Shining a Light on Environmental Activist @QueerBrownVegan

Shining a Light on Environmental Activist @QueerBrownVegan

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Shining a Light on Environmental Activist @QueerBrownVegan

 

by: Charlotte Juan

Isaias Hernandez is an Environmental Educator and creator of @QueerBrownVegan where they create introductory forms of environmentalism through colorful graphics, illustrations, and videos.

Isaias created QueerBrownVegan in 2019 to share and emphasize the importance of why environmental education is a human right and now their Instagram page has over 90K followers! Isaias writes, “For centuries, many Queer / Trans BIPOC folks have been at the forefront of environmental movements and are often erased from environmental narratives. The environmentalism I was taught at a young age centered on people who did not look like me or shared the same identity. I never thought I was normal growing up and that there was something “wrong” with me. But in reality, the capitalistic system we live in today tells our Queer selves that we are an issue and that we are to be corrected by society when in fact, Queer ecological leaders have always existed in this movement. I want to continue to fight for justice and liberation while recognizing my role in the environmental movement. My lived experiences, cultural-based experience and identity mean so much in the work I do.”

Watch our interview with Isaias here:

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Poetry for Change with Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate Cydney Brown

Poetry for Change with Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate Cydney Brown

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Poetry for Change with Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate Cydney Brown

 

by: Charlotte Juan

Cydney Brown may not yet have graduated from high school, but she is already using her brilliant mind and voice to inspire people to speak their truth as Philadelphia’s Youth Poet Laureate of 2020.

She is no stranger to doing activism work for her community, having achieved the status of Girl Scout Ambassador and being a recipient of the Girl Scout Gold Award for her service project. Project GOOD – Girls Overcome Obstacles Daily is the mentoring program she launched to give middle and high school girls a space to connect with each other, work on healthy coping mechanisms, and build self esteem.

As Philadelphia’s Youth Poet Laureate, she wishes to “inspire young girls to speak their truth because it is valid and it is important”.

Her writing has focused on topics like social justice, self-love, and human nature in the past, and began as a way for her to feel freedom through her words. Poetry has no constraints, and she hopes to inspire others to develop their own creativity and voices through this medium. She has already begun her work in Philadelphia as the youth ambassador of poetry by leading workshops and participating in poetry readings in person and online. Check out Shine Global’s interview with Cydney Brown here:

 

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Youth Activist Darnella Frazier: A Key Witness In The Trial of Derek Chauvin

Youth Activist Darnella Frazier: A Key Witness In The Trial of Derek Chauvin

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Youth Activist Darnella Frazier: A Key Witness In The Trial of Derek Chauvin

 

By: Charlotte Juan

As Derek Chauvin sits on trial for charges of murder and manslaughter of George Floyd, the video that captured the incident and sparked outrage around the world is once again in the spotlight.

 

 

Darnella Frazier is the teenage girl and digital activist whose recording of the event has been a key part of the prosecution’s case in this trial, being described as “essentially Exhibit A”. Even in the opening statement of the prosecution, clips from her recording were played for the jurors.

EXPLAINER: Video dominates trial in George Floyd’s death

Frazier also stood as a witness for the prosecution on March 30th, and along with four other witnesses who were minors at the time of the incident, took the stand off camera. “I stay up nights apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more” she says through tears during her closing witness testimony when asked how this incident has impacted her own life, and states how she now constantly sees the possibility of George Floyd’s fate in the faces of her black father, black brothers, black cousins, and black friends. She’s also clearly heartbroken as she vocalizes how sorry she is for “not physically interacting and not saving his life.”

With that said, Darnella’s testimony and recording have been crucial to this investigation, and her words have strength as she acknowledges “It’s not what I should have done, it’s what [Chauvin] should have done”.

Youth Activist Darnella Frazier: A Key Witness In The Trial of Derek Chauvin

 

By: Charlotte Juan

As Derek Chauvin sits on trial for charges of murder and manslaughter of George Floyd, the video that captured the incident and sparked outrage around the world is once again in the spotlight.

Darnella Frazier is the teenage girl and digital activist whose recording of the event has been a key part of the prosecution’s case in this trial, being described as “essentially Exhibit A”. Even in the opening statement of the prosecution, clips from her recording were played for the jurors.

EXPLAINER: Video dominates trial in George Floyd’s death

Frazier also stood as a witness for the prosecution on March 30th, and along with four other witnesses who were minors at the time of the incident, took the stand off camera. “I stay up nights apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more” she says through tears during her closing witness testimony when asked how this incident has impacted her own life, and states how she now constantly sees the possibility of George Floyd’s fate in the faces of her black father, black brothers, black cousins, and black friends. She’s also clearly heartbroken as she vocalizes how sorry she is for “not physically interacting and not saving his life.”

With that said, Darnella’s testimony and recording have been crucial to this investigation, and her words have strength as she acknowledges “It’s not what I should have done, it’s what [Chauvin] should have done”.

 

 

Subscribing to Shine Global on YouTube is one of the easiest, most helpful ways to support us in our mission of making films about underserved youth and their families. Thank you so much for your support!

From Indigenous Child Farmworker to Stanford Grad: Shining A Light on Gianna Nino

From Indigenous Child Farmworker to Stanford Grad: Shining A Light on Gianna Nino

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From Indigenous Child Farmworker to Stanford Grad: Shining A Light on Gianna Nino

 

Gianna Nino is a first-generation Mexican-American college student currently attending Stanford Medical School. In this interview, Gianna shines a light on her experiences as an Indigenous child farmworker and her journey to Stanford. Check it out:

 

 

Subscribing to Shine Global on YouTube is one of the easiest, most helpful ways to support us in our mission of making films about underserved youth and their families. Thank you so much for your support!

Your New Favorite Black Artist: M Jamesly Saint Louis

Your New Favorite Black Artist: M Jamesly Saint Louis

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Your New Favorite Black Artist: M Jamesly Saint Louis

 

By Naomi Roberts

From the time M Jamesly Saint Louis knew how to hold a pencil he has been creating art. Today, M Jamesly is a multi-disciplinary artist and activist studying art at Rhode Island School of Design. M Jamesly is also the recipient of the Scholastic Art award for Best Teen Art of 2020, and the recipient of the 2020 Silver Knight award for art. In addition to these accolades M Jamesly is also the youngest artist to be given studio space at Bailey Contemporary Arts. 

While his achievements as an artist and young creative speak for themselves, what matters to M Jamesly most is the focus and purpose of his art: to portray Blackness honestly and in all of its facets. From the words of his artist statement, M Jamesly “lovingly centers Black people, Black culture, Black joy, Black moments, and at times Black trauma”.

While M Jamesly is focused on all parts of Black life, he doesn’t want his art to solely be defined by the trauma it sometimes depicts. Through his art M Jamesly seeks to disrupt harmful narratives about Black life and instead show the beauty, nuance, and joy that exists within himself and his community.

To learn more about M Jamesly, his incredible art, and why Shine Global shining a light on him this week, check out his full interview with Sean Conrad as part of our Shining A Light series!

 

Subscribing to Shine Global on YouTube is one of the easiest, most helpful ways to support us in our mission of making films about underserved youth and their families. Thank you so much for your support!