AWARENOW AWARENESS TIES PRESENTS
OFFICIAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR CAUSES
THE INCLUSION EDITION ON THE RUNWAY, IN THE STUDIO, ON THE FIELD AND IN LIFE MADELINE STUART
FIRST SUPERMODEL WITH DOWN SYNDROME & CLOTHING LINE
A.J. ANDREWS
PROFESSIONAL SOFTBALL PLAYER, GOLD GLOVE WINNER & MODEL
SOL RISING
INTERNATIONAL DJ & PRODUCER
ASIA MONET
RECORDING ARTIST, ACTRESS, DANCER & INFLUENCER
MAR 2020 ISSUE 03
Capture your world in IRL-resolution High-powered pro lenses in your pocket mean beautiful portraits, stunning landscapes and crisp super close-ups in any light.
SUBMIT YOUR SELFIE TO SUPPORT
MADELINE STUART SUPERMODEL AWARENESS TIES OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR OF DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS
@madelinesmodelling_
CONTENTS THE FEATURES 06 SOL RISING INTERNATIONAL DJ & PRODUCER
12 MADELINE STUART MY INTERNATIONAL SUPERMODEL DAUGHTER
18 A.J. ANDREWS ATHLETE, SPEAKER & MODEL IN THE MAKING 3
AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION
THE CORONAVIRUS 22 SUPER JACK RAISING A SUPERHERO SON DOWN SYNDROME
28 ASIA MONET RECORDING ARTIST, ACTRESS & DANCER
05 THE FUND IN UNITY HELPING THOSE IN NEED
34 THE GUIDE AN INTERACTIVE ONLINE RESOURCE
36 THE RELIEF A SWEET RELEIF MUSICIANS FUND
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INCLUSION is the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure. And so it is that we are all included in the human race. We are bound and brought together by our humanity. As we race to find a vaccine for the coronavirus and a solution for the pandemic, we are all united by a cause that affects everyone of us. Together we are tied to this. Together we will get through this. In this issue, we will explore inclusion, as it pertains to the talents of those who have gone above and beyond. Those who inspire us to be the best version of ourselves to serve something greater than ourselves. Please read and share. Also, consider donating to The Unity Fund as we work to support those in need. In these uncertain times, we are certain that help is needed. We’re here to do all we can with your support. Lear more here: www.awarenessties.us/unity-fund
Sincerely,
Jack & Allié McGuire Jack & Allié McGuire
Founders of Awareness Ties
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Be patient. Never give up. SOL RISING INTERNATIONAL DJ & PRODUCER AWARENESS TIES OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR OF MUSIC & ARTS AWARENESS 6
AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / SOL RISING
@solrising
SOL RISING
INTERVIEW WITH THE INTERNATIONAL DJ & PRODUCER Jack: How did you come up with your name? Sol Rising: I brainstormed it with a group of friends at a meditation retreat. One of my friends suggested the word “Sol” and I had just come from an event that had the word “Rising” in it. So I put the two together and thought it sounded cool.
Jack: Describe your sound. Sol Rising: My sound is an eclectic mix of several genres including electronic music, hip-hop and ambient. I like to make emotional, vibey music intended to impact the listener on a deep level, whether it be for meditation, yoga or dancing. Jack: Who has influenced your music the most? Sol Rising: I get inspired by a lot of different artists. Growing up I was influenced by scratch DJs and hip-hop artists. Nowadays I mostly listen to chill electronic artists. I like to take elements of what I’m listening to and mix them into new ideas.
THE JOURNEY ORIGINAL TRACK BY SOL RISING
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@solrising
Jack: Name three musicians you admired growing up and why. Sol Rising: The first album I remember buying was Nirvana - Nevermind so that was probably the first band I admired. I eventually got into golden age 90s hip-hop after I heard a mixtape by a DJ named Vinroc. I was influenced by a variety of hip-hop artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang, Outkast, 2Pac, Notorious BIG, The Fugees, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg etc. It’s difficult to name a single artist as there was so much good music from that era. I was also influenced by a lot of turntablist scratch DJ’s such as DJ Q-Bert, Craze and A-Trak.
Jack: Besides music, what else are you passionate about? Sol Rising: My first passion was basketball. I always wanted to play in the NBA as a kid and loved Michael Jordan. I also enjoy being in nature and chilling with my two cats. Jack: What was the first concert you ever attended? Sol Rising: I attended a Green Day concert in Vancouver in 6th grade.
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Jack: What is the biggest problem you've had to overcome as a musician? Sol Rising: The first obstacle was not knowing how to play piano or any music theory. I had spent so much time practicing turntablism and never learned a traditional musical instrument. It also took around 10 years before people started to listen to my music. So I went through a lot of financial struggle trying to make it as a full time artist and had to overcome self doubt and not knowing if I’d ever be able to make career out of music.
Jack: If you could change anything about the music industry what would it be? Sol Rising: I wish that music and the arts was more valued in society as a legitimate career. I was fortunate to have parents who supported my dream but can remember several occasions where other people told me I would never make it as an artist and that I should stick to something safer such as accounting.
Jack: Did you participate in a music program in school? Sol Rising: I didn’t participate in a music program until after I graduated from the University of Iowa with an accounting degree. A few years later, I decided to enroll at Pyramind, a music production school for an immersive one year program.
Jack: What instruments did you learn on? Sol Rising: I first started Djing around 1998. I consider the turntable as my first musical instrument as I used to scratch and compete in turntablism competitions across the country. Turntablism is the art of using turmtables as musical instruments manipulating two records and creating new sounds, beats and music.
Jack: What advice do you have for young, aspiring musicians? Sol Rising: Be patient and never give up. Learn from artists you admire. Copy them so you can master their techniques and eventually create your own sound. Also be humble and know that you will probably get rejected many times. But you can use that rejection as motivation and fuel to get better.
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@solrising
About Sol Rising
Born in Vancouver BC, raised in Fairfield Iowa, Sol Rising began meditating at age four with a walking mantra technique. His mother took him to visit numerous spiritual teachers, who inspired him on the spiritual path he walks today. As a teenager, he became a hip hop fanatic. His rooted interest in hip hop led him to learning the art of scratching — using turntables as musical instruments. Sol Rising soon became one of America’s top scratch DJs, winning second place at the DMC, the world’s most prestigious DJ competition and first place at Scribble Jam, the same competition that Eminem competed in along with other notable underground artists.
After graduating in the top 5% of his accounting class at University of Iowa, he realized accounting was not his path. A journey to India illuminated his true calling — to light up people’s awareness of their true nature through music. This lead him to study audio engineering and production at Pyramind Studios in San Francisco, CA.
Now a successful Producer with 13 albums released, Sol Rising has licensed music for brands such as Apple, Clarks Shoes, Hotels.com, Snapchat and US Polo as well as a placement in Academy Award winning director Paolo Sorrentino’s latest film “Loro.” Sol Rising has been featured in major media outlets including The Washington Post and Yoga Journal. He has also been streamed over 21 million times on Spotify and 5 million on Apple music. Sol Rising has toured in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia at festivals such as Wanderlust, Burning Man and Lightning in a Bottle.
SO FAR AWAY ORIGINAL TRACK BY SOL RISING
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Only through inclusion can we find the true meaning of humanity. MADELINE STUART SUPERMODEL AWARENESS TIES OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR OF DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS 12 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / MADELINE STUART
@madelinesmodelling_
MADELINE STUART
AN INTERVIEW WITH
ROSANNE STUART
MY INTERNATIONAL SUPERMODEL DAUGHTER For those of you who don’t yet know Madeline Stuart, allow me to provide an introduction. Madeline Stuart is a worldwide phenomenon. She is a powerful advocate for inclusiveness and diversity in modelling. At just 21 years of age she is already a household name around the world, with over 850,000 social media fans following her successful campaign to become the first professional model with Down syndrome. Madeline’s story captured the world’s attention from the minute it went viral, with nearly 7 million people following the inspiring weight loss journey that kickstarted her modeling career. Her ambitious goals and dedication had her go viral twice in 2015 and again in 2016. She has translated that initial success into modelling engagements all around the world, as well as numerous magazine articles, product endorsements and sponsorships. I had the great please of connecting with Madeline’s mother and manager, Rosanne Stuart, and here is the conversation we had…
Allié: A mother and manager of the first international supermodel with Down syndrome, Rosanne, what have been your hardest challenges and your greatest victories? Rosanne: I think my hardest challenges in the beginning was getting Madeline paid for the work she did, people expected her to do everything for free or in return for being included, this was heart breaking as my greatest goal has always been respect and equality for her, so I suppose my greatest victory professionally was her being paid like every other model. Of course there has been so many other challenges and victories along the way, another was taking rejection and processing it as her manager and not as an overprotective mother, in the beginning this was a really hard thing for me to do, I would go into mamma bear mode quickly and I burnt a lot of bridges, now I am not like that, I do not take it personally and have learnt that most of the time she is not rejected because of her disability but because she just does not fit the brief of the client. That self-growth has been a huge victory for me personally as now I can look in the mirror and be very proud of myself. On a personal note my greatest Victory is seeing my daughter ecstatic with joy every time she is on the Runway, a parent of a young person with a disability is faced with their children being excluded every day and looked at and treated differently, to see her being excepted and loved by the world gives me joy you cannot put into words. 13 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / MADELINE STUART
14 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / MADELINE STUART
@madelinesmodelling_
AlliĂŠ: Not only a supermodel and ambassador, Madeline also has her own clothing line. Tell us about the story of Madeline's brand '21 Reasons Why'. Where can apparel be purchased? Rosanne: 21 Reasons why started as everyone kept loving the style of clothes Madeline wore and kept asking her where to get them, it seemed natural and exciting for Madeline to start her own clothing line to express herself and her love for fashion. The number 21 in the name of brand comes from 2 factors, the 21st chromosome that represents Down Syndrome and the fact everyone looks forward to turning 21 and it being a happy exciting time of your life. The second part of her name Reasons why is all the reasons Madeline believes we can be better people, more inclusive, more loving, kinder to ourselves, others and the planet. At the moment we are re launching her website and will have the shop up and running again in the next couple of months. AlliĂŠ: What does Madeline love most about modeling? Rosanne: The catwalk of course, she love to be up on the runway, seeing the love she gets from the audience, being the centre of attention like all young divas. She also is very proud of the fact she has been able to help open doors for so many other models with disabilities, it just makes her heart burst to see the industry changing in such a positive way.
15 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / MADELINE STUART
IGTV ADVOCATES FEATURING MADELINE STUART
AlliĂŠ: What does Madeline love most about modeling? Rosanne: The catwalk of course, she love to be up on the runway, seeing the love she gets from the audience, being the centre of attention like all young divas. She also is very proud of the fact she has been able to help open doors for so many other models with disabilities, it just makes her heart burst to see the industry changing in such a positive way.
AlliĂŠ: As an advocate for inclusivity and diversity in modelling, what advice is there for surviving and thriving in this industry as a young woman? Rosanne: Work hard and expect to get rejected a lot just like everyone in this industry. If you want to be an average model make sure you are super fit and if not aim to be a plus size model. Never think because you have a disability you should automatically be accepted. It is very hard work but very rewarding.
16 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / MADELINE STUART
17 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / MADELINE STUART
@madelinesmodelling_
Awareness Ties, just like everyone else, has been effected by the events around the Coronavirus Pandemic. We have had to put on hold all of our events planned for 2020, from a gaming tournament in LA to benefit children in hospitals to a rooftop event in Chicago to support the American Cancer Society. As the world seems to be shutting down or being put on hold itself, we had to rethink the way we will overcome not just this pandemic, but also all the other causes facing a downturn in funds from cancelled fundraising events. A ‘coronavirus-immune-solution’ is what we’ve come up with, offering a way to still come together without leaving our homes. With virtual initiatives including a social media campaign, an online fund and a e-guide, we will survive and thrive. A ‘new normal’ may emerge from these unique and trying times. We are here to lead the way, dedicated to raising awareness and funds for causes today and in the future. We welcome each and every one of you to join us. (Learn how on the next page.)
Jack & Allié McGuire Jack & Allié McGuire Founders of Awareness Ties
a NEW norm for surviving and thriving 18 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / AWARENESS TIES
@awarenessties
3 WAYS TO ENGAGE
[ QUARANTINED WITH A CAUSE ]
1. JOIN THE CAMPAIGN SUBMIT YOUR SELFIE TO SUPPORT
SUBMIT
2. DONATE TO THE FUND
HELP US HELP OTHERS IN NEED WITH THE UNITY FUND DONATE
3. SHARE THE GUIDE
READ & SHARE THE CORONAVIRUS AWARENESS GUIDE SHARE
19 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / AWARENESS TIES
@awarenessties
Be loud. Be proud. AJ ANDREWS PROFESSIONAL SOFTBALL PLAYER, GOLD GLOVE WINNER & MODEL AWARENESS TIES OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS 20 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / AJ ANDREWS
@aj_andrews_
A.J. ANDREWS
ATHLETE, SPEAKER & MODEL IN THE MAKING Jack: You swapped cleats for heels when you went from the outfield to the catwalk. How did you end up on the runway for the 2020 Red Dress Collection with Go Red For Women? AJ: I met The wonderful Lori Levine from the fashion show at Michelle Obama’s national signing day last year and I told her that I play professional softball and how much I love fashion and she said she thought I’d be great for the red dress collection show! And I had seen the show before and loved that the American Heart Association put it on! I am the Beyonce of softball because I just love beating to the sound of my own drum and putting on performances on the field to be successful and I was elated to have a chance to put on a show with my catwalk for an amazing cause! I strut around the field everyday and was excited to do that on the runway to continue to raise awareness to heart disease.
THE PLAYERS’ TRIBUNE WRITTEN BY AJ ANDREWS
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PHOTO CREDIT: JEANNIE FREY RHODES 22 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / AJ ANDREWS
@aj_andrews_
BREAKING IT DOWN WITH AJ ANDREWS VIA YAHOO! SPORTS
Jack: Professional Softball Player, TV Host, Speaker. Is Model another title you’ll officially add?
AJ: Oh absolutely! My contract is signed and sealed with my pro team, now I just need a modeling contract. I truly thrive in elements when all eyes are on me and I just feel like every runway needs me! But more than that I would love to create a new category of model! Plus size models are now celebrated the way they should be and I want women with muscles, true athletic bodies to be celebrated as well! I’d love to start that movement! Jack: You walked for Heart Disease and now you are joining Awareness Ties as the 'Official Ambassador for Breast Cancer Awareness. You are doing so much for so many. What advice do you have for others who want to help raise awareness? AJ: My advice would be to go out and just find people that are passionate about the cause that means a lot to you! Be loud, be proud because there is always someone in need and don’t aim to reach the masses, start with a small group or just one person and change their life. Those feeling only fuel your fire and it will begin to spread and you’ll notice your influence touching more people than you ever realize! Use your voice, aim to change one life and one turns to two and two turns to three and before you know it people become more and more educated and aware! Don’t ever quit! 23 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / AJ ANDREWS
There’s magic in that extra chromosome. JACK HANCE A SMILE (AND A T-SHIRT) SAY IT ALL ‘A LITTLE KINDNESS CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING’ 24 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / SUPER JACK
SUPER JACK
A PERSONAL STORY SHARED BY
ALISSA HANCE
RAISING A SUPERHERO SON WITH DOWN SYNDROME At our 20 week ultrasound we learned that our child had a kidney defect and heart defect. We were told that the particular heart defect our son had was a marker for Down syndrome. We were referred to the Maternal Fetal Medicine office in Grand Rapids where we eventually received the prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. Children with Down syndrome typically face delays in certain areas of development. There can also be unique health challenges for individuals with Down syndrome. There were many unknowns and endless thoughts swirling around in my head. I felt as though life had just thrown me the biggest curveball, and I questioned my ability to parent a child with extra needs all while caring for my four other children. I was fearful for his future and for the medical complications that can accompany individuals with Down syndrome. I worried that people wouldn’t see his worth. I feared bringing him into a world that may not accept him or see past his diagnosis, and the weight of these thoughts was heavy. I cried...a lot. Then, I began researching. I wanted to learn everything there was to know about Down syndrome so that I could be the best mom to this child I loved so much.
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“I told him I’d push him as many miles as his little heart desires.” Jack inspired me before he even entered this world, and he continues to inspire me every single day. He faces medical challenges on a daily basis which include; a heart defect, kidney defect, hypothyroidism, chronic lung disease, and a handful of other health related issues. He conquers these challenges with such grace, you’d never know the battles he’s fought. He learned to walk by age two and he hasn’t stopped running since. He works daily on self care, safe eating practices, shapes and colors, and communication strategies. He uses sign language, visual aides and some vocalizations to navigate his world. It may take him longer to reach certain milestones, but that just makes celebrating those milestones all the more special. Jack has Down syndrome, but it no way does it define who he is.
I took Jack on some runs this summer - a 10k and half marathon. He loved it. I’m hoping to push him on a full marathon this summer. I told him I’d push him as many miles as his little heart desires.
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“The best part about being the parent of a child with Down syndrome is watching him spread his life light everywhere he goes, all while breaking down preconceived notions about Down syndrome.” He works incredibly hard to meet goals and continues to defy the odds. Witnessing these successes is a highlight for our entire family. He utilizes a variety of tools to communicate and he attends an inclusive preschool where he has built beautiful friendships. There, he is surrounded by people that see his abilities, shout his worth, and embrace his strengths. He is involved in our local community through our church and athletic organizations. He has shown us time and time again that he can do whatever he sets his mind to. He loves with a capacity that is unmatched and he brings out the best in everyone. I simply cannot imagine a life without Jack. It is a life full of contagious smiles, belly laughs, and the most amazing hugs. He exudes joy. We get a front row seat to all of this, and I am forever grateful for this life we live.
“For me, the hardest part about being the parent of a child with Down syndrome is the fragility of Jack’s health.” His complex medical needs impact our entire family. He has endured open heart surgery and many other smaller surgeries as well as countless hospital stays, tests, procedures, lab draws, ambulance rides, trips to specialists, and too many illnesses to keep track of. His health can decline quickly which encourages us to celebrate the good days all the more. We have a greater appreciation for the gift of life. We see his struggle, resilience and perseverance. Embracing our new normal means letting go of expectations and riding the waves of life, whatever they may be. Our family has missed holidays and play dates. We’ve shortened vacations or cancelled them all together. We are extra cautious during seasons of illness. The threat of a sickness is ever present on our minds, but Jack is worth every ounce of concern, there is no doubt about that.
27 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / SUPER JACK
28 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / SUPER JACK
“There is something truly magical about that extra chromosome.” I would encourage new parents of children diagnosed with Down syndrome to seek local resources and support. For us that looked like connecting with a family that had been through what we were about to embark on. It meant joining our local Down syndrome association and mended hearts organization. It also meant utilizing early interventions services. These services were vital to us. As a family, we learned physical therapy and occupational therapy exercises we could do at home with Jack. Through speech therapy, we learned about a variety of communication strategies we could incorporate into our daily lives that would promote communication. The skills he acquired helped build a strong foundation for success. Finally, I would add this: Trust me when I tell you that this diagnosis is not a tragedy. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I believe with all my heart that Down syndrome will be the most beautiful thing your family will ever experience. There will be highs and lows, but you will have the strength to face each day with grace and courage. There are unique challenges that come with this reality and unparalleled joys as well. You will have many unexpected blessings along this journey. You will meet incredible doctors, nurses, therapists, parents, and teachers that will become life long friends. They will celebrate your family and all the milestones that you work so hard to accomplish. They will also lift you up with love, encouragement and prayer on the days life feels too heavy. Initially it may be difficult to look past the diagnosis, but know that love, hope and joy await you on this next chapter of life. There is something truly magical about that extra chromosome.
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Always dream big. ASIA MONET RECORDING ARTIST, ACTRESS, DANCER & INFLUENCER 30 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / ASIA MONET
@asiamonetray
ASIA MONET
THE RECORDING ARTIST, ACTRESS, DANCER & INFLUENCER ON ‘REAL LIFE’ Allié: Music and movement go hand in hand. What’s your absolute favorite song to dance to? Asia: Wow, thats a hard one. I think sometimes coming from a dance background I love all kinds of different music to dance to. So, I probably couldn’t just pick one song... lol but I do enjoy R&B, POP and a great dance track! Allié: As a dance prodigy and a young rising artist, what advice do you have for other young aspiring youth? Asia: My advice would be… do what you absolutely love to do and let your passion, drive, consistency and hard work speak for itself. Don’t be afraid of the non-believers on your journey, and don’t be afraid of failing. It’s the struggles and the fight to be the best version of yourself that will make it all worth it. Always DREAM BIG!!!
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Allié: Can you tell us where you got the inspiration to create ‘’Real Life’’ your new song? Asia: ’’Real Life’’ is so different from my last 2 empowering dance anthems. ‘’Hey Girl’’ & ‘’Come Along. This time around I went into the recording studio with my team and amazing writer & producer Lauren Evans and Lance Tolbert, and we collectively decided not to record another dance song, which I know most people expect and want me to release, due to my dance background. As uncomfortable It was at first to show a more personal and vulnerable side of myself to the world, I was inspired by just being able to open up and share my thoughts, fears and struggles on my platform and hopefully in the process people would see another side of me and relate to the Lyrics. As I recorded this song I felt how important it is for the social media world and my generation to know that it’s okay to not be okay sometimes and we were born to be real not perfect. Allié: What was the creative process like making this song? Asia: The creative process was with my team, in the studio working out what I’ve been feeling for quite sometime now - the struggles. Being in the public eye you tend to guard your emotions, put on your happy face and feel you can’t show the world your not okay or sad, because on the outside everything looks perfect. Then Lauren Evens created lyrics that hit home, and I knew this was the song I wanted to share regardless of how scary it was for me to show my vulnerable side. 32 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / ASIA MONET
Allié: “Real Life” is quite different from other songs you’ve released before as it has more of an acoustic sound compared to your dance anthems. Can you tell us why you chose to venture into a different musical style for this single? Asia: Yes… I love the vibe of this song so much. It’s how I actually love to record, with more of a acoustic feel. To have my vocals be the main focus and clear on the track and with these lyrics, it was perfect. The track created by producer Lance Tolbert with his mixture of live strings made the sound of this track amazing.
Allié: What’s the biggest takeaway/message you’d like fans to get from listening to this song? Asia: Wow, there is so many things people can relate to in this song. I believe everyone will takeaway something different from the lyrics that stick out to them that relates to their own lives personally, and that’s what I want. I want people to know that I to struggle with my feelings, emotions and fears. Even if it’s uncomfortable for me, I want my music to always have people feeling something. Knowing that we all have our struggles, and the struggles we have today are developing our strengths for the future.
33 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / ASIA MONET
@asiamonetray
Allié: You’ve accomplished so much at such a young age, what is next for Asia Monet Ray? Asia: Wow, there is so much going on and I’m so excited for what the near future will bring! I’m getting ready to go back in the studio this year and brainstorm, to create an EP that will definitely represent me and my voice as a artist. And of course still working on my acting and some new projects coming up here soon. I feel right now being so young and still growing as a young artist, actress, etc. there is so much more for me to do on this journey. I just want to make sure I always bring a positive message to my platform and continue to inspire people to follow their dreams. 34 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / ASIA MONET
@asiamonetray
About Asia Monet Ray
Asia Monet Ray truly lives up to her name of being a ray of sunshine in the entertainment industry. A quadruple threat: recording artist, actress, dancer and digital influencer, Ray started her career at the ripe age of six-years-old with her unforgettable roles on Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition and season three of Dance Moms. Showcasing her impressive, dance skills in styles including jazz, hip-hop and contemporary, Ray always wowed the crowd with her dance routines and instantly became a fan-favorite. Ray then moved on to starring in her own show, Raising Asia on Lifetime that chronicled her journey into stardom. Ray’s second home is the stage where she continues to mesmerize everyone with her brilliant performances. Ray joined the iconic Mariah Carey and sang a medley of Christmas hits during Carey’s Christmas Tour at the New York Beacon Theatre. Ray has also exhibited her powerful and captivating vocals during her performance of the national anthem at the LA Clippers game and on Harry Connick Jr.’s talk show titled, Harry. Ray’s passion for music runs through her veins. She has even released original music including her dance anthems, “Come Along” and “Hey Girl.” She showed her versatility as a recording artist by releasing a more personal, acoustic song titled, “Real Life.” Ray has also performed her original music on talk shows, at the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk and at the main stage at Universal CityWalk. Ray has also been a familiar face in a countless amount of highly-acclaimed television series. She starred as Sydney Simpson in American Crime Story: The People vs OJ Simpson and appeared in TNT’s Major Crimes. Ray also had a recurring role as Jasmine on the renowned ABC Network show, Grey’s Anatomy, which garnered her a Young Artist Award. She has also worked on several commercials for brands including Target, Toyota and ABC Mouse. Also known for being a fashion trendsetter, Ray has been hailed as the “Best Dressed” at many red-carpet events she has attended. She showed her flair for fashion when she partnered with Target to create a clothing line for Generation Z called, “Art Class 2017.” The line was a great success and credited Ray as one of the young fashion designers for Target. Her work in the fashion world continues with many modeling gigs. Ray has graced the cover of multiple magazines including Parenting OC, Big City Kids, Gold Crwn, JAMO and Starbound Magazine, to name a few. She has also walked in fashion shows for admired designers including Nancy Vuu, Tumbler and Tipsy Kids, and Isabella Couture. Always keeping busy with exciting projects, Ray also shares great content on her social media networks including her Instagram account, where she has over 1.480,075 million followers, and on her YouTube channel, which has 420,000 subscribers. Outside of work, Ray loves keeping active through working out, cycling, walking the beach. Ray cares deeply for all animals and devotes her spare time towards volunteering at animal shelters. She also partnered with the Humane Society for Meatless Mondays in schools. Asia looks forward to what this year has in store.
35 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / ASIA MONET
@asiamonetray
WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER.
TOGETHER WE’LL STAND. TOGETHER WE’LL RISE. VIEW THE GUIDE
36 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / CORONAVIRUS
CORONAVIRUS AWARENESS
A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO OF ISSUU, JOE HYRKIN
OFFICIAL PARTNER OF AWARENESS TIES
“As Covid19 concerns rapidly impact our lives and our communities, we need both clear and factual information and ways to stay connected with our community, colleagues, friends and family. Awareness Ties exists to provide in depth information and to create community around issues that matter to our lives. With their Awareness Ties Coronavirus Awareness Guide, they have created a video and rich link enabled publication that shares detailed information that is useful for individuals and communities around the globe. Issuu is proud to partner with Allié and Jack on this project. They’re work reminds us that through caring and connection, we can have a huge impact on the lives of those around us. In the next few weeks, we will live in a world that few of us expected we would see…with quarantines, closed borders and long school “holidays” and folks we know getting sick. But I think we’ll also see communities come together, levels of resiliency we didn’t know we had, examples of care that will move us to tears adn an appreciation for the things that are most important to us. So in the midst of the chaos, look for the examples of care, generosity and gratitude that will definitely manifest. While we’re all trying to keep safe distances from each other to limit the spread of Covid19, we can remain socially connected and aware, while physically separating.”
37 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / CORONAVIRUS
"Sweet Relief is well aware of the financial and medical burden this virus is causing the music community. We are taking action to help those in need with the COVID-19 Fund. Please consider making a donation.� Aric Steinberg, EVP, Sweet Relief Musicians Fund
The world has been shocked by the devastating effects of COVID-19. We are aware of the enormous medical and financial burden that COVID-19 is having on the music community and we are actively taking steps to provide assistance where it’s needed most. Due to massive cancellations, artists are struggling to find the means to make ends meet during these unprecedented times. Sweet Relief is here to provide immediate assistance and we have created a DONOR-DIRECTED FUND with a limited amount of funds available to be used specifically for musicians and music industry workers affected by the Coronavirus. Funds raised will go towards medical expenses, lodging, clothing, food and other vital living expenses to those impacted due to sickness or loss of work. Learn more about the fund, and how you can help: www.sweetrelief.org/covid-19-fund
38 AWARENOW / THE INCLUSION EDITION / CORONAVIRUS
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