RIP Prince

By: Aph Ko

Over the past few days, the musical community has been grieving over the unexpected death of musical icon, Prince. The vegan community has been trying to grapple with this loss as well. I personally struggled with what route to take in regards to celebrating Prince's veganism considering so many animal rights activists messaged me to let me know that they didn't think that he was actually vegan. I hesitated with what to do considering some white animal rights activists make it their life's mission to destroy Black Vegans Rock, and featuring someone who wasn't vegan would give them even more ammunition to use against me. This fear over being attacked for celebrating someone who might not be vegan is something that occurs far too often in this movement, so much so that the conversation surrounding whether or not Prince is vegan has clouded out his legacy, his activism, and his iconic creativity.

I would personally like to celebrate Prince, his music, his life, and his animal rights advocacy. He also broke racialized gender boundaries which should be celebrated as well. Some folks state that he is vegan, others state that he's not, however, I feel like we should celebrate him because of his advocacy regardless. He has influenced many black people to go vegan and that must be remembered.

Here are some lyrics to his song "Animal Kingdom":

No member of the animal kingdom nurses past maturity
No member of the animal kingdom ever did a thing to me
It’s why I don’t eat red meat or white fish
Don’t give me no blue cheese
We’re all members of the animal kingdom
Leave your brothers and sisters in the sea

He is also known for saying, "Compassion is an action word with no boundaries." He was vocal about racial oppression as well as animal oppression, and I am here to celebrate his legacy.

Rest in Peace Prince. #blackvegansrock

FEATURE: Ashley and Taylor Howell

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If someone told us a year ago that we would be vegans we would have laughed.  “ Us, Vegans?” No, we can’t give up meat! Well, we were definitely fooling ourselves for believing that one.

  Our Journey as vegans started January 2015 and has since blossomed into an exceptional lifestyle with no regrets.  We started with little to no knowledge about veganism which made the start of our journey a bit rough and a little challenging. With meat still in our refrigerator we had to figure out our next big challenge. “What to eat!” We later learned about Dr. Sebis Alkaline diet, which gave us a start on what foods were beneficial for our health.  After a month of trying his method we realized that this was much harder than we thought, but we didn't turn back.  We dived deep into learning more and more about the benefits of veganism and became compelled to watch our first documentary Forks over Knives. Once we saw how people were living off of a plant based diet, we knew it was game on.  We than could not stop watching food documentaries as they seem more interesting now then they did in the past. 

With clarity and focus we became driven to eating foods that fueled our cells and nourished our bodies.  Not to mention YouTube helped get us through countless nights when we had no clue on what to cook.  Suddenly we began to crave foods that we’ve never eaten before such as mushrooms, avocados, and mangoes, just to name a few.  We definitely started to notice the change in our bodies and became excited that we were on this journey together.  All of a sudden everyone around us started seeing our results and wanted in.  Now, everyone's inner vegan began to surface all because we were on this journey and made it look so easy.

As for our parents they absolutely could not believe that we had stopped eating meat, but became so proud that there girls where so passionate about being vegans.  As they are our biggest cheerleaders we always try our best to constantly educate them on the benefits of a plant based diet, taking them through baby steps in making a change for the best.

Our goal is not to bombard the world with our new lifestyle but to show how we live and how much fun we have together.  Now the art of cooking as a vegan provides us with so much creativity that we want to soon share with the world our favorite cuisines.  We hope to inspire more Blacks to partake in this “life of luxury.”

Links

Instagram: Thosedamnvegangirls

Facebook: thosedamnvegangirls

Twitter:Damnvegangirls

FEATURE: Asanti Owusu

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Asanti is a 25-year old vegan currently living in Finland, the country where he was born, and he’s also a local of Brussels, Belgium. His father is Ghanaian, his mother is Finnish, and he says, “I am neither and both.”

Asanti is an animal rights and climate change activist. 

Asanti states:

“We are all on this boat together. Regardless of our location, the choices we as individuals make each day affect all the people in the world. For the sake of your health, our environment, and the animals of the world, I ask you ask yourself: What are you paying for? Are you paying for cutting throats, or are you paying for planting seeds? Are you buying our humanity's future, or are you spending it?

The most important thing to me is preserving our planet and its resources by reducing our footprints, and regaining the lost snowy winters I remember from my youth in northern Finland. 

I became a vegan when I was 24. First I became friends with a lovely woman who makes great-tasting food, who loved animals, and could express her opinions in colourful ways. She talked to me about animal rights versus cruelty, and things slowly began to click in my mind. While becoming aware of the ethical aspect of veganism, I still didn't make the change until the night I watched the documentary ‘Cowspiracy'.

'Cowspiracy' changed my life for the better. It was painful to learn that using farm animals was a prominent reason for many global catastrophes, like dying oceans, rainforest destruction, and even world hunger! It also made me see a connection between mass animal agriculture and slavery, which affected my dad's homeland as well. After that night I quit animal products cold turkey and went vegan.

Since then, I've advocated for reducing our consumption of animal products for the sake of both animals and humans alike. I joined the Finnish animal rights group "Oikeutta eläimille" (translated: Justice to Animals) in the fight for justice and the end of mass producing animals for the sake of exploiting them. 

'Oikeutta eläimille' is a grassroots-level animal rights group founded in 1995. We promote vegetarianism and veganism as one good way of influencing the position of animals in society. Our day-to-day actions include lectures, speaking in schools and in public, disseminating flyers and literature, setting up info tables in public places, holding demonstrations, protests, and publicity stunts, plus other activity. Apart from civil disobedience, we operate within the Finnish law.

The most visible parts of our activity are photos and videos taken in intensive farms and slaughterhouses that have also recently been shown on TV to the public. Oikeutta eläimille questions the idea of exploiting animals.Our relationship with animals should be based on reciprocity, instead of the current model of one-way profitability. We all have the ethical responsibility to take these requirements into account. ”

FEATURE: Afya Ibomu

Afya Ibomu is a Holistic Nutritionist, author, the Vice President of RBGFITCLUB.com and has been plant based since 1990. Afya is certified in Holistic Health and holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition. Her fourth book The Vegan Remix was released in 2015 and was named one of the best vegan cookbooks of 2015 by Vegetarian Times Magazine. Afya’s third book the Vegan Soul Food Guide to the Galaxy, was nominated for an African American Literary Award for cookbook of the year. She is also the author of the Get Your Crochet On! pattern book series, that have sold over 30,000 copies. Afya is a celebrity nutritionist and crochet designer working with hip hop artists such as Erykah Badu, Common, Dead Prez and Talib Kweli.

Afya currently conducts cooking demos and classes, teaches nutrition workshops and counsels fitness competitors. She lives in Atlanta with her husband stic of dead prez and their teenage son Itwela and baby Nkosua.

To keep up with what afya is doing, check her out on all social media platforms @afyaibomu

BVR Sunday News Roundup

Black Vegans Rock Featured in Huffington Post

A screenshot from the HuffPost website

A screenshot from the HuffPost website

This past week, Huffington Post Black Voices did a story on Black Vegans Rock and the community that we are building. We were really excited to be featured, especially in the Black Voices section. All too often, veganism is only thought of as a "health" issue rather than an anti-racist politic so we were thrilled! You can find the article HERE. 

Vote for Black Vegans Rock in the VegNews 2016 Bloggy Awards

Can you believe it? We've only been around since January 2016 and we're nominated for the VegNews Bloggy Awards. The good thing is that you can vote for up to 5 of your favorite websites! Here are some other black vegan nominees that you should consider voting for: Aphro-ism, The Sistah Vegan Project, and By Any Greens Necessary. Vote HERE: 

Dr. Breeze Harper to Give Talk at Lawrence University

If you live in the Appleton, WI area, consider attending Dr. Harper's lecture titled, "Uprooting White Fragility: Intersectional Anti-Racism Within the Ethical Foodscape."

WHEN:

Friday, April 22, 2016 from 7:00pm-9:00pm

WHERE:

Warch Campus Center 224 - Esch Hurvis Studio (Esch)

For more information, click HERE. 

Christopher Sebastian McJetters to Speak at VegFest UK Bristol

Christopher's presentation dates and topics are below:

Saturday May 21, 1:00-1:45 pm
 

Allies in Arms: The danger of wearing veganism as an identity. Navigating the difference between true allyship and ally theater. Centering the victims in our activism instead of ourselves. How to avoid the dreaded savior complex in animal rights activism. Why veganism is not synonymous with anti-speciesism. And unpacking that pesky phrase "I am the voice for the voiceless."

Sunday May 22, 4:30-4:55 pm
 

Veganism is easy...except for when it isn't: An honest conversation about circumstances that make veganism a challenge. How to overcome those challenges in order to stay vegan. And creating accessibility to help others embrace veganism as a social justice issue.

Check Out Tracye McQuirter's Talk and Book-Signing Event

Tracye McQuirter and Gwyn Whittaker

Tracye McQuirter and Gwyn Whittaker

In celebration of US VegWeek and Earth Day, join us at GreenFare to learn about Tracye's journey, learn about her book, and enjoy a GreenFare organic, whole plant 4 course dinner of lasagna, soup, salad, and dessert. Price includes the book, lecture, and dinner.

WHEN:

Sunday, April 24, 2016 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (EDT) 

WHERE:

GreenFare - 408 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170

Get tickets HERE.

NYU Panel About Comparing Animal Oppression to Human Slavery

On Friday, April 22nd, Aph Ko, Christopher Sebastian McJetters, and Steve Wise (of the NonHuman Rights Project) will be discussing whether or not it is useful to compare animal oppression to human slavery. You don't want to miss this! The event might also be live-streamed and recorded. Check out more details HERE: 

WHEN:

Friday, April 22, 2016 at 6pm

WHERE:

NYU School of Law, Furman Hall (245 Sullivan Street), Room 216

The 10th Element of Hip Hop Tour Kicks Off on in New York

On April 21st, 2016 in New York, many legends, pioneers and the very people that are at the forefront of the Green Age of Hip Hop will stand united in one mission to officially announce to the world that "Health and Wellness" is the 10th element of Hip Hop culture.

The 10th element of Hip Hop tour will showcase a truly special one of a kind experience that inspires and changes lives, which includes a full Hip Hop Green Dinner, the 10th Element of Hip Hop Speakers Series and a Hip Hop concert in each city reaching more than 35,000 people nationwide. 

Get more information HERE. 

FEATURE: Dr. Ayo Maat

Ayo Maat, Ph.D. balances work or business with community involvement despite economic or disability issues. As a local and national community activist, educator, and organizer, she is the founder, President /CEO of BNICEH (‘be nicer,”), the Black Network In Children’s Emotional Health and IMPRUVE (Independent Movement of Paratransit Riders for Unity, Vehicles, Equality).

With a Ph.D in philosophy, M.S. in Healing from University of Healing and a journalism/art degree with minors in accounting and social science studies at Truman College, she worked there as a tutor in social science and English. She attended Illinois Institute of Technology for computer science and math, took business management training with various corporations, and the Entrepreneurship Training Program with Uptown Hull House.

She is a person who is disabled (PWD), uses a wheelchair, eats organic vegan food, grows an urban organic vegetable garden, rides paratransit, makes handmade jewelry one-­of-­a-­kind, and supports green employment for PWDs, youth, seniors, ex­-offenders, and those with low income. She has lived in Chicago for almost 7 decades.

She is a former Chicago City Colleges and Eduteach teacher, former acting chair of Chicago Together, a computer professional who was the first and only female president of Systems Programmers Society, retired minister, artist/writer, and presented special programs at NorthPoint, Ibeji Resource Center, Probation Challenge, United Church of Rogers Park, Truman College, New Concept School, public libraries, and Insight Arts. She taught at Malcolm X and Central YMCA Colleges, Control Data Institute and Eduteach;was a certified IL substitute teacher. She co-­led family literacy programs, ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs) prevention programs, back to school music fests, and no smoking video-documentaries.

She produced the only National Black Mental Health Forum in Chicago in February 1993, worked with youth to deter them from shoplifting and joining gangs, and ran a tobacco public awareness campaign in 2006 (billboards on public transit) for one year. Her experience comes from early involvement in the civil rights movement from age 16, paralegal training at Uptown People’s Law School, accessible housing law training by John Marshall Law School, a 14­ day community organizing fellowship at Advocacy Institute in Washington DC in 1993 by former FCC chair Mike Pertschuk, 14 weeks of community organizing training at Hope Leadership Institute with then State Senator Barack Obama, one of her instructors, and two days of community/political advocacy training in 2009 by Wellstone Action and 1Sky.

She was awarded for her work in social and economic justice and disability rights as a local Every Day Hero on October 7, 2016. She was also awarded the Toby Prinz­Dovie Thurman award by NorthSide Action for Justice (NA4J), the (female) Role Model of the Year by Ibeji Resource Center in February 2015, Black Woman of the Year for Community Organizing in Media by Woman to Woman February 2012, and the Spirit of Volunteerism award by Rogers Park Community Council in 2003.

She is currently running as a delegate for Bernie Sanders in the March 15, 2016 primary in the 9th IL Congressional District.

BVR Interview: Methuzulah Gem

BVR: What was your life like before you went vegan and what prompted you to become vegan?

MG: Chaos. I was eating all wrong. Too much meat. Too much dairy. Plus, I was still doing white sugar and flour. I was 245 pounds and am now down to 165 pounds. My primary reason for my vegan lifestyle shift was making sure my youngest son named Nasir would be able to live free and have better opportunities than me, his mother, brother, and sister. I figured food was the foundation to make that come into fruition and slowly started the journey.

BVR: You say that you're a plant-based farm-to-table style chef? Could you describe that further for our audience?

MG: My primary style of cooking is Plant Based, Farm-to-Table. I prepare all dishes totally free of meat, dairy, eggs and any other animal products while focusing on harvesting the freshest organic fruits & vegetables from my garden and/or other local community Farmers, Gardeners, Agriculturalists and Markets to prepare my dishes.

BVR: You work for an organization called The J Dilla Foundation. Could you describe what that foundation is about and what your role is in it?

MG: The James Dewitt Yancey Foundation which is also known as The J Dilla Foundation is a non-profit organization created in the memory of the Hip-Hop's own legendary emcee & producer J Dilla. The primary mission of the foundation is to enhance and develop urban music programs in less fortunate communities and inner city situations. I am the Youth Program Director for Atlanta's chapter. I focus on planning and coordinating events such as workshops, panel discussions, speaker series, book bag drives, youth days etc ...

BVR: You're going to be going on the 10th Element of Hip Hop Health and Wellness Tour organized by Keith Tucker. Could you describe a little about that tour and what you're going to be doing in it?

MG: The 10th Element of Hip-Hop Tour is a tour which will travel to 15 cities nationwide promoting and focusing on Health, Wellness & Hip-Hop via concerts, panel discussions, demonstrations, workshops and pop-up green dinners. I am one of the performing artists and speakers on the tour

 

BVR: What advice would you give to black folks who want to go vegan (or are interested in it) but think it's a "white person's" thing? 

MG:  I would say ...

    1. "Do the Research".

    2. "Please do not Assume"

    3. "Sickness is Color Blind"

    4. "Disease does not Discriminate  

    5. "He who controls the Food, Controls the World". 

FEATURE: Khaleeqa L. Rouse

Khaleeqa is on a mission to help busy people find their signature healthy lifestyle!

Khaleeqa Rouse has had quite the journey to health. Founder of Paparoxi, a brand that encourages people to find their authentic healthy voice, Khaleeqa has motivated thousands of people to change their lives and find health. Khaleeqa understands the frustrations and failures of over-scheduled people when it comes to maintaining health. She was once on the brink of a health catastrophe. As a stock broker, MBA graduate and entrepreneur, Khaleeqa's health suffered greatly early in her professional carer. 

 However, her life turned around when she discovered the power of faith, whole foods, and endurance sports. She plans to inspire the world to drop the fad diets, quick weight loss tricks and fitness crazes and become authentically fit for life. 

As an executive director for a thriving non-profit school, Khaleeqa has become an expert at remaining healthy while juggling a full time schedule. In her role as executive director, she has transformed the health of an urban community. Khaleeqa has started a community vegetable garden, implemented employee health initiatives, started programs for families to get access to healthier food; presented cooking demonstrations and enacted pre-k curriculum geared toward hands-on-healthy eating and fitness education. She has also partnered with local government and health advocacy groups to bring about healthy change to underserved populations. 

Khaleeqa's thriving online community has allowed her to share simple fresh recipes; inspirational videos and thought provoking articles on how everyday people can change their lives for good. In 2014, Khaleeqa completed Ironman Lake Placid, a race which consists of a 2.5 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run in under 17 hours. She's went on to embrace a lifestyle of mostly raw fruits and vegetables which has afforded her freedom, energy, and profound health. 

Khaleeqa has been featured on multiple media outlets such as NBC News, Black Enterprise, The Rachel Ray Show, and Essence. Her story of faith, authentic hard work and change has resonated with audiences across America.

Khaleeqa's presentations are driven by the idea that health and fitness is not one size fits all; and that everyone must find their signature healthy voice. Her talks inspire and encourage crowds to discover what their healthy lifestyle may look like. Whether it's running a marathon, trying a juice cleanse or starting a garden, Khaleeqa wants audiences to get outside of their comfort zone and live in the unchartered waters of health authenticity. 

Khaleeqa is driven to serve and educate people because she remembers her life before she found health: the great burden she carried of stress, depression and low self-esteem. She knows what its like to go through a storm and come out victorious! Khaleeqa wants busy people everywhere to take up their healthy sword and fight for their lives. 

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