the world at large. We are so excited to share our interview with Emma and we are sure that this TikTok star, actress, and influencer will dance her way into your heart. Please read our exclusive interview with Emma below.

We Need Deep Latinx Storytelling - Chrissie Fit

Chrissie Fit is a star on the horizon of change. Chrissie is known for her work in the Pitch Perfect franchise as “Flo” and she has returned to the big screen in All My Life with Harry Shum Jr. and Jessica Rothe which premiered in theatres on December 4th, When we asked if she was involved in any humanitarian work, Chrissie responded: “I feel like I have my hands in everything!”. After speaking with the Cuban actress, it was easy to see that Chrissie brings a critical and inspirational lens to her work behind the camera and in her everyday life to promote a better and more diverse future. In our interview with Chrissie, she dives deep into what it means to have representation for Latinx communities in Hollywood and beyond. Chrissie talks about the intersectional nature of representation in film and television as well as representation at the polls for Latinx voters in the 2020 election. For more on Chrissie Fit, please read our interview below.

Siaki Sii And Fancy Nancy Fifita: A lineage Of Entertainment And Magnanimity

With an extended family history in entertainment, cousins Siaki Sii and Nancy Fifita, aka Fancy Nancy Fifita, are the newest emerging talent on a path to stardom. The Tonga born teens are accomplished actors, musicians, and dancers, Siaki best known for his role as Owens on ABC's “Blackish” and Nancy as Lacy in the film GILLYMUCK.

Beyond acting, Siaki and Nancy are performers at heart. Nancy co-wrote and recorded her first single "You So Fancy" at age nine, while Siaki gained his highest recognition as a Tahitian dancer, at the age of nine where he won Best Lead-Role Dancer at Tahiti Fete 2012.

In addition to entertainment, volunteering and hospitality is a long running familial value. The teen duo hosted the East Coast Prom and were celebrity guests at the West Coast Prom through Virtual Prom Live. They have assisted with over 300 events to raise money by using her talents to sing, perform or give service hours to scout service projects. Nancy was selected as the United States Ambassador for the Tongan Red Cross. Siaki performs annually for local senior centers since he was five, between Los Angeles and Utah. He also joins his Boys Scouts of America troop annually to place flags at the cemetery for all the fallen heroes. In addition to this, they joined forces to start their own organization, S & N (Siaki and Nancy Serving Those in Need), to give back! To learn more about this incredible family, please read our exclusive interview here.

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

EDITORIAL - Desmond Richardson Inspires With Dance

Famed international dancer, and first African-American principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre, Desmond Richardson talks with Jejune about his career, thoughts towards dance, and upcoming projects. Please click here to learn more about Desmond and his art.

Editorials, zIssue 19Jejune ContributorFebruary 3, 2020dance, Dance, Film, films, African American, Inspiring, inspiration, Art, #artist, art, artist, African American rightsComment

Editorial - Mollee Gray And Jeka Have Forever Love

We are starting off the New Year with love. Mollee Gray has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. She starred as “Giggles” in Disney’s production of Teen Beach Movie and Teen Beach Movie 2, landed the lead role of “Sophie” in the 2019 action film The Reliant, and was even a top 8 finalist in the hit television show So You Think You Can Dance.

Even with her busy acting and dancing schedule, Mollee Gray finds time to work with organizations which are dear to her heart, be a role model to those struggling with body dysphoria, and embraces the challenges and beauty of her marriage with Jeka Jane. Read our exclusive interview to learn more about Molle Gray here.

Pole Dancing for Grandma - By Jennifer Margulis

Pole dancing has gotten a bad wrap over the years, but now it is starting to become a performance art that you can bring your grandmother to! Learn more here, as Jennifer shares her story of bring her grandmother to her dance at Schtick, one of the elite pole dancing shows in New York City.

Vegan Ballerina: Agnes Muljadi

The Vegan Ballerina, Agnes Muljadi is creating a buzz on Instagram!

Reviewed, SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 5Jejune ContributorDecember 10, 2018#vegan, #ballerina, #artist, #ethical, #wellness, #healthy, dance, Dance