FEATURE: 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 in the year 2014 at the age of 43, but identifies as agender and uses gender-neutral pronouns (they/them/their). 

Pax graduated from Northwestern University in 1992 with a BA in American Culture, and departmental honors. The focus of their studies was law and ethics. They received a full fellowship to the Jurisprudence and Social Policy program at the UC Berkeley School of Law, but dropped out and began working at UC full-time in tech support and web development. They later moved to UC San Francisco to continue working in web development, podcasting, and video editing. 

In 2008 Pax left UCSF and 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 has volunteered for food justice organizations in San Francisco, preparing and distributing vegan-friendly food to the needy with Food Not Bombs and the Free Farm Stand, and gardening at the Free Farm and Alemany Farm. They believe that free access to healthy plant-based food should be a universal human right. 

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). Their approach to animal rights activism is based on the standpoint that animals are people, not property, and that veganism is a social justice issue, not a diet. 

Pax currently lives in San Francisco with their partner Ziggy. Pax and Ziggy both enjoy vegan cooking and music making; Pax sings and plays piano and electric bass. 
 

FEATURE: MiLisa Coleman

My name is MiLisa Coleman. I am 25 years old and a native of Cleveland, OH. I am a Black Vegan that rocks.

My vegan journey worked in tandem with my personal evolution. Within, a questioning spirit burgeoned. My view of the world and existence shifted. I transitioned from a texturizer to a short afro. The timing of it was almost symbolic as it followed the death of my father. I opened myself up to eclectic spirituality (i.e. Buddhism, meditation, yoga, crystals). Growing up, there had always been cognitive dissonance about the process of animals becoming meals. 

In 2010, out of respect for friends of various faiths, I cut out certain meats and then no longer consumed any animals, and by the end of 2013, none of their byproducts. I subscribe to the belief in living without the exploitation of living creatures. I removed all apparel and shoe items that contained animal hair or skin, stopped attending the circus, the zoo, and do not support brands that test on animals. It is a compassionate way of being. I respect and love my fellow earthlings; we are one. I feel connected to the Earth more. Being in nature and eating of Mother Nature's goodness for sustenance is an earthly blessing. In short, I became vegan because I did not want to contribute to the suffering of animals. 

With that as my foundation, I did not struggle with eliminating meat from my daily food intake. However, it can be lonely being the only vegan in the household and the only black vegan at vegan gatherings or animal rights protests. Like many, I received questions about my reasoning, the taunts of dead flesh dangling in my face as though teasing would set me back into my 'right mind'. and of course the condescending question "What do you eat?" I take it all in stride. Going vegan was one of the best decisions I ever made as I continue to open myself up to life. Lastly, I applaud the social justice movements tied to veganism in response to food deserts and improving the health of under-served communities with green spaces.

Links

Personal Website: Digimercy.com

Facebook: Digi Mercy (MiLisa Coleman)

Facebook page: Digi Mercy: the Digital Footprint of MiLisa Coleman

 

Sunday Black Vegan News Roundup

Chef Ahki Appears on Wendy Williams Show

Celebrity chef, Chef Ahki had a special appearance on the Wendy Williams show and demonstrated how to cook some healthy vegan dishes. You can find the recipes for the dishes HERE. 

The Intersectional Justice Conference is Coming Up! 

On March 25-28th, the Whidbey Institute will be hosting the Intersectional Justice Conference. Dr. Breeze Harper, Aph Ko, Pax Ahimsa Gethen, Carol J. Adams, Lauren Ornelas, Brenda Sanders, and Pattrice Jones will be speaking alongside many other great activists. Christopher-Sebastian McJetters helped organize the conference. David and Paige Carter (from the 300lb Vegan) will be attending the event as well. For more details, click HERE. 

Aph Ko Interview with Animal Voices

Aph Ko, the founder of Black Vegans Rock, explains the inspiration for creating BVR in this new interview with Animal Voices. You can find it HERE. 

Stevie Wonder Urges People to Go Vegan

In a recent interview with AOL, Stevie said, "I’m motivating people to do something about how we’re living on this planet...We have to be about making our planet more greener, the urban areas more sustainable for the children...We can't just talk about it, we have to be about it."

FEATURE: Risa

I'm Risa, a holistic healer and a jazz and blues singer currently based in New York City. I'm passionate about the rights of other species, and I've been a vegan--and an advocate for veganism--for 16 years.

This is meant to be short-ish, but if you want more, I told the complete story of how I came first to vegetarianism and then to veganism and activism in a chapter of the book Speaking Up for Animals: An Anthology of Women's Voices.

Veganism is far from "just a diet" to me; it has affected the interests and activities I've chosen throughout my life. While I'm no longer working in food service, I've held several jobs at vegan restaurants, working alongside foodies who delight in delicious plant-based eating as much as I do. I'm also a former nonprofit professional for animal rights organizations that work to protect animals and promote veganism.

As a Reiki Master, I've taught my students of energy work that the frequencies of death and oppression are incompatible with living a high-vibration lifestyle, and I encourage them to be as compassionate about other species as they are about healing and helping people. To be of service is a holistic and worthy endeavor, and I think veganism is a spectacular way to be of service to the earth, to animals, and even to our bodies! So many lives saved. In addition to my healing work with humans, I've been privileged to practice Reiki on animal companion clients--cats and dogs. That's so much fun! They're some of my most appreciative clients!

I was previously featured in a web documentary, I'm Vegan, which has over 10,000 views on YouTube. This video looks at my animal rights song "Strange Fruit," an homage to Billie Holiday's song of the same name, and which has been covered internationally. Here's the music video for my song:

Of course as a singer I've made no secret about my belief in animal rights and in the need for animal liberation, societal change, and the proliferation of VEGAN. My debut album on which "Strange Fruit" appeared also featured information about veganism in its liner notes. I'm proud of fashioning myself as a vegan performer with style, and proving we don't need leather, wool and fur to look good, even on stage! You won't spot me sporting the spoils of animal suffering; that's not a good look. I love when other artists are vocal about the benefits of veganism. One example is stic.man from Dead Prez! He's put out some good stuff.

I'm working on my second album now. It's less political than my first but it's a polished jazz and blues recording with a big band. It was funded in part by a successful Kickstarter campaign, and it's due out in 2016. I'm very excited! Keep in touch!

LINKS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/risabranch

http://risa.bandcamp.com/

FEATURE: Stephanie Duncker

I've been vegan for over 4 years. One reason I was excited to move to Portland Oregon was because I heard it was a vegan haven, but I soon found that for a place that prided itself on being "weird" it seemed (to me at least) fairly homogeneous. 

For many, Portland's lack of diversity is a punchline, but for those of us who live here it can be a depressing reality. This is especially apparent in the tech scene here. For that reason, I created a networking group run for/by underrepresented people in tech called PDXNALTA. When I first created it, it was just because I wanted to meet other people like me, mainly black people in tech- I had no idea the effect it would have on my career. Now, as a result of starting this group and immersing myself in the startup scene- I'll soon be starting as the Program Manager for the Startup PDX Challenge. 

As a young anti-capitalist activist I never would have imagined myself working in the startup world, but thinking about my values now- it makes perfect sense. Technology is a powerful tool for social change, and this has never been more evident than with startups. "Disruption" is not just a silly startup buzzword- it describes a process wherein small companies with limited resources can bootstrap their way to success, leading to the demise of huge companies and sometimes even whole industries. 

Not only do I see this disruption with startups, I see this in the work of intersectional activists, whether they are a part of the Black Lives Matter movement or working for food justice in the hood.

I have a lot of hope for society because there is so much innovation going on- to the point where meat producers are investing in vegan startups, because even they know that animal agriculture is not sustainable, and veganism is the way of the future. 

I'm really happy to be working with the Startup PDX challenge, because I get a chance to work with so many incredible underrepresented founders. Rather than Mark Zuckerberg types, using their privilege to invent the next big time waster, I'm working with people using their different perspectives to think up unique solutions to today's pressing problems. I'm excited to help them grow in a way that's sustainable and uplifts the community around them, unlike the traditional parasitic model of capitalism that swallows up and destroys everything in its path.

At the same time, I know we have a long way to go, especially in Portland. Rising costs of housing, economic disparities, and problems in representation still abound, so there's still much work to do. But we vegans are persistent, so you know I'm up for the challenge! :)

You can follow what I'm up to on my twitter @dunx, or my blog: dunx.co. You can also visit here to support my code learning journey.

FEATURE: Zachary Toliver

My pops told me that when I was a toddler, the realization that "fried chicken" was in fact an actual chicken disturbed me so much that I snuck off to flush the uneaten flesh down the toilet. Apparently, I failed to comprehend that all meat at one point walked around hyped on life before being murdered for McNuggets. I can only guess lil' me assumed meat grew silently rooted in the ground like vegetables or fruit. I like to think of this tale as a premonition to an inevitable vegan lifestyle. 

Regardless, nearly 20 years slipped by until a ruthless thunderstorm and anxious dog set me on the vegan path. 

One night as winds were shaking my windows and rain started to punish the ground outside, my dog Zero (she was born on Halloween and is named after the ghost dog from Nightmare Before Christmas) began to whine. She never liked storms, as many dogs don't. But, this was the first time she ever reacted by hiding inside the bathtub.  

Growing up in Tornado Alley, kids learn that if a basement isn't available, find shelter inside a small closet, an inner hallway, and yes, even a bathtub. I could always tell a storm was 10 to 15 minutes out because my furry roommate would scurry away to my bedroom closet or curl up inside the tub. 

Zero's instinct to hide opened my eyes to her true intelleignce. I had to learn proper storm safety but Zero simply knew. Moreover, Zero was obviously feeling fear. She was terrified by the storm, and for all she knew, her life was in danger. This showed me that Zero reacted in a way to preserve her well-being as a  living creature. Her intellect and genuine feelings of fear reflected a humanity that deserved accreditation. But more than that, Zero deserved acknolwedgment as a fellow creature, with a desire for life no more or less zealous than my own.

But it dawned on me, other animals share similiar cognitive abilities and are treated in horrible ways by humanity. Pigs are often compared to dogs in terms of loyalty and intellect, yet we EAT them. Orangutans are often called "the people of the forest" and we ruin their habitats for things like palm oil and cattle raising. The only reason I don't eat my dog is because of cultural norms. In many parts of the world, dog meat is free game. I simply couldn't live with the hypocrisy of slaughtering fellow animals for food, knowing they experience the same fear and the same yearning for life that Zero does. 

That night of shattering cognitive dissonance happened roughly five years ago. I became vegetarian after reflecting on Zero's reaction to stormy weather. After three years, I switched to full-on veganism. My vegan ethos is sustained by many other factors, most notably my work as an environmentalist. Out of every protest, signature gathering, march, or campaign I ever participated in, I find it funny that my diet exceeds all else in terms of environmental impact.

Nonetheless, my dog Zero who barks at her own farts and high fives me for treats, set me on the lifelong path I perhaps was meant for all along. 

Side note: Thank you to Black Vegans Rock for fruitful content and bringing folks together! I no longer feel like an endangered species out here.

If you care to know what happens when an environmentalist reads too much Huey P. Newton, check out my blog Coffee and Purgatory.

 

Sunday Black Vegan News Roundup

Tracye McQuirter, MPH, Featured on Cover of Natural Awakenings Magazine

Congratulations to Tracye McQuirter! Make sure to check out Natural Awakenings Magazine! Also, Tracye will be speaking on a panel at Natural Products Expo West on March 12th called "Finding Your Company's Future Leaders" about the need for more people of color in leadership positions in the natural products industry. 

Genesis Butler and Black Vegans Rock Featured in Barefoot Vegan Magazine

Check out the latest issue of Barefoot Vegan Magazine. Genesis Butler is on the cover, and Black Vegans Rock founder, Aph Ko has a special interview that's featured inside!

Detroit Vegan Soul Has Some Special Guests

Detroit Vegan Soul, founded by Kristen Ussery and Erika Boyd. had Stevie Wonder stop by their restaurant as well as former president, Bill Clinton. Congrats!! Follow their Facebook page for more updates! 

Dr. Breeze Harper Has New Article on Racism in the Food System

Dr. Breeze Harper helped write a new publication with Dr. Holt-Gimenez. This is the first installment in the new Racism in the Food System series from the Institute for Food and Development Policy, also known as FoodFirst. Check it out HERE. 



FEATURE: Nathalie Etienne

Hi, my name is Nathalie Etienne and I am a Caribbean-American vegan based in NYC. My vegan journey started during my sophomore year of college in 2012 when I started taking some time out to learn how I could possibly improve my well-being. I wasn't suffering from any illness but I was trying to figure out how I could integrate natural preventative care practices into my daily life. A lot of the information I received were from well studied naturopathic healers, such as Dr. Phil Valentine and Sister Queen Afua.  

After coming into the general realization that food is medicine and food can be healing. I decided that it was time to make a change. I was no longer going to consume meat, dairy, or any other animal products. After about six months I bounced back for a bit and went pescatarian, then vegetarian, until I finally went full on vegan again in the spring of 2014. Ever since then, I never looked back! 

 I started to fall in love with taking the time to prepare healthy delicious WHOLE foods, so much so that I started to blog about it! I created an Instagram page called @DOOSENYC where I feature Caribbean inspired vegan foods and desserts.Taken from the French and Creole word, "douce", which means, "sweet". I wanted to prove to my friends, family and anyone else who is watching that you can still enjoy good cooking and good baking while staying on a plant-based diet. I hope to continue reinventing traditional recipes in hopes of making my vegan experience that much sweeter. Thanks for allowing me to share my story! 

Links: 

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1S2NDh05QMSCQmS6GFIuIA

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DOOSEbyNathalieNYC1/posts

IG: @DooseNYC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Doose-NYC-11... 

Tumblr: http://cococurenat.tumblr.com/

Email: LifeisDoose@gmail.com

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