Travel is the Spice of Life, Vol. 2: My Greek Getaway

This past August, I traveled to Greece and it was by far one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. The food, the wine, and the sights were amazing. Even though it was primarily a food and wine tour, like my trip last year to Portugal, I also truly enjoyed learning about the history of the country and its beautiful islands almost as much as I loved eating the delicious food and drinking the wine. Even better were the wonderful women I traveled with who exemplified the idea that #blackgirlstraveltoo!

From the many wine tastings, the abundance of delicious traditional dishes (my faves were the salads and the seafood), to lounging by the pool and at the beaches, to visiting the businesses of some inspiring women, to an adventurous photoshoot in Santorini, every moment of the trip was memorable.

Read on to find out more about my incredible trip!

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“Femme Voices” Spotlight: Ya Gay Aunties Podcast

Ya Gay Aunties is a podcast hosted by Hanifah and Red, two friends who have taken it upon themselves to guide baby queer POCs in the right direction one episode at a time. They discuss topics such as relationships, pop culture, and politics and they also have special guest interviews. Their episodes are always thoughtful and sometimes controversial but at the end of the day, what’s important to them is reaching people by providing a different voice. This contribution to the community is priceless because many of us don’t have access to getting advice from those like us who have been in our shoes before.

Check out the interview below to learn about how Hanifah and Red began Ya Gay Aunties and how they deal with daily life as well as manage and curate such an important podcast.

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“Femme Voices” Spotlight: Island Couple, Shannon and Shanika

Shannon and Shanika, our next “Femme Voices” spotlight, are a femme couple living and loving in their native island, Jamaica. Shannon, a nursing student, and Shanika, a musician, are best friends and consider themselves to be twin flames after being reconnected via one fateful Instagram DM. They talk to us about their dreams and aspirations as individuals and as a couple. Their view on relationships and their energy-focused self-care methods allow them to have the capacity to love one another effortlessly, in the midst of an environment that isn’t exactly receptive to who they are. Shannon and Shanika share the things they are passionate about and their inspiring love story below!

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“Femme Voices” Spotlight: Jewelry Designer, V of “BlackQueerMagic”

V of BlackQueeMagic is this week’s “Femme Voices” feature interview. V’s story resonated with me on so many levels, from personal to professional. This self-made jewelry designer explains how she went from a job that was wearing her down to discovering her creative talents and turning them into a fulfilling career where she is able to help others. V also speaks about the period of reconciliation that she had to go through in order to embrace her Jamaican heritage yet still hold on strong to her self-worth and identity. These challenges are very relatable to those of us who struggle to find a balance between purpose and passion while navigating through the conventions of our culture. But despite these difficulties, V managed to overcome and flourish in her Black Queer Magic.

Learn more about V’s journey below the break!

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“Femme Voices” Spotlight: Birth Worker, Sunny of “Yoniverse Talks”

Sunny is this week’s “Femme Voices” feature! Founder of “Yoniverse Talks”, Sunny is a birth worker who started her business after realizing how poorly women of color are treated when they seek medical treatment and the skyrocketing mortality rate of Black women during childbirth. Sunny offers many services, teachings, and products to help women through their fertility issues, childbirth journies, and even their trauma. Yoniverse Talks is centered around the idea that women of color must rally together to work towards healing and gaining access to safer and better quality healthcare.

Read on for more about Sunny and Yoniverse Talks!

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“Femme Voices” Fitness Spotlight: Cameil Ross of SealedClutch

 

Our next Femme Voices interview is with Cameil Ross of SealedClutch. Cameil is a fitness instructor who is dedicated to making sure that her clients not only get fit but that they have fun during the process. She does a great job of making those who work with her feel at ease and comfortable as she guides them through the steps it takes to live a more active lifestyle. As a fashion lover, Cameil uses her personal style and passion for fitness to create a brand that speaks to many different people and, most importantly, best represents herself.

Read on to learn more about Cameil and SealedClutch!

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“Femme Voices” Fashion Spotlight: Designer, Stephanie Raymond and LezBReaL Fashionz

Credit: *D,Irvin Photography

Stephanie Raymond is a designer and founder of LezBReaL Fashionz and the subject of our next “Femme Voices” feature interview. She is a proud Haitian lesbian woman who puts all of her perspectives into her art. Stephanie is a true hustler, constructing custom designs for her clients while finding time to publically amplify her brand by exhibiting her work in fashion shows and representing her designs at events for various causes. She is extremely goal-oriented and gives some amazing advice on how to have faith in yourself and find your creative passions, even when the dream seems far away.

Read Stephanie’s full interview below!

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“Femme Voices” Artist Spotlight: Photographer, Zoha Van de aarde

Zoha Van de aarde is this week’s “Femme Voices” feature interview. They are a photographer whose art is both provocative and beautiful. Zoha primarily photographs women of color, as they believe they deserve more representation, especially in a light that showcases who they are and not how the outside world perceives them to be. A creative at heart, Zoha constructs their shoots from concept to completion and enjoys collaborating with their subjects on different themes. In this way, they endeavor to inspire those who view their art and those involved in helping create it.

Read more about this gifted photographer below the break!

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“Femme Voices” Writer Spotlight: “Finding Community Far from Home,” by Trae Higgs

I moved to the Big Apple in August 2014, in a long-term relationship and knowing everything about everything. I had graduated from my university just four months prior and I was ready for new experiences far away from the only place I had ever lived, Florida. For much of my life, I had no issues with Florida. I had beaches at my disposal and warm weather 98.5% of the year. Hell, I’m from the place that rappers and singers mention in songs and where every professional athlete vacations: Miami. What’s not to love?

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“Femme Voices” Artist Spotlight: Interview with Visual Artist, Avery Webster-Hobbs

Credit: Andre Cerezo

Avery Webster-Hobbs is our next “Femme Voices” feature interview. This artist uses bold colors to paint pieces that celebrate the feminine form. She focuses on a more natural aesthetic in her portraits, both with the backdrop and the figures that are the center of her “Femme Fuzze” designs. Avery’s art challenges the status quo on what is acceptable for those who possess a femme identity. As someone who values the support of a community, she uses her artistry to partner with small businesses in Brooklyn and encourages other artists to put their work out there as she has done.

Read below to learn more about Avery!

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