The Universal Asian and The Cre8sian Project invite you to join us in our #UniversalAsianVoices: Self Care - Part 1 panel discussion.
In this two-part panel discussion in collaboration with The Cre8sian Project, panel members will talk about some of their struggles both personally and as artists, and in dealing with the pandemic. While discussing with participants, they will also share some of their coping mechanisms and self-care techniques.
When’s the last time you reminded yourself that you are amazing? Like not just “pretty cool,” but a literal freaking miracle! Your existence is such a gift to the world!
I like to include a positive affirmation as part of my Morning Routine. When you get up in the morning to use the bathroom, make sure to look yourself directly in the eyes in the mirror and tell yourself something loving to remind yourself that You Matter.
Jenelle Catherina is an actor, singer and musician based in Las Vegas, Nevada. She stays very active in the local theater scene, having worked on productions with Super Summer Theater, Las Vegas Little Theatre, Vegas City Opera, and UNLV Opera. Her favorite credits include recognition as a Top 3 Finalist in BroadwayWorld’s Next on Stage; being part of the Swing It! Girls; and her role as Extraordinary Girl in Majestic Repertory Theatre’s production of Green Day’s American Idiot. Jenelle is currently in her last semester at University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she is completing her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Bachelor of Science in Human Services. Her future plans and dreams include being part of a Broadway production, leading a neo-soul/jazz group, traveling the world while making music and honing her musical instrument playing skills, which include focus on the piano, guitar, violin, and cello. The talented and busy artist also has made time to give back to the community. Jenelle recently was an intern at the Garden Foundation, an educational program for special needs adults. Read on to learn more about Jenelle and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
For me, especially now during this pandemic, I find helping others is my form of self care beccause so many people are feeling isolated, lonely and afraid right now. When we help others - and it can be done in very small, easy, safe ways - we actually boost our own serotonin levels and lower our blood pressure, making us feel calmer and happier. So, from fostering a shelter dog to zoom tutoring at risk youth to helping people transition to plant based eating through peta’s virtual mentoring program, we can virtually and safely connect with others and make them feel better and more connected, while making ourselves feel better and more connected at the same time.
Melissa Akiko Slaughter is a Blogger, YouTube Correspondent and Podcast Host/Producer, based in Brooklyn, NY. She has a theatre degree from the former Santa Fe University of Art and Design in New Mexico, working with Tony-award winning director Jon Jory, but has since transitioned her career to focus on the digital arts. Melissa is passionate about Asian American representation in TV and film and, as a result, provides regular commentary and insights on the topic for her movie review podcast, We’re Not All Ninjas. The popular online show was a Top 5 Finalist at the 2018 WNYC Werk It! Festival, an event focused on empowering women and others in the digital media landscape. Along with hosting, Melissa loves to blog for Nerdophiles, The Nerds of ColorandHapa Magin addition to working as a producer for Pineapple Street Studios, a podcast studio who’s work includes multi-episode narratives, branded podcasts, talk shows, investigative journalism and more. Read on to learn more about Melissa and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Obviously exercise is great for your health and well-being. But even on those chill days, and even those all-day computer days, it's important to take breaks to stretch your body that has been sitting stagnant and building stress. Stretch it out. Take a dance break!
Aside from being part of her high school’s Bella Voce Choir, this spring Determin8sian Scholarship winner Samantha Gracia is taking a Set Design Class under the instruction of Ms. Kris Blake at Seedling Theatre Company. She enjoys the hands-on training and likes learning about what it takes to create the stage for a live play. Samantha also just opened a shop on Etsy selling her own digital art drawings and canvas paintings. She recently entered a local Valentines drawing contest and won 1st Place with one of her digital art pieces. Even during quarantine, she’s found ways to expand her artistic and creative skills. Keep your eyes open for this rising #AmazingAsianintheArts as she continues to reach for the stars!
Naomi Takata Shepherd, an artist and creator based in San Jose, CA, is the founder of 6 Degrees of Hapa, an inclusive online and in-person platform that celebrates mixed cultures through art, apparel, storytelling and community building. Her goal in creating the brand was to celebrate hapas as individuals, along with the family, friends and communities that hold them up and make them who they are. Through pop-up activations at festivals, #ShareYourHapaStory blog posts that feature amazing hapas, stories about their experiences and identity; food and cultural events and more, Shepherd has continued to champion the culture through thought, word and action. On the 6 Degrees of Hapa Threadless Artist Shop, a limited edition “Mixed Communities for Black Lives” t-shirt is available with 100% of proceeds being donated to Black Lives Matter. Along with her successful business, Shepherd is passionate about writing, designing and creating art and films with a focus on intersectional and inclusive narratives. Read on to learn more about Naomi and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
I’ve heard a lot of different definitions of “self-care” so I decided to look it up. The definition I found is: the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness during periods of stress. I’m going to go ahead and expand that too, REGULARLY.
Alex Lin is an award-nominated playwright, screenwriter and journalist, based in Saddle River, New Jersey. Her work is powered by a drive to bridge the gap between science and entertainment industries. As a space journalist and executive producer with Supercluster, Lin has worked with former astronauts, NASA executives, Hollywood celebrities and others to bring powerful stories to life. On Real Astronaut/Play Astronaut, a Supercluster content series that brings real life and silver screen astronauts together in conversation, a recent episode Lin produced highlights actor David Oyelowo and former astronaut Alvin Drew discussing the 2020 American sci-fi film, The Midnight Sky. Along with exclusive coverage of the Netflix movie, the episode raised awareness for Drew’s initiative, the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship – a scholarship empowering Black Excellence in the aerospace industry. As a playwright, Lin’s scripts have been workshopped and produced with Women’s Theatre Festival, Miami University, University of Idaho, Actors Theatre of Louisville (PTC) and more. She is a 2020 Pass the Pen nominee at Ashland New Plays Festival, a 2020 ScreenCraft Stay Play Quarterfinalist and a member of the 2020/21 Asian American Arts Alliance Virtual Residency. Read on to learn more about Alex and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
I think I can get caught up a lot in all the harmful things I do/think about myself. The past year instead of trying to cease bad habits and thought patterns, I've tried to practice adding one good thing. I'm a firm believer in not being able to replace something with nothing. For example, I struggle a lot with body image, and most days I look in the mirror and feel very down on myself. Instead of telling myself "stop that!" I try to say one good thing. So yes, maybe today I hate my acne scars, but I can also say "wow, my body is really incredible in the way it tells me what it needs. These scars are proof of how it tries to communicate with me.
Carol Nguyen is a talented 22-year-old filmmaker, based in Toronto and Montreal, who explores the subjects of family, memory and cultural identity within her work. The 2019 documentary, “No Crying at the Dinner Table,” premiered to rave reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) before going on to receive the Jury Prize for Short Documentary at SXSW. Carol’s incredible talent and passion has awarded her recognition as a 2018 Sundance Ignite fellow, Adobe Creativity Scholar and a TIFF Share Her Journey ambassador, a role with a mission to champion female storytellers. Read on to learn more about Carol and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Something that helps me in keeping present and grounded within my mind and body, is going outside every day for at least an hour. It allows me to unplug from whatever I've got going on and I get to fill my lungs with fresh air. By prioritizing time in my day to play (ex: walk, run, skate, bike) outside, I can be every inch of human-simply-BEING that I am. It is time set aside to connect with my breath and celebrate my body for its ability to carry me into whatever this life throws.
Cre8sian Project Scholarship Winner Ella Mariano has been busy this year! Currently she has been working hard on her studies, especially the college level classes, keeping up with chamber and show choir, and focusing on maintaining good mental health. This past winter she also participated in Positively Arts’s Home for the Holidays Spectacular as well as making a video for an Advent Calendar of Holiday Cheer for a young student battling cancer. She’s also working on original music to potentially be released this year! In addition to all of this, The Cre8sian Project is sponsoring vocal lessons for her with Phantom of the Opera Broadway cast member Satomi Hofmann! Keep your eyes open for this #AmazingAsianInTheArts as she continues to reach for the stars!
