Sunday News Roundup

Aph Ko and Christopher Sebastian McJetters Interviewed by ARZone

In preparation for the UK's first ever Pro-Intersectional vegan conference, ARZone (hosted by Carolyn Bailey and Dr. Roger Yates) is featuring a series of interviews with activists who will speaking at the conference. The series asks activists what intersectionality means to them. To listen to Sebastian's interview, click HERE. To listen to Aph's interview, click HERE. 

Black Vegans at Animal Rights Conference 2016

The Animal Rights Conference recently took place in Los Angeles, CA. Check out David Carter's photo featuring some prominent vegans of color who attended. 

VegNews Vegan Cruise Giveaway 

To celebrate reaching 500k likes on Facebook, VegNews is giving away a vegan cruise for two! Read more HERE. 

Williams Sisters Win Wimbledon Doubles Final

The Williams sisters won their 6th Wimbledon Doubles Title. Some folks don't know that Venus Williams is actually a raw vegan. McCarton Ackerman writes:

"Competing in only their third tournament together since the 2014 US Open, Venus and Serena rallied from a break down by going on a four-game run to capture the opening set."

'A Privileged Vegan' Features Samantha Bailey

Samantha Bailey talks about how she worked with her community to create an African-centered vegan homeschool out of her living room in Brooklyn.

Sistah Vegan Anthology Volume II--Call For Papers

Dr. Breeze Harper will be organizing and editing a sequel to Sistah Vegan! She is seeking Black identified vegan women who employ tenets of ahimsa-based veganism through intersectional justice. She is accepting critical essays, poems, or narratives of no more than 6000 words. Read more about the guidelines and deadlines HERE. 

New Black-Owned Vegan Restaurant Opens up In Louisville, KY

NOLAFARE is a new vegan, organic, gluten-free, soy-free restaurant founded by Adriena Dame and Julia Crittendon. Check it out HERE. 

FEATURE: Nai Davina

Nai Davina co-runs Back 2 Roots which is an organization where she teaches young people to accept and love themselves through arts, travel, media and culture, highlighting the positive aspects of our history. She is also a registered and certified yoga teacher and astrology consultant, assisting others on their journey to self evolution. She is based in Manchester, England.   

My name is Nai (Naomi) and becoming vegan? Well that was a journey, a very isolating but super rewarding one. Being a dancer/teacher at the time and understanding the importance of what was going on in my body should have been the main reason for this revolutionary movement taking place inside me. But it wasn’t.

It all started on a trip to Egypt. I was reading a book at the time which spoke on particular foods that are harmful to people from black and ethnic backgrounds, and also discussed the principles of a yogic lifestyle, something i was very attracted to since one of my passions was to become a yoga teacher and to incorporate what I do with young people and my peers into my daily work regime, organically. My mother became really ill from a young age and watching her experience made me even more health conscious. Between the knowledge I gained as well as being on such an amazing highly energetic part of the earth, I had a light bulb moment.

Although it was a physical, mental, and spiritual transition, I found something in my later stages that made this transition very easy for me. The effects it was having on our globe, the state of the food industry and the impacts of what was taking place in these slaughter houses helped me to become vegan.

I planned to cut meat out of my diet for one week which was more for a cleansing exercise I was doing. Nine years later and I’m proudly writing this for Black Vegans Rock!

What a liberating feeling it is to let go of something I knew was no good for me and that everyone was telling me was just a phase. A couple months into my transition the questioning started, and yet I was aware that these questions and statements made no sense but at the time they were questions I didn’t confidently have answers to. All I knew was that it felt as though there was a switch in me that permanently went off...almost like it wasn’t even my call. All urges and cravings for meat, chicken, fish, dairy and even sugar disappeared. I stepped into a new world and my whole perspective on life changed.

I’ve made room in my body and life and the energy I embody is super charged. My body is in its natural flow. The bounce in my step has way more spring than before, my nervous system makes sure my immunity is on point and them skin issues, well they packed up and left.

My kitchen and I became best friends. I love creating dishes that leave an essence of compete satisfaction. No meat necessary! Even Grandma loves a nice Vegan Caribbean Saturday Soup every now and again.
 

Here is a video from Nai's organization "Back 2 Roots":

FEATURE: Adrienne Doggan

Being vegan was something I never thought I would even imagine adjusting to, let alone including in my social media bios to describe myself. But let me say it has been an amazing and life-changing learning experience! My vegan journey began when my mother suggested the lifestyle about 5 years ago when I was a senior in high school.

We would watch the depressingly horrific documentaries about slaughterhouses as well as the one about how fast food makes your health decline. We attempted to try veganism and failed a few times over the years. Then, after we put all of our research together from articles and books and various vegan documentaries, we realized it wasn't so difficult and the transition was necessary for our life's longevity. We just decided to "be about it" and stop just talking about it.

My mother and I have been vegan since February 2015, so we're newbies in the game. I've gained so many cooking skills! Vegan life will require lots of smart grocery shopping and cooking, I will say that. It's fun trying all the different vegetables and spices with all this vegan food that is new to my diet. I originally decided to go vegan because I wanted to lose weight consistently and maintain it. But that quickly became less and less of my inspiration after learning about all the health benefits and environmental benefits as well. One thing I can say for any aspiring vegan is to just do it! Anything in life becomes more simple after you attempt to do it, so just do it! 

LINKS

Blog website: http://adrienneislove.com 

Nominate an Unsung Vegan Hero

The Pollination Project is making ten awards of $1000 each to Unsung Vegan Heroes.

The Lisa Shapiro Award recognizes the quiet superheroes of our movement: people who work humbly behind the scenes, creating a world where animals do not suffer at the hands of humans. The Pollination Project gives no-strings-attached awards of $1000 each to ten unsung vegan heroes, selected by a diverse team of animal rights and vegan activists, movement leaders, authors and entrepreneurs. Winners also receive a $100 donation made in their honor to any animal charity of their choice, as well as cross promotion in the Huffington Post and Our Hen House.

Nominations close August 12th. To learn more about the guidelines surrounding the nomination process, click HERE. 

Dr. Breeze Harper was one of the winners last year. Click HERE to read about previous winners. 

FEATURE: Elliot Lyons

Photo Credit: Jeroen Moerdijk

Elliot Lyons is a copywriter and editor, as well as a contributor for VEGAN magazine. He is originally from the U.S. but currently lives in the Netherlands. We are sharing an excerpt from his article "Veganism's Race Problem" and below that, you can find our exclusive interview with him. 

Veganism's Race Problem

by: Elliot Lyons

*The Dutch translation for this story in Vegan Magazine can be found here.  

When I was asked to write about veganism within the black community as the new columnist for Vegan Magazine, I was both excited and apprehensive. It’s nice to talk about veganism in black communities, but the magazine’s mostly white readership gave me pause. Understanding veganism and black communities has a prerequisite of understanding the racial politics of white privilege, legacies of slavery, and oppression.

Since an article like this might be easily misunderstood by an audience unfamiliar with these topics, I decided to focus on giving accounts of these issues and mechanisms using my background and experiences as an American, middle class, college-educated black male to illuminate why mainstream veganism isn’t as accessible to black communities as it could be. Having said that, I do not intend to speak for all black communities; rather, illustrate some of the forces that play roles in our relationships to veganism.

You can read the FULL article HERE. 

Photo Credit: Jeroen Moerdijk

Black vegans rock interview with Elliot:

BVR: What has your vegan journey been like so far?

E: Pretty anticlimactic, actually. I was a vegetarian for nine years, but when I went on my first date with my current girlfriend she mentioned she was a vegan. Although I never thought I would become a vegan - because it always seemed too extreme - something "clicked": the same reasons I had for becoming a vegetarian were the exact same as why I should be a vegan. I was a vegetarian for environmental reasons - raising animals for meat was a huge waste of resources and an enormous burden on our planet. But so was consuming dairy. She didn't say much during our conversation - I usually talk a lot - and we didn't talk about it on any of our other dates. But two or so weeks after we first met, I decided I'd stop thinking about it and just do it. 

BVR: How did your friends and family react when you decided to become vegan? 

E: My mom wasn't too happy with the vegetarian thing at first - for, like, a real quick minute - but then she came around and she's a Jedi with cooking vegetarian now. She wasn't surprised by me being a vegan, and she totally got it. My dad took the vegetarian thing pretty well - the same with veganism. Both were pretty interested - in a good way - with how I substituted stuff. The rest of the fam was mad cool about it too - I have an aunt who's tried to become vegan a bunch of times - she's awesome! Shout out Aunt Cookie! I'm blessed up. 

All of my friends were all cool with it, save a couple of people, even if they didn't quite get it. I'm pretty blessed-up here as well. 

BVR: What advice do you have for black people who say that veganism is a "white" thing? 

E; You mean, besides reading stuff on your website?! It isn't a white thing, but the focus is on white people. We black vegans, though, are out here and becoming vegan doesn't mean you need to exclusively shop at Whole Foods and drink wheatgrass smoothies. I'd also say look up famous black vegans like Angela Davis, Coretta Scott King, Venus Williams, Waka Flocka, Erykah Badu, Mike Tyson, and RZA. 

FEATURE: Ashley Amanda

Hello, my name is Ashley Amanda also know as the “Crazy Urban Vegan." 14 years ago I knew I was meant to live a life free of meat. On my journey I spent 10 years as a vegetarian. Since I was a kid I had always had an issue with eating animals. During a decade of living meat-free I wanted to completely transition to veganism for health reasons along with my ethical beliefs.

It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I knew that veganism would be a life that I would live forever. I have now been vegan for 3 years. Since making the change I got to my natural weight shedding over 45 lbs. and I have been able to maintain it without counting calories, my skin cleared, my energy increased, and I felt mental clarity. Living as a vegan and helping people make the transition brings fullness and joy to my life. Making the decision to live a vegan lifestyle is a mental choice. Just like anything that has major benefits it takes discipline, work, dedication, passion, and research. I’m enjoying life eating clean and living vegan fabulous!

I named my company Crazy Urban Vegan because I am head over heels forever "crazy" in love and devoted to my vegan lifestyle. While I'm aware that "crazy" can be used as an ableist slur, it also means extremely enthusiastic. For example: I am "crazy" about kale! Synonyms: passionate about, (very) keen on, enamored of, infatuated with, smitten with, devoted to. 

I am an ethical vegan because I have a general issue with eating animals. I have felt that way since I was a very young kid. I believe that all animals should live, not just the ones that are easily domesticated. Animals have children, feelings, emotions and senses. I love all life. Animals are here to enjoy the earth with us. 

FOLLOW ASHLEY HERE:

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/crazyurbanvegan/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/crazyurbanvegan/

Twitter- https://twitter.com/crazyurbanvegan

Website- http://www.crazyurbanvegan.com/ 

FEATURE: Letitia Richards

Peace of Food was founded by Letitia Richards in 2010 as a platform to educate and support those who are seeking holistic healing through a vegan, vegetarian, or raw lifestyle. Witnessing loved ones being affected by lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure ignited a change in Letitia. She wanted to prevent this from ever happening to her so she started researching the connection between diet and disease. That was just the beginning of her wellness journey.

Growing up, Letitia ate anything from McDonalds, to fried chicken, to all types of processed foods. The thought of eliminating animal products from her diet was never even a thought. But more and more research pointed to the harsh effects of animal products on the body. Letitia decided to give a plant-based diet a try by eliminating things from her diet slowly. She eliminated meat first and continued consuming dairy and seafood. As she researched the dairy and seafood industry, she came to the conclusion that it would be best to eliminate all animal products from her diet. It definitely wasn't easy. 

Finding new ways to cook vegetables and grains that she never tasted in her life was a struggle, not to mention the lack of support. Being a black woman and going vegan was in some ways an oxymoron. She heard everything from "You're going to lose all of your curves and be so skinny!" to "Being vegan is for white people." Those comments made her question herself and rethink if she was making the right decision. She kept on going on her path to wellness and nothing was going to stop her. Becoming vegan made her feel amazing! Having a healthier diet gave her more mental clarity and helped her see that the food we consume is not only connected to our physical body, but to our mind and soul. 

The benefits definitely outweighed missing the taste of meat or dairy. As time went on, being vegan became second nature. Cooking, shopping, eating out and social gatherings were no longer awkward experiences for her. Letitia also decided to go back to school to become a certified holistic health coach. Her passion in nutrition grew and she wanted to support those who were on the same journey.

Letitia is the founder and creator of Peace of Food Wellness. She is a holistic health coach who helps people make simple transitions to a plant-based diet.

She believes in creating long lasting, sustainable lifestyle changes to heal your mind, body, and soul. She has lead numerous workshops and events around the Boston area and works with clients one-on-one. She resides in the Boston, MA area and enjoys vegan cooking, reading, and traveling. 

 www.peaceoffood.com

www.instagram.com/peaceoffood

www.facebook.com/peaceoffood

www.twitter.com/peaceoffood

 

FEATURE: Conner Speigner

My name is Conner Speigner. My mother named me this on purpose, so that when I would apply for jobs in the future, the assumption would be that I was white or at the very least, male. 

I'm 24 years old, a chef, bookworm, yoga addict and a rockin' Black Vegan! I grew up as one of those that "walked and ate" as they say; I was constantly walking around the house eating something. Usually I would gravitate towards fruits and veggies instead of sweets and meat; even requesting boiled turnips as a treat. 

While carrying me, my mom could ONLY eat FRESH fruit and vegetables. NO MEAT. NO DAIRY. NO SWEETS. NO CANNED FOODS. If she did, she would become incredibly sick! We should have known then, I'd turn out this way.

*FAST FORWARD SOME TIME*
My aunt called one evening saying she was going vegan, to treat her diabetes. She and I have the same birthday and are quite similar people so I trusted that this decision would work! I went vegan overnight. Literally. And I haven't looked back in six years. 

I went vegan for health but now I stand strong that veganism is the answer for serving us as an ECOsystem and not our individual EGOsystems. Every day, I am building upon this vegan lifestyle to reach others and spread the message of a different way and dare I say it, a better way.

I am currently a chef with a focus on teaching healthful options and transitioning classes, giving presentations/lectures on how the African culture has influenced the way Blacks eat today globally (i.e. Soul Food is Slave Food) and being a personal chef in people’s homes. My ultimate goal is to open a holistic wellness center where people can come and unplug, unlearn and unify their body, mind and spirit, embrace fresh and living foods, move their bodies, receive education and allow the toxins of life to be expelled so that they can open themselves up to a higher vibration of awareness.

Social Media Links

YouTube: Conscious With Conner
Facebook: Conner Speigner
Instagram: conreezybeets
Tumblr: http://passporttopangea.tumblr.com/

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