Sunday Black Vegan News Roundup

Waka Flaka Flame Vegan Muffin Video Goes Viral

A recent video with Waka Flaka making vegan muffins has gone viral on the internet. It was even trending on Facebook. Check it out: 

"Waka Flocka And Raury" In the kitchen Cooks Vegan Blueberry Muffins:

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Donate to Dr. Breeze Harper's Patreon Account

Dr. Harper created a new Patreon account so that she can get some funding for new book Recipes for Racial Tension Headaches: A Critical Race Feminist's Journey Through Post-Racial USA's Ethical Foodscape. Please consider donating so that she can continue her ground-breaking work. 

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Whidbey Intersectional Justice Conference Features New Speakers and Guests

The Intersectional Justice Conference, which takes place from March 25th through March 27th has added Dr. Breeze Harper and Brenda Sanders to the speaking roster. We have also learned that David and Paige Carter will be attending the conference as well. Other speakers include Carol J. Adams, Pattrice Jones, Aph Ko, Pax Ahimsa Gethen, and Lauren Ornelas. 

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Free Screening of Vegucated

Do you live in the UK? There's a FREE screening of the film Vegucated in London on March 5th. Check out details on the Vegucated Facebook Page and make sure to RSVP. You're more than welcome to invite your local friends to the screening as well!

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Check out the Veggie Connection Event

The Veggie Connection is a network event where vegetarians and vegans are exposed to a host of vegetarian/vegan-minded exhibitors with products for sale and free samples. The event takes place on July 2nd from 10am to 4pm. For more information, click HERE.

FEATURE: Angel

I first became interested in a vegan lifestyle in 2012 when I was working at a dead-end job. I was constantly stressed and as a result, developed poor eating habits that almost ruined my health. I developed atrial fibrillation (or afib). My cardiologist suggested a cardiac ablation and when I saw the electrocardiologist who was to perform the procedure, he informed me that I could bleed out as a result of the blood thinners I'd need to take leading up to it and said the procedure might not be effective. Before I left his office, I decided not to have the procedure, that I'd quit my job, and I'd adopt a vegan lifestyle. 

I felt better quickly and the afib episodes stopped. 

After this, I was feeling better and more comfortable, so I became careless. I slowly started eating more and more meat (as well as other crap foods). There was just so much pressure. I had a tough time because bad food was all around me. It's around all of us. My husband wasn't too interested in eating healthier, so I fell back into really bad eating habits. 

About six months ago, I started having trouble walking. My Achilles' tendon in my right foot became inflamed and the way I was walking started to make my whole right leg hurt. I began to practically drag it around. It affected my whole life. I honestly thought I was going to have to file for disability and just quit life, but I remembered how much cutting out meat products helped me so much before. I decided that I needed to embrace the vegan lifestyle again...for good. 

I am happy to say that since I did this, I've regained the use of my right leg and the pain in both my heel and knee are gone. My body is definitely coming back into alignment. I realize now that the purines in the meat I was eating caused such a build up of uric acid that gout had set in. I feel amazing now. I feel like my old self again. I'm more informed and feel like I'm part of an actual community this time around. I've also become creative and more open with trying new, healthy foods. 

I was so inspired by the launch of this website that I started a local Meetup called "Black Vegans in Austin". A few people have joined so far and I'm hoping they'll come out to the first event. More support is always helpful and I'm interested in hearing why they've embraced the vegan lifestyle. 

I love to cook and I share a lot about my journey on Instagram. My blog is in the works and I reach out to other people who are hoping to change their lives on my FB page. I'm @lifemusic_atx on Twitter.

FEATURE: Capucine L. Philson

To tell you the truth, my journey started in my late teens and on. At 19 my family doctor believed meat was the cause of my many ailments. That 20 plus years journey led me to veganism and it has been God's work. My health and body have been through many changes from eating meat, from 3 major surgeries to my turbulent weight changes which are now stabled. So, my vegan journey started as a 21-day challenge posted by Re Belle in Western NY Natural Facebook page. The most fulfilling challenge of my life! Those 21 days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months turned into years. I'm grateful and I truly believe it has saved my life! 

I've always loved animals, however my vegan lifestyle began to improve my health. No matter what, I've always spoken out against animal abuse. When there's a platform to expose these atrocious acts, anyone, not just vegans, should speak out against them. 

I'll tell anyone being vegan is challenging in a world that's so conformed and regimented. I've been ridiculed and left out, although, that's nothing new for me because I always stand alone. I truly believe I rock because I embrace my differences and others should too. I never thought there would be prejudices within this lifestyle I've chosen, but there is.

Being vegan means to be self-sufficient, self-reliable, creative (preparing vegan cheeses are interesting and masterful), and moreover, highly conscious. I'm a member of the WNY Vegans Facebook group; I'm Vegan, I'm Black and It Actually Happens; and my page I've recently created with Buffalo's amazing Rhonda Wells, owner of Buffalo Plant Burger, I'm Vegan, I'm Black and It Really Happens: Bison Green. She was saddened that at the Juneteenth festival she had spoken with young black people and teens that claimed, "Only white people were vegans." So, we brainstormed to create this page for the WNY area as well for black vegans. It's a small community but I'm faith-filled that it will continue to grow!

Thanks for the project. WE truly need this and those of you who are responsible for creating this project! 
 

FEATURE: JoVonna Johnson-Cooke

JoVonna Johnson- Cooke is a veganic farmer, chef and food justice activist working in Atlanta. JoVonna is the owner and co-founder of Maitufoods, 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, 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 & vegetable farms. 

"We as a planet can no longer sustain ourselves off of the slaughter and consumption of animals. The mass farming and consuming of animals to fuel an unimaginative, degenerated palate and an annihilating, cruelty-based industry has brought us close to a place of irreconcilable destruction. We believe that with a vegan lifestyle that includes veganic growing and farm production to feed the masses of people, we can begin to restore our environment and our relationship to the Earth and its living beings." -JoVonna Johnson-Cooke

Links to JoVonna's work:

http://www.maitufoods.com/

https://www.instagram.com/maitufoods/

https://www.facebook.com/maitufoods/

https://twitter.com/maitufoods

info@maitufoods.com

BVR Sunday News Roundup

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Tracye McQuirter, MPH Featured in VegNews

We are excited to announce that BVR's Tracye McQuirter, MPH, was the first Black vegan to be spotlighted in VegNews' Black History Month spotlights! Read her interview HERE. 

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Black Girl Dangerous Podcast Tackles Anti-Racist Veganism and Non-Binary Femmes

A screenshot from the Black Girl Dangerous website.

Make sure to check out the latest podcast which features a conversation hosted by Chanelle Adams and Princess Harmony, with guests Brandie and Jack Qu’emi Gutierrez.

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David Hayes Goes Vegan

In an interview with the Independent,  David Hayes, a British boxer who was also a former world-champion, describes why he decided to switch to a vegan lifestyle. He states:

"I watched a TV documentary about how animals are farmed, killed and prepared for us to eat...I saw all those cows and pigs and realised I couldn't be a part of it any more. It was horrible. I did some research to make sure I could still obtain enough protein to fight, and once satisfied that I could, I stopped. I'll never go back."

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FEATURE: Cory Booker

In 2013, Cory Booker became the first U.S. black senator in the state of New Jersey. In 1992 he became vegetarian, and in 2014 he decided to become vegan. In an interview with Philly.com, he states:

"But the compelling reasons that made be become a vegetarian are pretty much the same compelling reasons for me to become a vegan. I almost felt like I'd been playing avoidance on [it] for a long time, just giving in to things like Ben and Jerry's and New Jersey pizza...I have to say I feel a lot better, both emotionally and physically...While some people might think trying to be vegan would make your life more complicated, it's actually making my life more simple and cleaner...

 When you find yourself trying to avoid the truth about something because it's inconvenient, because you know it doesn't align with your values and your moral compass...I wasn't living my truth...Everybody struggles. We're all working to live our best selves, and we should do less judging and more encouraging." 

Though he was initially going to try veganism throughout 2014, he is still vegan. In 2015, after attending a cocktail party hosted by President Obama, he complained that there weren't any vegan options. He is very vocal about his vegan politics and advocates against animal cruelty and oppression.

FEATURE: Jim Morris

Jim Morris passed away in Venice, CA on January 28, 2016 at the age of 80. Throughout his career, Morris has been celebrated by the public for his vegan advocacy and commitment to social change. 

He was a former Mr. USA and 15 year vegan before he died. He was vegetarian for 30 years and later transitioned to veganism.

Morris dispelled a lot of stereotypes in his career. Bodybuilding has historically been regarded as a sport for white athletes, however when Morris arrived on the scene, he broke through barriers as an African American gay man. He was the second black man to win Mr. America. He's also credited as being Elton John's bodyguard for 15 years. 

Forks Over Knives featured a short documentary about him called, Jim Morris: Lifelong Fitness:

and Mr. International. In 1996, Jim won the Mr. Olympia masters at age 61 as a vegetarian. In 2000, Jim became a vegan for health and ethical reasons.

Sunday Black Vegan News Roundup

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Check out "Meatout 2016" 

The Black Vegetarian Society of Texas is hosting a huge International event to bring awareness to the benefits of eating vegan called, "Meatout 2016: Tackle Your Health." It's a FREE event and it's open to EVERYONE. Celebrity Executive Chef, Ayinde Howell will present a vegan food prep demo. David Carter, a former NFL lineman and the 300 lb Vegan is the keynote speaker. The event takes place on March 19, 2016 from 10am to 3pm. Get more details HERE. 

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BVR Founder, Aph Ko, Has a New Interview Out

Aph Ko was recently interviewed by Compassion Over Killing about the Black Vegans Rock project. She states:

"I would argue that in order for black folks to be useful agents of change in the mainstream society, we first need to rebuild ourselves through our own grassroots movements. Black Vegans Rock has been receiving a lot of attacks from some animal rights activists who seem to be threatened by the idea that there are different ways to engage different communities in veganism and animal rights. However, I don't focus on people who want to attack. I believe that there should always be a diversity of perspectives in activist spaces. The more people share their ideas for making veganism and animal rights more accessible for different audiences. the better. I don't think there's one way of doing it. Animal oppression is a very serious problem and we need to always remember that this is why we're doing our activist work." 

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Babette Davis, Chef and Co-owner of "Stuff I Eat" Was Featured in Vice

Babette's vegan restaurant in LA was spotlighted in Vice! She states:

"We needed to be here to bring this to a community that has so many health issues. Because we lived [here], we knew that there was nothing healthy around to eat. And whenever we wanted to purchase good food or go out to eat, we had to travel across town-[for] vegan food, in particular."

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Check out the Vegan Voices of Color Website

Vegan Voices of Color is a new space that shows the intersections of PoC and the animal agriculture industry. Check out the new website HERE and be sure to like the Facebook page. 

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New Essay on Aphro-ism 

Aphro-ism has a new essay out by Aph Ko titled, "Vegans of Color and Respectability Politics: When Eurocentric Veganism is Used to Rehabilitate Minorities." Here's a quote from the article:

"Veganism shouldn't be a tool the dominant class uses to rehabilitate blackness, as though blackness is inherently criminal, deviant, and barbaric. The consistent focus on former gang-members turned vegan perpetuates this narrative that veganism is peaceful and automatically leads to social justice. Veganism is sold as the perfect antidote to years of systemic racism."

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Donate to Pax Ahimsa Gethen's Patreon Account

Pax is on the advisory board for BVR, as well as a skilled photographer and writer. Click HERE to become a patron! 

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Last Chance to Sign Up For Tracye McQuirter's Online Vegan Bootcamp

LEARN MORE ABOUT NUTRITION THAN YOUR DOCTOR! 

If you're ready to go vegan (or more vegan), Vegan Nutrition Boot Camp will provide you with easy-to-understand and in-depth information about the foundations of plant-based nutrition. And you'll learn how to choose the right vegan foods to ensure you're getting the essential nutrients you need each day. By the end of the boot camp, you'll know exactly what to eat for good nutrition. And you'll have the confidence to move forward on your healthy vegan journey. Learn more and register at: http://www.byanygreensnecessary.com/#!online-learning/c1anf.