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/

FEATURE: Sea Sharp

Sea Sharp is an American poet of color who immigrated to England in 2012 as an alleged "refugee of Kansas." Sharp is a self-taught hula hoop dancer with tattoos, piercings, and semi-freeform locs. 

As a Kansas State University graduate with qualifications in Creative Writing, Literature, Theatre, and Women's Studies, Sharp is a Pushcart Prize nominee, winner of the Prairie Seed Poetry Prize 2015/16 (judged by Debra Marquart), and has upcoming or published poems in The Wild Ones, Storm Cellar Magazine, The Great American Literary Magazine, Coe Review, Polychrome Ink, and elsewhere. Sharp's debut poetry collections, "The Swagger of Dorothy Gale and Other Filthy Ways to Strut", is scheduled for print in 2016 by Ice Cube Press. To read some of Sharp's work, please visit: www.seathepoet.com. 

Unfortunately, poets are rarely paid enough to sustain an adequate living. Therefore, Sharp's profession currently involves working alongside investigators in local government (National Trading Standards) to combat mass marketing fraud. Sharp manages numerous projects with the purpose of gaining intelligence about scam letters that target vulnerable UK residents and the criminals who send them. 

Sharp chose veganism on New Years 2011 and currently practices a hybrid veganism, which includes Fruitarian, Low Fat, Raw, and everything "Intersectional." Sharp also follows Black and Liberal Feminisms, The Hip Hop Declaration of Peace and other movements, which aim to eliminate oppressive attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyles.

You can follow Sea Sharp on:

Twitter: @SeaThePoet

Facebook: www.facebook.com/seathepoet

Instagram: @SeaThePoet

Show Your Support by Donation on Patreon

Don't forget to visit: www.seathepoet.com

FEATURE: Casserley

Photo Credit: Schirley Amaral Photography

Casserley is an actress, performance artist, model, harpist, writer and student. She is training to be a therapist on an attachment theory course and also studying for her masters in infant mental health. She lives in London, England. 

I realized from an early age that eating animal products did not feel natural. I came to veganism for both dietary and ethical reasons--eating flesh and animal products has always felt wrong. I have been picking the meat out of my food since I was a little baby. I always wanted to cuddle animals, not consume them. My compassion for other creatures is not disturbed by my own actions, though I cannot control the actions of others of course...nor would I attempt to, except by my own example.

I am aware of breaking the meat loving African stereotype especially in regards to chicken!! As a Nigerian Irish girl, I am the product of two highly meat loving societies. In Ireland especially, it seems almost patriotic to celebrate meat and as a consequence veganism can be frowned upon. My experience of Nigerian society has been that consumption of meat is linked to status and by corollary, avoidance of meat is synonymous with deprivation.  
My loved ones expressed consternation with my choice and became very preoccupied with my protein intake. My grandmother worried that my hair would start to thin, but my fro is as robust as ever!!! My advice to other people would be do not let your personal health and lifestyle choices be dictated by received notions of ethnicity.

Follow Casserley here:

https://www.instagram.com/casserleycielo/
 

Sunday BVR News Roundup

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LGBTQ Black Vegans Featured in Article About Orlando Shooting

Richard Bowie recently spotlighted LGBTQ vegans of color in an article for VegNews. BVR advisory board members Pax Ahimsa Gethen and Christopher Sebastian McJetters were interviewed as well. Read their thoughts HERE. 

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A Call for Papers for Sistah Vegan Anthology 

In 2010, Lantern Books published the groundbreaking anthology Sistah Vegan, edited by Dr. Amie Breeze Harper. Dr. Harper, of the Sistah Vegan Project, will be organizing and editing a sequel to Sistah Vegan called The Praxis of Justice In an Era of Black Lives Matter (working title). Deadlines for Abstracts are August 15, 2016. Read more about this project HERE. 

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Vegan SoulFest Featured in Fox5 News

Vegan SoulFest 2015, Courtesy of The Umbrella Syndicate with permission from Vegan SoulFest / Facebook

Vegan SoulFest is coming up soon on August 20, 2016. The Fox5 article states:

"The third annual Vegan SoulFest is heading to Baltimore this summer and will feature around 100 vegan-friendly businesses and organizations serving up healthy food and an exciting music line-up. It's a free celebration of the vegan lifestyle and culture at Baltimore City Community College's Liberty Campus. On Saturday, August 20 from noon to 7 p.m. vegans and visitors curious about the diet can enjoy vegan grub, cooking demos, health lectures, kid's activities and live music. Last year the festival welcomed over 3,000 attendees."

Read more from the article HERE. 

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The Vegan Nigerian Is Having an Event

In just a few days on the 29th of this month at La Suite West Hotel (Bayswater, London), starting at 7pm, Tomi Makanjuola of The Vegan Nigerian will be hosting a buffet. She writes:
"Instead of a plated service, guests will be able to help themselves to a buffet selection ranging from canapes to colourful salads, to jollof rice, fried rice, and a selection of desserts, drinks (and more!). There will be gluten-free and nut-free options available. I'm hoping that it will be a laid-back, fun evening with good music and a chance for guests to mingle."

Get tickets to the event HERE. 

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BBC Covers Ital-The Vegan Rasta Movement

Poppy and Dan recently set up Ital Fresh, a pop-up vegan Caribbean food truck in Liverpool, and they were interviewed by Ciaran Varley of BBC. They stated: 

"Whenever anyone thinks of Caribbean food, they automatically think jerk chicken. We are educating people through our delicious, fresh and vibrant food, showing that Caribbean food can be so much more besides chicken. One of our signature dishes is jerk pineapple. We definitely honour the flavours of Jamaica, and the pineapple adds a fun, tropical spin - and has a similar mouth feel to chicken! We call it 'juicy jerk' and people really love it!"

Read the full interview HERE. 

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Help Seba Johnson Tell Her Story

Seba Johnson is a world-renowned Animal Rights activist and Olympian. She is currently writing a book where she can tell her story in a way that it has never been told. Please consider donating to help her complete her book. Click HERE to donate. 

Interview: Amahl Abdul-Khaliq

Photo Credit: Vashni Balleste

Amahl Abdul-Khaliq is AF THE NAYSAYER - a flourishing producer in the electronic and instrumental hip-hop world. Within the last two years this New Orleans-based, Los Angeles-bred producer has dispersed his atmospheric productions across 70 cities and at over 300 shows in the US alone. His sound has been categorized as “electrifying soul-hop” whose core is best described by Atlanta producer DISTAL as, “Layered, intelligent design with a simple and easily digestible delivery.”

His collaborations in New Orleans have led him to become the ambassador for Red Bull Music Academy, as well as founder of beatmaker showcase Dolo Jazz Suite. AF has toured with artists such as Durazzo, Prism House, and Sports Coach, and has opened for Glitch Mob, Om Unit, Quantic, Lapalux, Young Fathers, and the 2016 Mad Decent BUKU Party (feat: Yellow Claw, NGHTMRE, Louis The Child, and Jazz Cartier), just to name a few. AF also kept busy by lending production on “Mackerel Sky” (feat. RoQy TyRaiD) from Billboard-charting album “RNDM” by Mega Ran, and remixing other artists such as the single release “Friendly (AF THE NAYSAYER Remix)” by Taiwanese hip hop group Juzzy Orange and Boyfriend's "Company Ink," which was featured on Spotify’s 2016 Fresh Finds playlist.

AF’s upcoming solo EP consists of a conceptual hip hop album for a faux-video game soundtrack “Armor Wing Battle Unit,” and collaborative postmodern hip hop EP with rapper Darby Capital, “Courtney Love Love.” Both show that there is no end in sight for AF THE NAYSAYER and his eclectic sound. If you haven’t jumped into AF THE NAYSAYER’s world yet, now is the perfect time to become part of the experience.

We had the privilege of interviewing Amahl about his journey into veganism as well as his perspectives on social justice. 

Photo Credit: Vashni Balleste

BVR: How did you first learn about the concept of veganism?
 
A: I knew about vegetarianism as a child growing up in Los Angeles, but I learned the concept of veganism in middle school. I was really interested in martial arts, specifically in Shaolin Kung Fu, and they [the monks] are very much dietary and spiritual vegans. Also, some of my favorite BMX riders are practicing vegans, so I would attribute my discovery of veganism to Kung fu and BMX—two sub-cultures.
 
BVR: Why did you decide to become vegan?
 
A: I was vegetarian for a long period of time, and originally it wasn’t for animal rights or health. As a practicing Muslim, I had a lot of dietary restrictions, and didn’t eat that much meat. I was vegetarian for so long that I figured that the next step logical step was veganism. I was vegan for two years before reverting back to old habits, but at that time I wasn’t focused on my diet and didn’t have a reason to be vegan. A few years later, as my goals and ambitions became clearer, I decided to give veganism another try. Now that I have more clarity and purpose, I have set goals for myself, and I’m never changing back.
 
BVR: As a black person, how does race impact your veganism?

A: Honestly, I don’t really feel like it does. I’m actually not close to the vegan community itself. To me, it’s just a solo spiritual journey that I’m following, and I often feel like an alien. I live in southern Louisiana, where everything’s filled with meat and deep fried, but I do have some friends who are black and vegan. I don’t necessarily think they influence me or I influence them, though. It’s purely coincidence.

I’m trying to do a better job connecting and networking with my fellow black people: to let them know what I’m doing and how I’m trying to make change through my diet. In my own mind I feel that I’m eating more like our ancestors, and I’m trying to get more people to increase their fruit and vegetable intake for health reasons. In truth, though, I have to take care of myself before I take care of other people.
 
BVR: What would you tell someone who thinks veganism is a “white person’s” thing?
 
A:  I can’t really blame someone for thinking that. The media’s stereotypical “vegan” is an upper-middle class, health conscious white male or female. It’s been embedded in our brains for so long that we believe skin tone and social class is what makes up a vegan. It’s not, of course. It's very similar to the way people associate being educated with being white. It’s not really a white or black issue, it’s a lifestyle, and it's for anyone willing to work toward it.

Like, if you’re black and speak standard vernacular English, you might hear “Oh, you talk like a white person.” All of that is slave mentality, and it's a major problem in modern America. High vegetable and fruit intake has been the diet of black and brown people for centuries. The main thing holding people back from embracing so many things is the mindset that things are "white" or "black": that's what we have to overcome. There are plenty of black vegans who are raw foodists out there, and the fact that you have this website shows that there’s definitely outreach. More black celebrities are embracing veganism than ever, and it’s currently trendy to be vegan or vegetarian. I think it’s all about a change in perspective, and we need to be able to recognize the difference between something that’s positive in all people, and something that the media portrays as positive.

YOU CAN FOLLOW AMAHL HERE:

Music:
selfeducatedvinyl.bandcamp.com

Instagram:
www.instagram.com/afthenaysayer

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/afthenaysayer

Twitter:
www.twitter.com/afthenaysayer

SoundCloud:
www.soundcloud.com/afthenaysayer

FEATURE: Agda Santos

(The English translation is at the bottom. Thanks to Brett Scriver for translating)

Bom, li uma matéria sobre vocês no Brasil Post e achei interessante relatar um pouco da minha experiência por aqui como negra e como vegana.

A comunidade vegana em mina cidade é bem pequena e praticamente 90% se conhece. Nosso mercado de alimentos acaba sendo bem amigável, sempre com uma oferta de cursos de "como criar sua horta" ou receitas veganas e vegetarianas. Como uma negra vegana não sofri qualquer discriminação. Mas sofri por ser acima de meu peso.

Um dia estava em um café com uma amiga e ela estava relatando o progresso no Desafio 21 Dias sem carne pra um rapaz. Ela estava feliz compartilhando com ele sobre o Desafio e então me introduziu na conversa ao dizer que eu sou vegana. O olhar do rapaz, ao medir meu corpo da cabeça aos pés foi muito desconfortável. Ao que ele completou com "ah, mas você não tem cara de vegana, tem cara de quem adora um churrasco". E aquilo me magoou. Respondi apenas que ele devia rever esses esteriótipos.

De fato, a representação negra, tem que ser lembrada sempre. Mas o que mais me chamou a atenção é justamente essa força de vontade de não cair novamente nas grandes industrias.

Tais industrias criam agora um mercado exclusivo pro vegano/vegetariano. Eu não concordo com isso.

Tento ao máximo cultivar o que como e tento educar minha família e amigos quanto a isso.

É dificil, mas se não tentarmos, ninguém irá fazer pela gente.

Bom, é isso.

Parabéns pela iniciativa.

Um abraço aqui do extremo norte do Brasil!

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English Translation

Well I read an article about your organization the Brazil Post and I thought it would be interesting to relate a little of my experience here as a Black woman and as a vegan. 

The vegan community in my city is quite small, and practically 90% of us know each other. The range of foods that are available turns out to be really favorable, and there are always classes offered on "how to grow your own food" or vegan or vegetarian recipes. As a Black vegan woman I have never suffered discrimination, but I have suffered for being overweight. 

One day I was in a coffee shop with a friend and she was talking to a guy about her progress with the "21-Day-Meat=Free Challenge." She was so happy sharing her experience with the challenge with him, and then she brought me into the conversation, pointing out that I was vegan. The look on the guy's face was very uncomfortable as he measured me from head to toe to which he finished with , "Ah, but you don't look like a vegan, you look like someone who loves a good barbecue." That hurt me. I only responded that he should take another look at these stereotypes. 

In fact, Black representation can never be forgotten. But what I've been really focused on is not falling into the hands of big corporations again. The same corporations are now marketing lines of products exclusively to vegans/vegetarians, and I don't agree with that. 

I try my best to grow as much of what I can eat, and I try to educate my friends and family about that. It's hard, but if we don't do it, no one is going to do it for us. Well, that's all. Congratulations on your effort. Hugs from the far north of Brazil!