During the Spring Equinox, I had the honor of being a part of a part of the 5th edition of "Life As Ceremony" to speak about my experience on sex/sexuality/sensuality. Created by Alice Baca after being inspired by a women's circle, these magazine series are one of the most beautiful spreads I've seen that include personal stories of trauma and resiliency along with ways we can practice self and collective care, from plant medicine to sister circles. I collaborated with artist Chief Lady Bird to portray a visual of my story. Since my piece was called "A Flower To Bloom", or "Portal to the Cosmos", she captured a women being the connection between these multiple realms. I hope that other women can see themselves in her as she reclaims her power. To see more work by Chief Lady Bird, follow her on Tumblr or Instagram @chiefladybird!

Purchase the magazine directly here: Life As Ceremony Vol.5 • Spring/Summer 2018

@chiefladybird: Excited to share this piece, which I’ve lovingly titled ⭐️Yoni⭐️ in response to @jumakae’s written offering “A Flower To Bloom” for @life_as_ceremony’s upcoming issue ❤️ so stoked on this collaboration and so honoured that I was aske… — @chiefladybird: Excited to share this piece, which I’ve lovingly titled ⭐️Yoni⭐️ in response to @jumakae’s written offering “A Flower To Bloom” for @life_as_ceremony’s upcoming issue ❤️ so stoked on this collaboration and so honoured that I was asked to create this piece.
Censored against my will because y’all hate female nipples for some unknown reason. #chiefladybirdart #lifeasceremony #reclaimyourpower #yoni #illustration #woc #empower #bodypositive #effyourbeautystandards

Also, Happy Womxn's History Month! Check out this feature I was involved in with other badass Los Angeles based artists, curated by Tom Nguyen, founder/creator or EnClave LA. Enclave LA is a progressive site that believes in being responsible members of the communities we live in, participate in and visit. We cover cultural entertainment and emerging artists, as well as social justice and grassroots issues important in our communities.

By TOM NGUYEN:

For Womxn’s History Month, I wanted to check in with womxn artists of color in Los Angeles who are doing important work in our communities of color and immigrant diaspora, advocating for social justice and using their artistry and voices to uplift, educate and empower.

Alice Bag, Dj Sizzle Fantastic, Faith Santilla, Gingee, Klassy, Jumakae, Maya Jupiter, Sri Panchalam of Doctors & Engineers, Xochi Flores of Los Cambalache — These radical womxn of color are outspoken and fearless in their arts & advocacy, and through their artistic expression and activism, have been tireless in their fight to smash systems of oppression and the patriarchy. I asked each of these powerful, radical womxn of color to reflect on these 3 questions:

– As you reflect on Women’s History Month, #MeToo movement and the current political climate, what do you feel are the most important issues facing you, both individually and collectively as a community?

– As a radical womxn of color and artist, how do you express and/or address these issues in your art & activism?

– What advice do you have for young womxn or advice you wish someone had given you?

Jumakae:

“My greatest challenge is learning how to not be so reactionary toward issues that trigger me (Hint: Trump). It’s just not sustainable for my mind, body, and spirit so I have been seeking ways to walk this world in a way that focuses on my well-being, especially with work centered around reproductive health since this is where so much sexual trauma is stored. While it’s important we are aware of systemic issues that trickle down to communities that may not have as much access to wellness resources, being aware of how these issues show up in our body is just as important. Our health often becomes secondary in activism work, so I feel a collective challenge is recognizing it’s okay to slow down and remember to breathe, especially in times of uncertainty and chaos.”

“As an artist, wellness consultant, and life coach I collaborate with different organizations on creative projects and staff retreats centered around self/collective care and liberation. I invite participants to envision the kind of world they want to live in versus the one they want to dismantle, and to recognize that we are the rescue we’ve been waiting for. Movement is always included so we learn how to drop from our heads (intellect) to our heart (emotions), allowing our bodies to be felt in the process. While trauma is intergenerational, so is resiliency. This becomes the focus of transformational healing as we remember the journey it took for our ancestors to birth us into existence. I also organize community workshops and special events centered around wellness, from hosting a film screening and discussion featuring birth workers of color to self-healing techniques for womb health. My next workshop is around how to respond to triggers using Emotional Freedom Tapping Techniques! I find joy in bringing exposure to local healers and entrepreneurs doing radical healing work because this work cannot be done alone.”

“Being radical doesn’t mean having to be a community organizer or showing up to protests to show that you care. Existing in the body of a woman of color is a radical act within itself. In a world that profits from your insecurities, loving yourself is a radical act. Your joy is a revolutionary and radical act; anger can be a beautiful thing until it manifests into sickness. Tears are a sign of strength. Stay woke, but not to the point where there’s no room for those who have yet to awaken. And while those who came before you have experienced struggle, remember you come from a long line of resiliency. You are a beautiful badass.”

To read the full article and interviews with other badass womxn, visit HERE.