Breaking Distance

Our Beauty for Freedom, Breaking Distance Podcast Team sat down with SASHA Center Founder and CEO, Kalimah Johnson, LMSW to discuss trauma-informed care for African-American survivors of sexual violence and domestic violence. Kalimah has transformed what trauma-informed care for African-American survivors of sexual violence looks like and has been a trailblazer in her field creating the The Sasha Center Model:Black Women's Triangulation of Rape, a paper outlining the need for Culturally Specific Services for African-American Self-Identified Sexual Assault Survivors and the needs organizations like SASHA have around Policies and Funding.

About Founder Kalimah Johnson, LMSW

Kalimah Johnson, LMSW is the Executive Director and Founder of the SASHA Center (Sexual Assault Services for Holistic Healing and Awareness), and is a consultant to the Women of Color Network’s-ABC Consortium. She was previously an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Marygrove College in Detroit, MI. Recently, she completed a Certification in Professional Athlete Development from the Wharton School of Executive Education-University of Pennsylvania. She is also the Lead Consultant on Relationship Management and Safety with an emphasis on Domestic and Sexual Violence with the NBA. She has also created programming, workshops and trainings for the NFL, NHL, NCAA, E-Sports and for colleges and universities across the country on sexual assault. She is also in the newly released HBO Film Documentary “I Am Evidence” produced by Mariska Hargitay about the rape kit crisis in the United States.

"Our job here is to take the shame and the guilt away," she says.

Johnson-an adjunct professor at Marygrove College and sexual assault awareness consultant to the National Basketball Association-opened the SASHA Center in 2010 after working 15 years in the Detroit Police Department's victim assistance program.

SASHA Center Social Media:

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/sashacenter/?hl=en

TWITTER

https://twitter.com/sashacenter1?lang=en

DONATE TO SASHA Center TODAY!

http://sashacenter.org/

SUPPORT THE GOFUNDME PAGE:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/sashacenter

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM AT:

https://beautyforfreedom.org/

BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM MISSION STATEMENT

Art Therapy. Education. Empowerment. This is how we help survivors of human trafficking. We support recovery through creativity and skills training. We nurture our youth by removing potential stigmas surrounding self-expression, legitimizing their ideas, hopes, and dreams. In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we realize it’s our time to step up. Using the platform we’ve built to usher in change in the lives of people across the globe, we hope to help the world heal in this time of crisis. Here’s to paying it forward.

Breaking Distance continues our special series addressing the police brutality and widespread systemic racism representing historical and current sources of trauma in communities of color. We decided to go back to our communities of artists and thought leaders and have started a special #BreakingDistance Podcast series discussing Race Relations, political activism and the role of the arts and communication in healing; the second episode in this series features singer, songwriter and activist Lisa Ramey. This is our response to our current civil rights crisis, the collective trauma caused by inequality and violence, and processing our emotions throughout.

Evolution is the ongoing process of change. If we want to consciously and intentionally change our social systems, we need to talk together about it. The more inclusive, wise and productive our conversations are, the more powerful and positive the changes will be. - The Role of Conversation in Evolution (The Co-Intelligence Institute)

More About Lisa:

Lisa Ramey is an alum of NBC’s The Voice Season 16 and has been an active performer and singer since the age of 9. She’s also a global activist having recently worked with The World Health Organization and Global Citizen to raise awareness for the COVID Crisis and staying healthy via a debut performance of her album “Surrender” on the home page of Twitch and being included alongside artists like John Legend, Camilla Cabello and Common as part of the Global Citizen “Together at Home” concert series, with dozens more performances and concerts planned through the fall.

Lisa Ramey was and remains a supporter of Senator Kamala Harris. Lisa was asked to introduce the Senator at a major event in NYC in September 2019 and was subsequently invited to all of the Senator’s NYC events.

https://solo.to/lisarameymusic

Purchase “Surrender” at https://open.spotify.com/album/1gCP2VMekM7zCDLWEKfgpz

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM AT:

https://beautyforfreedom.org/

BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM MISSION STATEMENT

Art Therapy. Education. Empowerment. This is how we help survivors of human trafficking. We support recovery through creativity and skills training. We nurture our youth by removing potential stigmas surrounding self-expression, legitimizing their ideas, hopes, and dreams. In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we realize it’s our time to step up. Using the platform we’ve built to usher in change in the lives of people across the globe, we hope to help the world heal in this time of crisis. Here’s to paying it forward.

Our Breaking Distance Team had an opportunity to share an evening with the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking, an organization that has been a beacon of light and hope to many and an organization whose Coalition Members Paying It Forward Foundation have served as a mentor to our organization Beauty for Freedom for years. Our BD team spoke with

Ingrid Johnson, NJCAHT Board Member and Co-Chair of the NJCAHT Healthcare Committee, Wincey Terry-Bryant Founder of Nanababies, Winceyco, and Co-Chair of the NJCAHT Arts Committee and Gina Cavallo NJCAHT Boardmember, Consultant, Speaker, Advocate and Survivor of Human Trafficking. These incredible women inspired us with their passion for freedom and their generous hearts for supporting victims and survivors. We would like to use this podcast as a way to honor the NJCAHT and all they represent. Please join us in supporting their expansion by voting for a rebrand which could health them grow. Support their work to help survivors with your vote today and everyday until June 11th, 2020:

https://thinkso.com/giveabrand

Help give this nonprofit a $50k rebrand via “Give a Brand”.

More about NJCAHT:

The New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking was formed in 2011 and is made up of over 180 diverse groups in the state, which include nonprofits, faith-based organizations, government agencies, academics, law enforcement, and direct service providers.

The NJCAHT works to serve as the hub of community efforts statewide to increase coordination and visibility of NJ’s commitment to end human trafficking.

https://www.njhumantrafficking.org/

RESOURCES

https://www.njhumantrafficking.org/covid19

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM AT:

https://beautyforfreedom.org/

BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM MISSION STATEMENT

Art Therapy. Education. Empowerment. This is how we help survivors of human trafficking. We support recovery through creativity and skills training. We nurture our youth by removing potential stigmas surrounding self-expression, legitimizing their ideas, hopes, and dreams. In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we realize it’s our time to step up. Using the platform we’ve built to usher in change in the lives of people across the globe, we hope to help the world heal in this time of crisis. Here’s to paying it forward.

It's been such an emotional and confusing time for our communities and Beauty for Freedom wanted to address the police brutality and widespread systemic racism representing historical and current sources of trauma in communities of color.

We decided to go back to our communities of artists and thought leaders and have started a special #BreakingDistance Podcast series discussing Race Relations, political activism and the role of the arts and communication in healing; the first episode features Miguel Carter-Fisher, Professor at Virginia State University and Artist (Narrative Painter). This is our response to our current civil rights crisis, the collective trauma caused by inequality and violence, and processing our emotions throughout.

Evolution is the ongoing process of change.

If we want to consciously and intentionally change

our social systems, we need to talk together about it.

The more inclusive, wise and productive our

conversations are, the more powerful and positive

the changes will be. - The Role of Conversation in Evolution (The Co-Intelligence Institute)

More About Miguel

Miguel Carter-Fisher is currently based in his hometown, Richmond, Virginia. His interest in the arts began as a child and was nurtured by his father, the late painter Bill Fisher. At 18 he moved to Connecticut, where he studied both painting and philosophy at the University of Hartford. After graduating, Miguel moved to Brooklyn to attend the New York Academy of Art. There he studied traditional drawing, painting, and composition techniques. After graduate school, he worked at Soho Art Materials, where he educated artists, collectors, and galleries on diverse methods and materials of painting. Since returning to Richmond in 2014, Miguel has taught at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Milk River Arts, Bon Air Juvenile Corrections Center through Art 180, and Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently an assistant professor and studio arts coordinator at Virginia State University. Miguel’s work has been exhibited at various galleries in New York, Virginia, DC, Massachusetts, Washington, and abroad.

Please support Miguel's work at https://www.miguelcf.com/

Miguel Carter-Fisher Solo Show

Eric Schindler Gallery, Richmond, VA

Sometime in October or November depending on the development of the coronavirus.

https://www.ericschindlergallery.com/

Socials ---

Instagram --- https://www.instagram.com/miguelCFstudio/

Facebook --- https://www.facebook.com/miguel.carterfisher

Resources

Register to Vote Online

https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote

Defunding the Police. What Does this Mean? Fast Company Article

https://www.fastcompany.com/90511824/is-it-time-to-defund-the-police

Track Progress of Legislation

FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEGISLATION ADDRESSING POLICE VIOLENCE

https://www.joincampaignzero.org/#vision

https://8cantwait.org/

Center for Policing Equity—The Science of Justice: Race, Justice, and Police Use of Force

https://policingequity.org/what-we-do/research/the-science-of-justice-race-arrests-and-police-use-of-force

This detailed report delves into police administrative data to show disparities in the use of force. You can watch the director of the Center, Phillip Atiba Goff, deliver a TED talk on fighting racism and improving policing here.

https://www.ted.com/talks/dr_phillip_atiba_goff_how_we_can_make_racism_a_solvable_problem_and_improve_policing

NAACP Campaign to End Racial Profiling

https://www.naacp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/RP-One-Pager-7-2-12-Draft.pdf

NAACP Racial Profiling Curriculum Guide

Categorized By Topic

https://www.naacp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Racial-Profiling-Curriculum-Guide-TOPIC.pdf

The recommended reforms in this report, which are intended to create accountability and build better relationships between law enforcement and communities of color, stem from President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. You can read the Task Force’s 2015 report

https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/taskforce/taskforce_finalreport.pdf

https://policingequity.org/what-we-do/research/the-science-of-justice-race-arrests-and-police-use-of-force

Color of Change—Sign a Petition to End Violent Policing Against Black People

https://act.colorofchange.org/signup/state-emergency-black-people-are-dying

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM AT:

https://beautyforfreedom.org/

BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM MISSION STATEMENT

Art Therapy. Education. Empowerment. This is how we help survivors of human trafficking. We support recovery through creativity and skills training. We nurture our youth by removing potential stigmas surrounding self-expression, legitimizing their ideas, hopes, and dreams. In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we realize it’s our time to step up. Using the platform we’ve built to usher in change in the lives of people across the globe, we hope to help the world heal in this time of crisis. Here’s to paying it forward.

Our Breaking Distance Team sat down with Art Therapist Dawn Ippoliti LCAT, ATR-BC for Mental Health Awareness Month. We had an opportunity to delve into her practice as an art therapist and speak about mental health issues people are dealing with, particularly in regards to quarantine and the lock-down. Dawn is a licensed, board certified, art therapist and registered with the American Art Therapy Association. For almost twenty years Dawn has worked in a variety of clinical settings and institutions both in California and New York, providing art therapy and mental health services to children and families in crisis. Currently, she works as the program supervisor for New York University Art Therapy in the Schools Program providing supervision and trainings to school art therapists and their graduate level interns. https://www.art-therapy.com/

More About Art Therapy and Dawn’s Approach

Art therapy is a unique form of therapy that integrates the creative process for emotional health and healing. Many of the people I see are looking for alternatives to traditional talk therapy. Using art can be extremely beneficial to the therapeutic process as it can help illuminate your internal world. When you engage in discussion and the creative process together, both the left and right hemispheres of the brain are stimulated promoting the whole brain to function simultaneously.

Our focus is more about the process of creating and finding a place you feel safe to freely explore. However creating art is always your choice and if you prefer verbal means of expression, I will always welcome the direction you choose.

I offer a supportive and nurturing environment with practical feedback to help my clients effectively address the challenges they face. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve behaviors or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

I know it is a difficult decision to start therapy and often times people can even feel conflicted about whether or not they are ready, or the time is right. I acknowledge your courage for beginning the process and taking action to move in a new direction. I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.

ARTICLES AND RESOURCES

COVID Crisis and Mental Health:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2020/supporting-mental-health-during-the-covid-19-pandemic.shtml

https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/covid-19-coronavirus

https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2020/05/professors-must-support-mental-health-trainees-during-covid-19-crisis

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/04/mental-health-coronavirus/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2020/05/19/the-other-covid-19-crisis-declining-mental-health/#39f354ab3d65

https://www.mountsinai.org/care/behavioral-health

https://jewishboard.org/

https://med.nyu.edu/departments-institutes/child-adolescent-psychiatry/clinical-services

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/crisis-emergency-services-mobile-crisis-teams.page

CRISIS SUPPORT:

To request a mobile crisis team in NYC, call NYC Well at (888) NYC-WELL (888-692-9355

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

1-800-273-8255

Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis counseling

https://www.crisistextline.org/topics/suicide/?msclkid=0a3213d1a8ca1fa199234d1c6f9dbe41#how-to-get-help-if-youre-thinking-about-ending-your-life-1

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).

https://www.thehotline.org/help/

Other helpful resources for parents and young people:

You can find similar guidelines in English, Spanish, Chinese, Amharic, Korean, French, and Vietnamese at https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource

Talking with Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks: https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/pep20-01-01-006_508_0.pdf

How to Talk to Teens About the New Coronavirus:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-talk-to-teens-about-the-new-coronavirus-2020031419192

Talking to Kids and Teens About Coronavirus (by age-group):

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smart-parenting-smarter-kids/202003/how-talk-kids-and-teens-about-the-coronavirus

Stress and Coping: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Caring for Children in a Disaster: https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/helping-children-cope.html

Supporting Kids and Teens through the Pandemic:

https://www.mghclaycenter.org/hot-topics/7-ways-to-support-kids-and-teens-through-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

How Teenagers Can Protect Their Mental Health During Coronavirus:

https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/how-teenagers-can-protect-their-mental-health-during-coronavirus-covid-19

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM AT:

https://beautyforfreedom.org/

BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM MISSION STATEMENT

Art Therapy. Education. Empowerment. This is how we help survivors of human trafficking. We support recovery through creativity and skills training. We nurture our youth by removing potential stigmas surrounding self-expression, legitimizing their ideas, hopes, and dreams. In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we realize it’s our time to step up. Using the platform we’ve built to usher in change in the lives of people across the globe, we hope to help the world heal in this time of crisis. Here’s to paying it forward.

Breaking Distance – Mental Health Awareness Episode – A Candid Discussion with Loan Chabanol and Sabah Cheraiet

Our Breaking Distance team connected with Global Artists and Passionate Buddhists Loan Chabanol and Sabah Cheraiet for a candid discussion in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and featuring topics such as Ego, Compassion for Self, Spirituality and Creating during the Pandemic. Topics all relevant to the human condition and connecting us all. Ego is who you tell yourself you are. ... Buddhist scholars agree that the ego is a mental construct we need to navigate the world. While in the Buddhist context you may more often run into the phrase “the sense of separate self,” its core meaning is very similar to the Western concept of ego. Self-compassion is extending compassion to one's self in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering. Kristin Neff has defined self-compassion as being composed of three main components – self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. (Sources Wikipedia and selfawareness.blog)

More About Sabah:

Sabah Cheraiet was born in Paris, March 1965, in a family of six children.

At 22, she met one of the greatest Buddhist masters of our time and travelled the world with him for more than 10 years.

Her spiritual path is at the heart of her life and she is very committed to the Tibetan cause.

Her love for painting and writing took root during her adolescence.

At the age of 10, she marvelled at a jewellery box she was given, on which was painted “the blue-eyed woman”, from Modigliani. She started admiring the painter, and became certain she had met him in a past life.

Today she lives in Montmartre, a few steps away from where he once resided.

As an autodidact, she has been drawing and painting but never showed her work to anyone. But her secret garden slowly got uncovered: she started to reveal her canvases to her friends, who encouraged her to show them more.

Her meeting with Stéphane Corréard (curator) was a turning point for her. Convinced that she has “a thread to pull”, he encouraged her to exhibit.

She painted more than 100 canvases in less than 2 years.

Very quickly she got an opportunity to hold an exhibition in a house Rainer Maria Rilke used to spend time in, near Munich. The show was a real success.

One of her paintings was selected and exhibited at the Grand Palais in Paris, in November 2015.

https://www.instagram.com/sabah_drolkar/

More About Loan:

Loan Chabanol --- Actress, Author, Painter, Director and Activist

Loan was born in Paris, France, and is of Vietnamese, German, and Italian descent. She grew up in the south of France where she was discovered during the prestigious Elite modelling contest. She has graced the covers of fashion magazines such as Elle, Marie Claire, Jalouse, and Glamour. Her versatile and ambiguous look got her to become an ambassador for L OREAL professional and soon after she a career in TV commercials, Loan pursued acting at Lee Strasberg Institute in New York.

Her first feature role was in John Turturro's comedy, "Fading Gigolo", in which she acted alongside Woody Allen and John Turturro. Soon after, Loan was cast in "Third Person", a romantic drama written and directed by Paul Haggis. Then, she played "Buster Keaton" in a short artistic film by James Franco. Loan starred in her first lead in "The Transporter Refuelled", produced by Luc Besson.

Her early years were spent in intensive art classes with artist Bernard Bistes in Midi-Pyrenees, France. Inspired by old cartoons and children’s illustrations, Loan's early work was focused on eccentric characters and their struggle and desire to communicate.

After meeting with Monica Watkins, creator of the non-profit The Foundation for Art in Motion, Loan's work was featured in the "Art Meets Fashion" exhibition in New York in September, 2013. Linked to the show, her first book "Real E.t" depicts the quest of a sensitive character and his difficulties to communicate with the world throughout the challenges of Life.

In 2015, she created BORN IN BLUE, an art exhibit depicting the rise of sea creatures in a host of mediums. These creatures were shown alongside an animated film the artist illustrated and directed surround- ed by a virtual “ Ocean based “environment at The Lightbox in New York City.

The film was voluntarily created in a 2 D format to give the impression of what Loan calls the “ handcrafted vision “.

Her following body of work, NAMSIS & BLACK NAMSIS opened at SHOW Gallery in Los Angeles in 2018. Using a new medium of collages, Loan expressed the depths of meditation that transforms into a singular form that ultimately leads to: "The mind is everything. What you think, you become."

After visiting Haiti in 2016, Loan has been working closely with APJ 's ( Artists For Peace and

Justice) . She share a collaboration with Picsart to help rise awareness to the young generation by creat- ing an artistic connection between them and the charity's work.

Since her movie debut, Loan has been a close friend of CHANEL’s house and have attended many of their events and fashion shows. She is a part of their Beauty US Chanel community as well and keep collocating on creative project.

In 2019, she then donated art work and participated to WERISE Art festival & Phase ONE silent auction to help support Mental health for youth and Cancer research in Los Angeles.

Her passion for cartoons and children’s stories led her to finalise “ Blueboo”, a children’s book she has been working on for the last 8 years. The story depicts the journey of a blue monster living in the Brown Woods meeting with the last caterpillar left in the forest.

The book is successfully selling and is available online at www.booksoup.com. After making it through he first round, Loan will be submitting “ Blueboo” to the “Through her lens” Tribeca Film Festival ( 2020 ) short film program. ( CHANEL FILM PROGRAM ).

http://www.loanchabanol.com/

BLUEBOO IS NOW AVAILABLE at Bookshop https://www.booksoup.com/product/blueboo-loan-chabanol

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM AT:

https://beautyforfreedom.org/

BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM MISSION STATEMENT

Art Therapy. Education. Empowerment. This is how we help survivors of human trafficking. We support recovery through creativity and skills training. We nurture our youth by removing potential stigmas surrounding self-expression, legitimizing their ideas, hopes, and dreams. In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we realize it’s our time to step up. Using the platform we’ve built to usher in change in the lives of people across the globe, we hope to help the world heal in this time of crisis. Here’s to paying it forward.

This is a very special series for Breaking Distance in Honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and Memorial Day featuring Dr. Richard Kimball Watkins, Decorated Vietnam Veteran (Purple Heart and the Air Medal with Eight-Oak Leaf Clusters), Activist and Retired Educator, to all of our fallen heroes, their families, all of our active military and veterans. We thank you for your service, your sacrifice and the freedoms you afford us all. We are grateful! "In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." – Martin Luther King, Jr.

This candid discussion with Dr. Watkins is near and dear to our hearts as he is the father of our co-host Monica Watkins. They share an important conversation about the experience of African-American members of the military throughout the years and, subsequently, the treatment of many veterans coming home from Vietnam.

More About Dr. Richard Kimball Watkins

Dr. Richard Kimball Watkins received his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in 1995. Previously, he received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Texas Southern University in 1975 and his Bachelor’s of Science in Animal Science from Prairie View A&M University in 1965.

Dr. Watkins is a decorated Army Veteran who served in Vietnam as an Officer Aviator. His helicopter was shot down during the Tet Offensive and he was missing in action for a brief time. He received the Purple Heart Medal and the Air Medal with Eight-Oak Leaf Clusters. While in the military, he received extensive training and responsibility in training program development and validation along with curriculum design and development. Dr. Watkins has been a research technician with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a professional sales representative, business owner, university and public schools administrator and for over 20 years a prison administrator. The Executive Director of the Texas Prison System recruited Dr. Watkins in 1984 to re-design the correctional officer’s training program to make it comply with a federal court order. Dr. Watkins retired February 2005 from his last position at The Texas Department of Corrections as the Senior Warden of the Holliday Transfer Facility, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division with an annual budget of 9.3 million dollars. Dr. Watkins and his wife operate a training and management consulting firm. He serves on numerous board and councils and truly believes his motto “A life of service is the life that counts!”

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM AT:

https://beautyforfreedom.org/

BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM MISSION STATEMENT

Art Therapy. Education. Empowerment. This is how we help survivors of human trafficking. We support recovery through creativity and skills training. We nurture our youth by removing potential stigmas surrounding self-expression, legitimizing their ideas, hopes, and dreams. In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we realize it’s our time to step up. Using the platform we’ve built to usher in change in the lives of people across the globe, we hope to help the world heal in this time of crisis. Here’s to paying it forward.

Our Breaking Distance team sat down with Global Artist, Writer, Singer, Songwriter, and Producer Jasmïn for a candid discussion about how she started creating, her passion for writing and becoming her own woman and artist. This Parisian artist credits her Buddhist background with inspiring her writing and music to delve deeper into her thoughts and feelings. There is a vulnerability and sincerity that permeates every aspect of her compositions. Jasmïn performs three songs from her last two EPs “Bloom” her most recent release and “Dive” her release from 2018.

More About Jasmïn:

Jasmïn is a French singer-songwriter and producer based in Paris. Coming from a Hip-hop and Soul background, she also has pop-rock and electronic music influences that make her sound eclectic and versatile. https://ditto.fm/jasminbloom

Jasmïn was raised in Paris by Buddhist parents and got to travel a lot growing up, hence the international sound and her lyrics being in English. Her dad used to be a saxophone player, causing her to always been surrounded by music as a child; especially RnB which has clearly shaped her music.

When it came to making the EP 'Dive', Jasmïn wanted to be herself and do the music she likes, managing to make the EP feel very authentic.

Both ‘Dive’ and her latest EP ‘Bloom’ have been mixed by Grammy Award-winning Dave Pensado, who has worked with legendary musicians such as Beyoncé and Michael Jackson! Jasmïn‘s songs are mostly self-produced in her bedroom but for this new EP she collaborated with producers that helped her take her sound further.

PURCHASE JASMIN'S ALNBUM "BLOOM" AT:

https://ditto.fm/jasminbloom

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM AT:

https://beautyforfreedom.org/

BEAUTY FOR FREEDOM MISSION STATEMENT

Art Therapy. Education. Empowerment. This is how we help survivors of human trafficking. We support recovery through creativity and skills training. We nurture our youth by removing potential stigmas surrounding self-expression, legitimizing their ideas, hopes, and dreams. In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we realize it’s our time to step up. Using the platform we’ve built to usher in change in the lives of people across the globe, we hope to help the world heal in this time of crisis. Here’s to paying it forward.

Our Breaking Distance Team sat down with the Founder and Creative Director of The BMS, Brian Michael Stanziale. (words via The Chic Website) Brian Stanziale doesn’t get starstruck. After having lived in Chicago, New York, then back to Chicago, after styling, designing, and even opening a clothing store, he’s seen enough and done enough to know not to get too excited over a celebrity sighting. And while he may not get excited over seeing an A-lister walk down the street, we are certainly excited about his latest venture into the world of home décor: one-of-a-kind embellished books.

The search for the coffee table book can be very tricky, like finding that perfect pair of jeans or choosing a paint color that you can live with for years to come. It takes a certain panache, an undeniable curative eye, and good helping of style. Luckily, Stanziale pieces bring all those to the table and an extra dose of glitz and glamour.

Situated up north in Edgewater, is a tastefully decorated apartment in which Brian Stanziale creates his books, THE BMS. Their covers range, as does what is inside the book. What they do have in common as an artisanal quality that’s just as much unique as it is eye-catching. His pieces are bold and beautiful, chic and artisanal. They’re the perfect conversation starter that gives your home décor an added edge. From Iman to aliens, Stanziale’s books range in content and in character. How can you go wrong with David Bowie dripping in gold?

After graduation from Valley Forge Military Academy, Brian Stanziale sought refuge in the welcoming and dynamic arms of the art and fashion community. Intent on working in the industry, Brian tracked down one of Chicago’s top fashion stylists Patric Chauvez and compelled him to hire him for the next three years, Brian acted as his fashion photo stylist at The Chicago Tribune.

After sneaking into New York Fashion Week with Chicago Tribune passes, Brian became enamored with the NY Fashion scene and upon his return to Chicago, packed everything and moved to NYC. Time spent in NYC proved beneficial; Brina was being commissioned to create on-of-a-kind pieces for a few notable people such as Genevieve Jones, Rihanna, Shawna Stone and more.

Riding his success, Brian opened a freestanding concept store in NY’s trendy SoHo district. More than just a boutique, “Sloane” was a fully immersive lifestyle experience. Brian’s collections were coveted by celebs and tastemakers such as Kate Hudson, Julia Restoin Roitfield, and Sofia Coppola featured within the editorial pages of Vogue, Dossier and Content Mode.

Next, Brian co-launched and designed a ready-to-wear label “Alex Kramer” which debuted exclusively at Barney’s New York and was worn by Oprah Winfrey, Olivia Wilde and Gweneth Paltrow and featured in W, Elle, O Magazine, WWD, Instyle and more.

the bms.

Search, but you won’t find anything like the bms.

Truly a bold and provocative collection of home art, the bms. brings new meaning to the concept of using your home as your canvas. The Chicago based studio creates pieces that encourage you to look at everyday objects for a second time, challenging you to find a new appreciation for the beauty in your surroundings.

books, by the bms. are hand tacked coffee table books that are certain to be the anchor of any chic room.

art, by the bms. are hand tacked oil on canvas painting that are striking to say the least.

stuff, by the bms. shows you that your stuff can be just as exciting and distracting as your screens.

brian m. stanziale

Artist/Designer Brian Stanziale is based in Chicago with roots in New York. Brian’s design aesthetic has been described in Vogue to have “…a laid back swank…” an appellation worn with pride.

After having created the one of a kind concept shop Sloane NYC in Soho, Brian went on to design a luxury womenswear collection carried in Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Ave, Intermix and more.

Bringing his unique fashion approach to home décor, Brian started the bms. in 2014. In almost no time, his pieces have been sought out by some of the most discerning clients from around the globe.

www.the-bms.com

SOCIALS:

https://www.instagram.com/the_bms/

https://www.facebook.com/bmsnyc/

Our Breaking Distance Team has a really candid and sincere conversation with global musician and humanitarian Paul Beaubrun about Haitian culture and life growing up in Haiti, his newest album "Rasanbleman - Red Moon", creative energy, music and activism. We even discuss human trafficking and sexual violence throughout the world and, particularly, in Haiti. Paul blesses our team with a musical performance and showcase that took our breath away! You will not want to miss this very special episode!

More About "Rasanbleman":

Album link - https://ropeadope.lnk.to/Rasanbleman

Video links

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GXuLFVPkNv8

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=an7Xc8BK2kE

More About Paul:

https://www.paulbeaubrun.com/

A scion of Haitian musical royalty, Paul has spent his life living to the beat. Son of the Grammy nominated band Boukman Eksperyans, his earliest memories are of rhythm and sound. Moving to New York as a youth he was inspired by his heritage to begin crafting a sound all his own. Constantly aware of his roots, the struggle of an immigrant and the drive of New York life, Paul began to create a path where music, activism and history meet.

A unique and transfixing sound he calls 'Roots/Blues', Paul weaves his impeccable guitar skills, rich, vocals, musical ingenuity and cultural history together; all while performing a smooth melange of both English, French and Creole (the native tongue of his Haitian roots).

Paul has played alongside some of the world's best artists including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Maxwell, Arcade Fire, Jackson Browne and Bob Weir. Worldwide performances include venues such as The Beacon Theater and Radio City Music Hall in NYC, Massey Hall in Toronto, The Ryman Theatre in Nashville, The House of Blues in Chicago, The Montreal Jazz Festival, Festival Internationale Nuits d'Afrique in Montreal, Le Trianon in Paris, The Paleo Festival in Switzerland, No Siesta Fiesta in Norway. These continued accomplishments make him one of the few artists coming out of Haiti to garner worldwide success.

Paul has joined forces with Artists for Peace and Justice, and become an integral part of their organization. He is currently working in collaboration with Jackson Browne, and several other artists including Jon Russell (the Head and the Heart), Jonathan Wilson, Habib Koite, Jenny Lewis and Raul Rodriguez on an upcoming album for APJ. He also continues to be an active member and perform at their many events in the USA and Canada. This allows Paul to do what he loves; play music while also furthering awareness of Haitian art, culture and promoting the incredible talent of Haiti's youth.

Paul’s album titled 'Vilnerab', released in 2015, soared directly to #1 on itunes in the World Music category, receiving rave reviews. In 2016, he was nominated for a Dora Award by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts for ‘Outstanding Sound Design/Composition’ in the production of Espwa/Espoir. In May of 2018 on Ropeadope Records, Paul released an english/creole album, ‘Ayibobo’ , continuing his evolution of sound into Rock/Roots/Blues music.

On April 17th, 2020, Paul released his third album entitled ‘Rasanbleman’. Recorded live at the Cine Institute in Haiti, this album offers listeners a chance to enjoy the raw and emotive energy of uncut and raw power that Paul brings to his sounds.