FEATURE: Rashodd Tarail

Once I began meditating, veganism came naturally. I mean, one doesn’t have to research too deeply to find the health risks correlated with meat rich diets and those of African descent. But after thorough research and investigation, the devouring of books, essays, and articles, it was obvious to me that veganism was not only a beneficial diet, but a key component to the overall well being of humanity, the animal kingdom, and life in general. Whether you look at it scientifically as did Einstein and Tesla (The Problem of increasing Human Energy) or whether you look at it ethically, as say a Coretta Scott King, you cannot honestly make the argument against the planetary benefits of plant-based diets on the whole. You may not like it, but let's be truthful.

I have been vegan for 6 years now and long story short I credit my switch to mediation and a lot of reading. Even though I had abstained from eating beef and pork for 10 years prior to going vegan, I was still eating
small amounts of turkey, chicken and fish. In hindsight, it was a few years after reading Do You by Russell Simmons and looking very deeply into more spiritual practices that veganism dawned on me. For beginners, I
think meditation helps deal with the scrutiny one faces from one’s peers, ultimately phasing it out...but experiences are subjective. As I continue my vegan journey, I am now stepping into a new creative phase. I am now developing a few photography projects focused on African Diasporic veganism; the first being a 13 x 9 print available through
my online shop aboyandphysics.co.

Social Media

Website: aboyandphysics.co
Twitter: twitter.com/aboyandphysics

FEATURE: Zatiti Ema

Going vegan in the 80's was about not following our former slave master and his diet.  It was about liberation of our minds, bodies and souls.  It was about taking a stand against racism and all the casualties that have been inflicted upon our people through oppression and the former plantation culinary teachings of eating garbage in order to survive.  Those foods would later be known as soul food. 

This diabolical tactic of eating what is not edible would become mainstream for our race in America.  Pigs feet, intestines, skin and all the other parts of the animal were used to feed our people.  Our mothers did their best to make it palatable.  Yet this is not food made for human consumption.  It is slave food, used to maintain a system that did not have our interests at heart.

Going vegan is about showing the rest of the African family what is possible.  Going vegan is about a rise in consciousness.  Going vegan is about being natural again- shunning chemical and artificial edibles that masquerade as food.  Going vegan is about being Malcolm, Martin and Harriet Tubman in the store, activists in the kitchen and at the table. Going vegan is about staying healthy and strong.  Going vegan is about the resources of our planet and the animals. Going vegan is another form of African Liberation, cause African/Black lives rock!  

I can be reached on Facebook @RBGandVegan and Amazon.

Special Discount for BVR Audience

Zatiti is giving BVR readers a discount on her book Our Journey: Red Black Green and Vegan. For one week, you can get her book at a discounted price of $23.99.

Also check out her newest children's book on Kindle for $4.99 titled What's In Your Lunch Box?: Vegan Kids Guide For A Healthy Compassionate Planet. 

BVR Interview with Grey

Ever since his Thanksvegan rap and video went viral, people all over the internet have been talking about Grey. Aph Ko had the chance of interviewing him about his perspectives on veganism, anti-racism, and that incredible Thanksvegan video. 

BVR: When did you first hear about the vegan diet, and when did you decide that it was right for you?

G: My girl introduced me to it. She wanted to transition into a plant based diet and started introducing meals to me. By the third meal I was convinced. She kicked the knowledge out to me while serving delicious dishes. "You mean to tell me this isn't meat, it's much healthier for me, and it's easy to make?..sign me up."

BVR: How did your friends and family react to your decision to go vegan?

G: I guess they couldn't believe that I would give up meat at first. However, as time went on, they saw I was serious and they supported it.

BVR: When you created your Thanksvegan rap, did you know it would be such a big hit? What was your inspiration for making it? What was it like to make a video for the song?

G: Not at all. I didn't even like the video to be honest. I almost deleted it. I saw the original video on Instagram and instantly loved the beat. I couldn't stop playing it. I told myself I have to spit something on this. I normally do freestyles in the car every Friday using the hashtag #GreyCantFreestyle So this was just another freestyle. I knew something was different about an hour after I posted it when i received way more likes and comments than usual. Once it went viral, I told myself I have to write a 2nd verse and we have to shoot a video for it ASAP.  The video was a lot of fun.

BVR: Can you tell me a little bit more about your politics? Like, how do you see your vegan diet intersecting with issues like anti-racism or animal rights?

G: Well I'm fairly new to the plant based community; 8 months to be exact, so I'm still learning a lot everyday. I read and watch various documentaries which gives me insight and raises my awareness on the food that we eat. I'm definitely an advocate for animal rights and human rights. To me, food is similar to music in a way that it brings everyone together from all walks of life. That's a beautiful thing. As far as racism, vegetables sees no color. Everyone from every background can enjoy a healthy lifestyle with just a little bit of knowledge.  

BVR: There are still a lot of black folks who reject veganism and plant-based eating because they think it's a "white person's" thing. This, in part, inspired me back in 2015 to create the first article that listed 100 Black Vegans to dispel the stereotype that veganism wasn't for them. (That list became the inspiration for my current website Black Vegans Rock). What advice do you have for some black folks who still say that veganism or plant-based eating is a "white person's thing?"

G: I tell people all the time that its just a lack of knowledge. There's just a disconnect between the black communities and veganism. We have been conditioned to eat the way we eat and believe what we believe about food because of what our families have passed down from generations as well as what the mainstream media has pushed on us (food chart, milk does a body good, etc.) Once you know better, you do better. Once you understand that vegans can eat pretty much everything that non-vegans can't...it's an eye opener. It's as simple as people not knowing that you can grab vegan Taco Bell and fast food. Again, it's just a lack of knowledge that isn't being pushed to our people the right way.  I think that will change over time as more of us become more aware as a people of what we are taking into our bodies and how that directly cause diseases and conditions, which are told to us as being "hereditary" when in actuality it comes from our eating habits.

BVR: What's next for you? 

G: With this video going viral and impacting the community in the way that it has, I feel there's a much larger purpose for me now. I love music and will always create music and will continue to release music. Right now, I feel it's more than just the music. I feel there's a need for me to help bridge the gap of knowledge about veganism and plant based diets, especially in the black communities. I recently partnered with an awesome company, Heart of Cool (heARTofcool.com), to help spread awareness in the forms of outreach, videos, fashion, music, etc. It's exciting! We have a lot of great things rolling out very soon.

Social Media

Youtube: YouTube.com/OfficialGreyMusic

Instagram: AirMaxJunkie

Facebook: Facebook.com/GreyPMODB

Twitter: GreyNyteLyfe

FEATURE: The Chocolate Vegan

Before I became vegan, I weighed 350 pounds and I didn't really exercise or take my health all that seriously. I played video games and slept a lot. I'm not trying to say that all people who are 350 pounds have my experience or are 'lazy' (especially because of the body positive movement that's happening today), I am only speaking from my own standpoint. I felt like I was being a bad role model to my children because I was teaching them that exercise and eating a nutritious diet weren't important things. 

My sister introduced me to the concept of veganism and I was like "Okay, I'll give it a shot." Little did I know my life was going to be completely flipped around. So, I decided to study it a little further and I researched things on YouTube and Wiki just so that I could understand the concepts a little better. As time went by, I was changing my eating habits, and before I knew it, in 10 months, I lost 160 pounds. 

I'm still shocked to this day about the weight loss. Now, my overall body feels amazing. Also, my children are following my footsteps in terms of health. I'm always outside doing something and my mind feels clearer than I was before. Life is great and I feel unstoppable. Veganism saved my life and paved a better future for my two kids. I want to add that it's not only saving my life, but countless animals lives because veganism is a more compassionate way of living. My kids now follow this compassionate lifestyle as well, and they show love towards animals like I do. 

FEATURE: Rachael Peart

Hi! My name's Rachael (rah-shell). My vegan journey started at the beginning of 2015 when I really wanted to do something about my health. As a 20-something, you may ask "what could possibly be wrong with your health at such a young age?" I was diagnosed with lupus at age 16 and on medications to treat it since then. There is no cure for lupus but with the right medications, you can treat it into remission (more on that in a bit). I began watching documentaries on YouTube over the next couple of months.

Then I stumbled onto Earthlings. You probably know how it goes from there. I went vegetarian - for the second time - overnight. I continued to eat eggs and cheese over the next week before I quit it all cold turkey...is that a vegan expression? ;)

I was a poor student in Boston at that time so my only real choice was walking a mile every week to Trader Joe's. My first job was a little closer to home, so I moved back for 10 months before moving again to where I am now - Iowa, or as I like to call it "meat and milk country". Not only is Iowa known for its corn, but also as one of the biggest pork producers in the country.

Due to the nature of my job here, I am somewhat in the public eye. I want to use my platform to show that if I - someone who once cried when Burger King brought back chicken fries - can be a vegan, anyone can. It's healthy, good for the planet and can be good for your wallet, hence the hashtag #brokeblackvegan that I use from time to time.

I'm not one of those girls on YouTube that shed an entire person going vegan. Quite the opposite. I've gained weight trying to figure it out. I'm Caribbean so I love starches and salt (though that may not be the ideal combination for my body), however, its all about finding out what works for you. But something has been working for me as I've received word from my doctor that lupus hasn't been active in my body!

If I can help just one other person heal themselves or feel better about themselves through this way of life, then I feel I have succeeded. Be well. Be vegan.

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachaelPeartWX/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachaelJPeart
Website: http://www.rachaelpeart.com/
Blog: https://rachaelpeart.wordpress.com/

FEATURE: Breck Oxford

Hey, my name is Breck Oxford and I'm a vegan chef who hails from New Jersey and I've called Brooklyn, NY my home for several  years. At 11 years old, I made the decision to become vegetarian when my mother light-heartedly dared me to remove meat from my diet. Being the strong-willed, dare devil that I was, I took the challenge and won and haven't looked back since. 

During the late 80's and early 90's, finding vegetarian-friendly options proved to be difficult. With a non-existent market for vegetarians, I found myself living off of foods such as salads, pizzas and breads (a carbivore if you will) . When I moved to Brooklyn,  I was introduced to countless creative vegetarian options.

It was then that I discovered my passion (well that and a boy) for culinary arts and yearned for a career change (former professional dancer). Shortly after I  began managing some of New York City’s top vegan restaurants, I decided to adopt a vegan lifestyle. My passion for cooking only grew and soon I found myself creating  plant-based dishes.

My  ‘Crabless Cakes’ seemed to be the highlight of all social gatherings, making it a frequent request by family and friends. After observing a number of non-vegetarian/vegan friends and family members indulge in my plant-based dishes, I knew it was time to start my own business. Insatiable Vegan was born! We offer cooking classes (group and private), catering and personal chef experiences. 

As I've gotten older (and wiser), my focus has geared towards health and ensuring that we all live longer lives, especially in my community. 
I truly believe my purpose in this life is to spread love and gratitude by way of food.

Social Media

Instagram: @insatiablevegan
Twitter: @insatiablevegan
Website: www.insatiablevegannyc.com
Email: insatiablevegan@gmail.com
YouTube Chanel: insatiable TV

FEATURE: Milton R. Mills, M.D.

Milton R. Mills, M.D., serves as associate director of preventive medicine for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a North American group of doctors and laypersons dedicated to promoting improved health care, better and more appropriate nutrition, and higher standards in medical research.

Dr. Mills practices outpatient clinic-based medicine in Northern Virginia and works as a critical care physician with Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia and United Medical Center in Washington DC. His varied experiences specializing in internal medicine and HIV disease, and in the relationship between nutrition and chronic diseases has made him extensively knowledgeable about the unique healthcare needs of minorities, the challenges of practicing medicine in inner cities, and the special medical and nutritional requirements of HIV+ and AIDS patients.

As an African-American physician focusing on preventive medicine, Dr. Mills has delved into some of the environmental and societal influences affecting the health of African Americans and other racial/ethnic minorities. Dr. Mills has lectured and given research seminars across the United States and in Mexico and Canada on such topics as the negative impacts of meat and dairy consumption on human health, nutrition and HIV/AIDS, nutrition and cancer, and the dietary needs of various ethnic groups. 

Dr. Mills, who graduated in 1991 from Stanford University School of Medicine, began working with AIDS patients while still in school. He also served as student body president of the medical school, founded the Minority Students' Alliance, and worked as editor-in-chief and managing editor of the Stanford Medical School newspaper. He did his internship at the University of California-San Francisco, and completed his residency training at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Mills' papers on race and diet have appeared in the Journal of the National Medical Association. 

FEATURE: Deja Vaughn

December 23, 2015. My family and I had just left Olive Garden. I had this massive pasta with the juiciest sausage and mouth-watering, melting cheese. I thought it was literally the best thing to ever happen that day. I devoured it as if my life depended on it. When we stood up to leave the restaurant, this excruciating pain erupted from my stomach like it was being wrapped in a blanket of nails. The pain continued for a couple of hours and shortly after making it home I got on my computer -doing what millennials do best- and started watching YouTube Videos.

 Searching down my timeline I came across a video titled, “101 Reasons To Go Vegan”, with one (watch it completely) changing my life forever. 
I knew it was a sign. 

Prior to this I was getting notifications and talks from peers around me about becoming vegan and how most of the the food on our plate is not safe for our bodies to process. I continued to watch video after video and read article after article. It became unreal. 

Once you become educated on the food industry and see how your food ACTUAL makes it to your plate, you can never un-see it.  I grew up in a household where TV dinners, meat, and dairy were constantly consumed and no one thought anything of it. So you can imagine how my family looked at me once I tried to educate them on what they were really eating. 

After immediately becoming enlightened with this knowledge I took baby steps into my process. I remember heading to my pantry and throwing out everything that had animal products in it. Honey, cheese, turkey, ham, bags of chips, gummies, and even juices all had to GO. I cold-turkey gave up meat and went pescatarian for about a week. After that my diet was raw and my body become very sick for two weeks, purging out all the processed and chemically treated food as it wasn’t used to a natural diet. 
There are positives in the negative because after the hard part, my body started to thrive and I never looked back. I knew this was no phase, this was a major life change. There were so many benefits from this change like glowing skin and much more energy. There were a lot of positive changes happening in my life. 

Going vegan wasn’t scary or too difficult to do. Its back to the basics. Its simple. Its delicious. Its real. Its not processed. Since then, I’ve watched numerous documentaries, read books, articles, and immersed myself in learning everything about plant based nutrition. 

I made a commitment to become plant-based vegan and to try to educate others on how this lifestyle is not only ethical for the animals, but it is also ethical for your body and the planet. It was one of the best life-changing and defining moments of my life.

Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dejaav/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DejaaV
Blog: http://dejavaughn.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJLg8snMwSVdQfeM4S3bsxw?disable_polymer=true