FEATURE: Daud (David) K. Scott

My name is Daud (David) K. Scott, a Certified Holistic Nutrition Practitioner in Los Angeles, California and longtime vegan. I’ve incorporated veganism as a way of life starting out at my days as a student at Hampton University in Virginia in the late 1990’s. I was initially introduced to the vegan path through association with the hardcore-punk rock movement and representatives from various animal rights associations. Veganism has allowed me to unfold the steps to a clear mind, deeper spirituality and a greater connected presence to the Earth.  I am presently running a Holistic Nutrition practice called: Natures First Path. My practice first and foremost assists clients through plant-based (Vegan) eating, then mindfulness, herbology, reflexology and iridology.

Working with clients over a number of years, it became clear to me that people have more of a say so in the direction of their own health than they realize. For me the most obvious and clear thing to do is to just simply begin to eat more fresh, organic vegetables and fruits to allow the detoxification process to begin. I know that plant-based vegan eating and ethical practice holds a major key in correcting the many imbalances that so many people are dealing with today.

I am of the belief that it is never too late to correct any imbalances we feel in our bodies as so long as we have breath in us and have strong will and determination. I believe that most; if not all of the things to help us with nutrition and vitality can be found in our foods, and within the human body itself: The Natural Order. I became a nutritionist as a path of healing; and healing in our communities is greatly needed; may we be available in whatever capacity we can for those who are seeking.

Social Media:

Website: Natures First Path: Holistic Nutrition

Email: naturesfirstpath@gmail.com

Facebook: Natures First Path Facebook page  

Twitter: @daudscott

#BHM: Donate to Black Vegan Projects

By: Aph Ko

For Black History Month 2017, I decided to compile a list of a few Black vegan organizations, projects, and campaigns that you might want to consider donating to. Too often, we assume that the only currency we should offer to black folks is visibility and exposure. While that definitely helps, we also need real capital to develop our imaginations and ideas. On this list, I include a mix of organizations and campaigns that center on food justice, farming, art, book-writing, and even social projects.

Below are just a few projects that you might want to consider donating to this Black History Month. They are in no particular order. If you know of other organizations or campaigns that are seeking funding, please post their organization name and link in the comment section. You can also email blackvegansrock [at] gmail.com if you want your project to be featured on the website at a later date.

1. Maitu Foods and Grow Where You Are

Maitu Foods is a project created by JoVonna Johnson Cooke. Maitu Foods is a vegan meal delivery service and vegan nutrition education hub. Through MaituFoods, she is working to develop culturally appropriate and accessible educational materials that highlight the benefits of healthy nutrition through a vegan diet. Since 2008, MaituFoods has served more than 1,920 vegan school lunches to children and more than 1,000 vegan meals to families. The overall mission of MaituFoods is to honor the art of food rituals, and to serve humanity in a way that promotes the least harm and the most good for people, animals, and the environment. 

With her husband Eugene Cook, JoVonna co-founded Grow Where You Are, an organization committed to increasing local food sovereignty by assisting individuals and communities in creating sustainable, plant-based local food systems. Grow Where You Are has transformed numerous urban spaces in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Atlanta by establishing community food gardens and vegetable farms. 

MaituFoods and Grow Where You Are collectively invite folks to subscribe and donate. You will receive exclusive news, etc. from both organizations. 

DONATE HERE. 

2. Olympia Auset's SÜPRMARKT

We were honored to feature Olympia on Black Vegans Rock, and we know that her project could use some financial support. SÜPRMARKT operates weekly, providing 100% organic produce and aims to make great health and healing available to the communities that need it the most. SÜPRMARKT is seeking support with getting the word out, building partnerships, and gaining the exposure needed to keep this great thing going. They know expense is a huge barrier in convincing people to eat healthy and they want to burst through that barrier. If you know of foundations or grants that would like to fund this project, send an email to: share@suprmarkt.la. 

DONATE HERE

3. Supriim Vegan

She is featured in the middle.

Nosisa Ndabandaba is a 19 year old vegan from South Africa. She is in the process of starting a vegan foods private company called Supriim Vegan that will be selling to retail stores across the country and eventually to other countries too. Her goal is to show that veganism is a lifestyle that should be adopted by anyone regardless of their skin color or financial means. She does not have an official company website as of yet because she is still in the early stages of the project.

The money will be used to lease a production facility, purchase capital and raw materials as well as for start-up costs e.g website etc. 

She already won a competition that helped her kickstart her project. You can also email her if you want to discuss funding: lindanosisa@gmail.com

DONATE TO SUPRIIM VEGAN HERE (If you don't live in South Africa, you can donate with your Visa or Mastercard).

4. Health Koncious

Chef Nicole Asali is a vegan chef in Oklahoma City and she owns a startup business called Health Koncious! Health Koncious is more of a movement that encourages the community to learn about plant based diets. They do free food demos at schools, grocery stores, Vo techs, they go to festivals all over Oklahoma as well as grocery store tours for families. Health Koncious was founded in May of 2016 and instantly grew. She is currently working towards a book that will be going through the editing process in 2017. It is a run down on the whole food plant based diet.

She is in need  of  $15,000 to support the startup funds for Health Koncious to publish The Millenials Guide to Plant-Based Diets. She also needs to manufacture her many specialty items: protein powders, dairy free cheese sauce, and seitan (faux chicken). She is currently in need of a commercialized kitchen with plenty of walk-in space to hold all of her meal prep orders as well as kitchen equipment. 

Health Koncious is currently going through branding changes with plans to get into meal prep and manufacturing by 2018, and complete their mission of creating a plant based product that is affordable, accessible, and functional to hard working low-income families, because everyone deserves to be Health Koncious!  Chef Asali is a single parent with an income of $15,000 annually. She knows that in order to get into the food industry legitimately you have to have a lot of capital, and that is currently her only hurdle. Her market is completely untapped in Oklahoma and she just needs a small financial push. 

PLEASE DONATE TO HER INDIEGOGO PAGE HERE. 

5. Vegan Society Uganda

Kyobe Ashiraf Kyeyago is the Founder of Vegan Society Uganda. He is trying to promote veganism in Uganda and he has a very detailed proposal requesting your financial support.

Kyobe Ashiraf Kyeyago works tirelessly to fight animal cruelty. Vegan Society Uganda is recognized as a community-based organization. It is non-profitable, non-political, non-sectarian and non-discriminatory. The secretariat of the organization is located in the republic of Uganda in Iganga Municipality, Iganga district. The goals of the project are to stop animal cruelty, increase animal welfare and open sanctuaries in Uganda and all over Africa, to reduce the consumption of animal products in Uganda and all over Africa, etc. If you are interested in looking at Kyobe Ashiraf Kyeyago's financial proposal, please email him at: vegansocietyuganda@gmail.com.

6. Three Twisted Vegans

Rhone't Jacobs owns a vegan business with her sisters Rhoni and Rhoneika. They are triplets in the Washington, D.C. area who plan to open up one of the first African American Fast Food Retro restaurants, While transitioning to the vegan lifestyle, they saw the HUGE deficit in vegan fast food and wanted to change that. After playing with some recipes they finally got it right and straight to the point which birthed 3 Twisted Vegans.  

DONATE TO THREE TWISTED VEGANS HERE.

7. Delisile Godeffroy-Taylor

Delisile Godeffroy-Taylor is in the final stages of editing and design for their vegan, gluten free cookbook, Love Letter to My Son in 40 Recipes: Vegan, Gluten-free, Whole-food Cooking, with a Southern African Flair.

DONATE TO THE BOOK PROJECT HERE.

8. Seba Johnson

Seba Johnson is an African American Olympic athlete, actor, and vegan animal rights activist. She was the first black woman to ski at the Olympics, and the youngest alpine ski racer in Olympic history (she competed at age 14). She has also been vegan since birth. 

Johnson retired from athletic competition in 1992 to pursue an education in fine arts at Howard University, and to educate youth about health and animal welfare. Johnson's skis are on display in the first exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Johnson is currently crowdfunding to complete her memoir. With your help, Seba can continue to tell her story.

DONATE TO SEBA JOHNSON'S BOOK FUNDING HERE. 

9.  Stop Stuff Institute

Seanne is the Founder of STOP STUFF, a social enterprise and the first clothing line developed to attack gun violence by supporting non-profits successfully fighting the fight on our behalf. She has partnered with non-profits with a local, national and global impact and is working closely with the Chicago City Treasurer's office. A 9/11 survivor, she is committed to saving lives, to recognizing the plight of the survivors of gun violence, an underserved and underrepresented group of living victims, and calling the passive participants to task a la Facebook and Twitter, who provide the modern day mechanics for gang rivalry and murder.

Seanne is also building STOP STUFF DAILY, a non-profit organization that will serve as an incubator for social entrepreneurs. She developed the organization to channel the energy of millennials, who she defines, not by age, but by a mindset that compels movement and represents the unwavering belief that we can, and will, change the world. The organization seeks innovators for social change, will provide guidance and support for development, launch and partnership with pioneering corporations and financiers.

DONATE TO STOP STUFF HERE.

10. pHirstBite Food Truck

Meagan Simone needs your assistance to reach as many young people as she can (On the "Bite-Mobile"Food Truck), to spread the good news about healthy eating and living habits. She hopes to inspire young people to grow their own gardens, prepare their own foods, and eat what nature has created, without any artificial preservatives, gmos, dyes, hormones, or additives. The money will be used to purchase a food truck, and to support the purchase of a foreclosed property for commercial kitchen use. She will need somewhere to store things and distribute food. Licensed kitchens require: Liability insurance, a business license, certified commercial equipment, and they must pass inspections for permits, etc. She also wants to rebuild her small garden and replace tools and equipment that were lost during the 2016 Baton Rouge, Louisiana Flood. Meagan will support youth entrepreneurship and purpose (culinary art) through the meaningful work of cultivating food, from the garden to the table. Youth will be able to do so much more in the community to help others, as a result of the stewardship. She plans on growing extremely passionate young people, who can be proud of creating something that so many others can enjoy...FOOD!!!!!

PLEASE DONATE HERE. 

11. Malcolm Barnes - Vegan Social App

Malcolm is a vegan entrepreneur with a background in programming. He has been vegan for a full year now. He is interested in making an app that will help the vegan community find actual matches instead of the typical "one-night stand" mentality that tends to be associated with dating sites. He'll be able to make sure that this app will allow you find a lot of other vegans nearest to you.

App creation is expensive. Companies will charge $50k to $100k to make a simple app with a few simple features with a 2-3 person team, but it also costs $500k to $1,000,000 to make a more complicated and heavy features app like Tinder or Uber, etc.

So funding a project like this requires so much and it would be used for 12 straight weeks of building the most epic app ever. With the donations, Malcolm can hire other developers to help with the heavy workload of more complex features, a  UI/UX designer, legal fees, and everything else that he'll need to make this app a reality.

Any donation over $100 is eligible for any business advertisement both on the app and site.

DONATE HERE. 

12. The Veggie Connection

Lateefah is the Founder of The Veggie Connection, which originated out of Atlanta, GA.

The Veggie Connection is a network event where attendees are exposed to a host of vegetarian/vegan vendors, speakers, entertainment, and more. The Veggie Connection aims to not only create awareness regarding the plant based lifestyle, but to ensure that it is accessible, enjoyable and sustainable for all who are on this journey towards wellness and abundance. 

The Veggie Connection Event was created to fill the space where these sorts of events are not occurring. They feel that people shouldn't have to travel far just to experience an event of this nature that usually occurs in a major city.

Their events are based on a more intimate type setting. They like for their attendees to be able to take their time to talk and interact with each vendor, speaker, entertainer, and not be overcrowded. Attendees can relax and enjoy themselves in an air conditioned facility or in a park setting with blankets and tents.

he Veggie Connection Event provides people with helpful information through plant based, wellness options. They strive to make their events fun and inclusive, with all the diverse reasons in which people choose a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle.  

DONATE TO THE VEGGIE CONNECTION HERE.

13. Sea Sharp

SEA SHARP is a Pushcart Prize winner (2017), a Hammer and Tongue poetry slam finalist (Brighton, 2015/16), and a Prairie Seed Poetry Prize winner (2015/16). They are a Kansas State University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing and Literature and minor degrees in Theatre and also Women’s Studies. Sharp was the first poet featured on the Black Vegans Rock website (launched in 2016). They are passionate about intersectional veganism, black feminism, and other social movements that actively work towards empowering marginalised people, whilst dismantling oppression.
 
Sharp is Afro-Native American, LGBTQ+, a self-proclaimed “refugee of Kansas,” and also a naturalised British citizen who lives in East Sussex with their husband.

DONATE TO SEA SHARP HERE.

14. Pax Ahimsa Gethen 

Pax Ahimsa Gethen is a queer black vegan activist, blogger, and photographer. Assigned female at birth, Pax legally and medically transitioned to male, but identifies as agender and uses gender-neutral pronouns (they/them/their).

In 2008, Pax launched an event photography business: Funcrunch Photo. Their specialty is performing arts, with a particular skill in low-light concert photography. In 2015 they shifted to a patron-based funding model, making all their new work freely available under Creative Commons licensing. 

Pax blogs at The Funcrunch Files about gender and social justice issues, with a particular focus on cissexism (oppression of transgender and non-binary people) and speciesism (oppression of non-human animals). 

DONATE TO PAX HERE.

15. Amie Breeze Harper, PhD

Amie Breeze Harper, PhD, the creator of The Sistah Vegan Project and the editor of the ground-breaking anthology, Sistah Vegan: Black Female Vegans Speak on Food, Identity, Health, and Society, is a sought-after speaker, writer, researcher and consultant at Critical Diversity Solutions. Her most recently published book Scars: A Lesbian Experience in Rural White New England (Sense Publishers 2014) interrogates how systems of oppression and power impact the life of protagonist 18 year old Savannah Sales, the only Black teenager living in an all white and working class rural New England town. She is currently working on another book titled Recipes for Racial Tension Headaches: A Critical Race Feminist's Journey Through 'Post-Racial' USA's Ethical Foodscape.

Overall, Dr. Harper's work focuses on how systems of oppression-namely racist and normative whiteness-operate within the USA. She uses food culture within North America to explore these systems, using critical whiteness studies, decolonial theory, critical race feminism, critical animal studies, and critical food studies.

DONATE TO DR. HARPER HERE.

16. J. Bradley Project

In the summer of 2007, Jarvis Bradley was engaged in a casual conversation with a local school teacher in his community of Prince George's County, Maryland.  He was totally amazed to learn that many of the children in his surrounding communities were homeless and didn't have back packs and school supplies at the beginning of the school year.
Compelled to help these students, Jarvis launched his very first back pack drive, "Operation Bac-Pac".  Knowing absolutely nothing about fundraising, he simply asked family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers for donations and was blessed to collect enough money to purchase 30 back packs complete with all the supplies needed for deserving students.

Later the same year, Jarvis learned that these same students didn't have coats for the winter.  Again, he leaned on the shoulders of those who helped him earlier that year and was successfully able to collect and donate more than 50 coats to deserving students.

Five years later, Jarvis decided to move forward with his philanthropy and start a non-profit to help not only the students in his current community but also the students in his hometown of Forrest City, Arkansas and eventually students all over America.

The J. Bradley Project is a nonprofit organization created to help children of less fortunate families prepared for the upcoming school year. They conduct three projects/fundraisers throughout the year to ensure students have the necessary supplies and equipment to succeed.
H.O.O.K.S (Helping Out Our Kids to Succeed) is our Back-Pack and School supply drive. N-T-N (No Thanks Necessary) is our coat drive. Live the DREAM Scholarships (LTD-S) is our scholarship program.

In an effort to create more funds for the N-T-N Coat Drive, last year Jarvis rode his bicycle 500 miles in the month of October and successfully collected $2300 in donation and over 100 coats. They believe their projects will increase the academic achievements and self-esteem of elementary school children of less fortunate families.  They also believe that these projects will help clear the path to success for these students!

In addition to his own programs, Jarvis is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. where he is constantly supporting the community doing Adopt-A-Road, Teen Domestic Violence Conferences, Cancer Awareness, Purple Boot Initiative Mentor Programs, Voter's Registration Drive, and just being a good friend to whomever.

He is also a vegan and a huge advocate for fitness!  For the past two years, he has posted every workout his has completed on Facebook (which is over 500 different workouts). When asked why, he says, "You lead by example.  People are motivated when they see that you practice what you preach!"

DONATE HERE

FEATURE: Vanessa Rayford

Vanessa Rayford is the author of the book The Vegan Fast Foodie: 10 Simple and Fast Vegan Meals which you can purchase HERE.

I decided to go vegan in 2012 after I took a 40 day no meat challenge with my fiancé and his mom. Once I did the challenge, I did more research. I read books and watched documentaries and learned how the factory farms are operated. I also learned how meat causes more harm than good to our bodies. I was disgusted and came to the conclusion that meat is not needed in a human's diet. 

Initially, I thought I would be the "vegan revolutionary" in my family and turn every one of my family members vegan. Unfortunately, the best I could do was help a few consider a vegetarian diet for a few weeks. Sadly, my father past away from pancreatic cancer in 2015. He decided to do chemotherapy and it made him lose a lot of weight and energy. I want to use the loss of my father as motivation to spread the word about what being vegan really means. 

I want people to consider going vegan, not only for themselves, but also to help save the planet. These factory farms are causing pollution that's  affecting our environment in such devastating ways. Our planet is suffering and it's mainly because of what we decide to consume on a daily basis.

My fiancé and I started a brand called The Flyy Lyfe. The ultimate goal is to raise enough money to build youth centers around the world that teaches the youth about the things they don't learn in school such as nutrition, how to grow your own food, finances, starting your own business and much more. Therefore, a percentage of each book sold will go towards that fund.

Social Media

Instagram: @TheFlyy_Lyfe

Facebook: @TheFlyyLyfe

FEATURE: Adaora Ngozi Osimiri-Lewis

Goth In The Raw is the brainchild of Nigerian-American industrial musician/model/entrepreneur Adaora Ngozi Osimiri-Lewis, a Goth Raw Vegan/Vegan Private Chef. Her food is a representation of all aspects of her: the arts, avant-garde/dark fashion, her love of food and health, her unique style and love of the Goth subculture, which she has loved and been a part of since a young age. She has also been a vegan since she was 16 and transitioned to raw vegan 6 years ago. Her dishes and recipes have a dark/avant-garde aesthetic that is bold and eerie yet beautiful and all plant-based.

In such a short time since introducing herself to the world in late 2015, she has been featured in and is a Guest Contributing Editor for Vegan Lifestyles Magazine (Australia) and is gaining new fans and followers daily - vegan, raw vegan, non-vegan, alternative, goth and, well....everyone! She has been called by some fans,"The Morticia Addams of the Raw Vegan World", a title that she is ever so delighted to have. With the new year in her hands, she has a major venture in the works as well as a product launch and her YouTube Channel launching this year. She will be featured in the March 2017 Issue of Vegan Life Magazine (UK) with a "Meet The Chef" feature, interviewed for Plant based Cooks Magazine and was recently at the Atlanta VegFest 2016 and is preparing for AVF 2017.  She also has been working with The Humane League of Atlanta, an animal rights and animal activist organization.

She is married (husband is also vegan) and also a mum to two little princes, ages 2 1/2 and 3 years old, who are also little vegans themselves. She shares her love of health, recipes, mummyhood, life, the darkness and all of its beauty with anyone who dares to venture into her world. Adaora has even caught the attention of fellow vegans/activists: female vocalist Otep Shamaya of the metal band OTEP, Tattoo Artist/Celebrity Kat Von D and Alisa White-Gluz, female vocalist of the metal band All That Remains...just to name a few. She shows that vegans of all kinds exist.....even those that are children of the night.

Social Media

Instagram: @gothintheraw

Website:  www.gothintheraw.com

FEATURE: Gina Mondesir

My name is Gina Mondesir and I am the owner of MELONATED. Melonated is a plant based blog that features food, fashion, and lifestyle through the melanin eyes. What started the process and basically my journey into veganism was when I saw my mother single-handedly butcher a live pig when I was 16 years old. She wanted to cook fresh griot for dinner. For those that do not not know, griot is a popular Haitian cuisine. The pork is fried until it is golden brown and served with crispy plantains. However, watching her hammer away limb after limb really affected me. Also, my best friend chased me two blocks with the head of the pig my mother gruesomely slaughtered, That is when I began to question what I ate.

After high school I began my transition, I also met my husband who is a vegan and it really helped...but it was not easy. Back then I was trying to change my old eating habits but I felt like I was losing my Haitian culture. Not being able to indulge in those delightful dishes at family get- togethers put me at conflict with my higher self. But the less I ate meat the more I began to feel alive. Then I back-sled! It wasn't until I was feeling sharp pains in my uterus and my urine started to leave a foul smell that caused me to take my health a bit more serious. This eventually led me to the person who I am today and who I am today is Gina Mondesir vegan, mother, wife,entrepreneur, and just a better version of the old me. 

You can find me on Instagram @melonated Twitter @melonated I also have a cooking show on Youtube which is www.youtube.com/loveafroveg and my website is www.melonated.com. 

FEATURE: Darrion Smith

I was first introduced to the vegan lifestyle in late 2014 when I met Elandria Williams. She is a vegan and I learned a lot about the benefits and challenges of veganism from her. Until that time, I had never had anyone in my life who didn't eat meat or consume dairy products. This absolutely intrigued me.

I had already given up red meat and pork. I was still indulging in chicken, turkey, fish and dairy products. So this lead me on a journey of really exploring the activism of a plant-based diet. Through constant education and learning cultural history, I gradually eliminated meat from my diet. I also cut off a lot of dairy products. To me, veganism is a form of activism and resistance. I am no longer putting the chemicals, antibiotics, and steroids that are forced into animals inside my body. By no longer eating meat, I'm not contributing to the inhumane treatment and torture of God's living creatures. I also gave up dairy because of the pesticides and also learned that cows milk was not intended for human consumption.  

Through changes in my eating habits, my health has improved dramatically. I no longer feel sluggish, have labored breathing, my skin is clearer, I have more energy, and a better attitude. My journey to veganism began about 2 years ago. My life has definitely changed for the better. 

FEATURE: Glenn Wilson

I’m a 51 year old vegan who started this journey over 25 years ago. Over the years people have asked me why I became a vegan. Well, it wasn’t initially for health reasons or for animal rights or anything such as that. It was because of vanity!
 
I sought medical help for my flaky, discolored skin condition. After more than a decade of going to different dermatologists and receiving no relief, I accepted it was just something I was going to have to live with for the rest of my life. But then something really bad happened; I started to lose my hair…but only in certain sections of my head!!
 
I went to see Dr. Sebi about my conditions as a last resort. After his guidance and herbal treatments I had a full head of hair within one month! My skin condition had reversed itself. All within one month!
 
Energy levels? Out of the roof. And I had a mental clarity I had never had before. It was like a fog had been lifted off of me. I’m still not sure how to convey this experience in words but it was like I discovered a new way to see the world.
 
I experienced first hand what a simple and proper change in diet can do for you.
 
I went from not being able to do a single push up to quitting smoking, becoming involved in the martial arts, gaining a first and second degree black belt, training with the worlds’ best self defense instructor and learning that system to become an international instructor myself, and a nightclub security professional. I can perform push-ups with someone sitting on my back (not recommended), workout regularly and uncover the joys of body weight exercises.,,all because of what I now use to fuel my body, which is plant-based.
 
When I read Diet for a New America by John Robbins, that was the first book where I was able to see a tie between natural resources, diet, animal rights and what we collectively call “race”. I had always been aware of the issues of race because my mother exposed my brother and myself to such giants as Dr. John Henrik Clark, Dr. Ben, Dr. Ali Mazrui, and Professor George Simmonds. It wasn’t until I read this book, however that I saw how this dietary thing really affects every aspect of our lives and the lives of our people in a direct and indirect manner.
 

Social Media:

Website:      Vegan Odyssey
Email:           MightyGVeganOdyssey@gmail.com
Facebook:   Vegan Odyssey
Twitter:        @MightyGVegan
YouTube:     https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCD-IKd9qoh454iTgP15jtLw

FEATURE: Lindsay Cottin

Lindsay is a professional dancer, Shiatsu Therapist, fitness trainer and Therapeutic Recreation student from Toronto, ON. She is constantly working to help others mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Being vegan for over a year, she now implements her vegan lifestyle into all areas of her work. Whether she is creating dances, fitness training or healing others with Shiatsu, she is continuously advocating for others to take on a more vegan lifestyle.

Prior to becoming vegan, I was an extreme healthy and chemical free vegetarian. When I decided to go vegan it was for spiritual and cleansing reasons. I felt in order to be whole mind, body, and spirit that it only made sense to cleanse myself of all animal flesh. My friends and family are used to me going to the extreme in my life, so going vegan seemed natural for me. I have even now inspired some of my friends and family to slowly transition to go vegan. 

Veganism is a vital component in keeping your body healthy on the inside and outside. As a fitness lover, dancer, and trainer I feel so much more energised since I became vegan. What's important to remember is that going vegan does not mean instant healthy bliss. The fact is you need to avoid junk food, processed foods, and chemicals as much as you can; just as when you are not vegan. 

 I think being vegan as a black woman can be very influential and is really important to help rid the black stereotype of our inability to live without eating chicken and other flavorful foods. If we consider the Rastafarians who live an "Ital" way of living in which they utilize and only eat from the earth, this would suggest that veganism has nothing to do with being a "white' fad or trend right now. 

In regard to veganism being expensive, I would tell people to go in their fridge and look at what they are already spending their money on. Most people spend more then enough money on meats (eggs, chicken, bacon etc) as well as other processed foods that just sit in their cabinets. Going vegan means you will buy a lot of veggies, fruits, legumes etc, however you will no longer be buying all that meat and processed foods. So as far as being expensive that won't be the case, you would either be spending the same amount, or from my experience and after helping others to transition, you can actually end up spending a lot less.

On a final note, as a black dancer and woman I think we have to work much harder at advocating and bringing awareness about veganism and racism. I use dance performances as a means to tell a story and through that hope to influence other black women to understand how beautiful and how much power and influence they can have in this world. 

Both physically cleansed and at my highest state of spirituality, going vegan was the best decision I have ever made.

Social Media

Instagram: lindsay_dance_fitness

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindsay.cottin

Website: www.lindsaycottin.wix.com/dance