Lux Nigra (Scrilla Guerillaz West): Bridging the Gap in California's Entertainment Scene

In a groundbreaking partnership, New York native serial entrepreneur Jesse "Daze" Swindell and Long Beach native entrepreneur Ladaro "Monsta Yo" Pennix have joined forces to launch Lux Nigra (Scrilla Guerillaz West), a new entertainment business firm set to shake up the industry and connect the dots in California.

With over 20 years of experience in the entertainment business, Jesse "Daze" Swindell brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. From rubbing shoulders with moguls like Russell Simmons and 50 Cent to mentoring aspiring artists from the streets, Daze has seen it all. Teaming up with Ladaro "Monsta Yo" Pennix, a businessman and recording artist with collaborations alongside Snoop Dogg and Young Buck and more, their vision for Lux Nigra (Scrilla Guerillaz West) is clear: to establish upcoming artists as professionals in the industry while fostering community progression.

Jesse (Daze) Swindell

Based in the heart of Los Angeles, Lux Nigra (Scrilla Guerillaz West) aims to reconstruct the dynamics of the entertainment industry by providing artists with the tools and resources they need to succeed. But their mission doesn't stop there. The duo is committed to building social awareness through community outreach programs for youth, making a positive impact beyond the realm of entertainment. Additionally, they are structuring common ties with local businesses, fostering relationships aimed at community progression.

Ladaro (Monsta Yo) Pennix

Aside from being a businessman, Monsta Yo is also the brand ambassador for the Leo Lion Club Foundation, a non-profit organization that introduces art to autistic children, which speaks volumes about his dedication to giving back to the community. Together with Daze, they are poised to make a significant difference in Los Angeles and beyond.

For a glimpse into Lux Nigra's (Scrilla Guerillaz West) first inaugural collaborated event, don't miss Issue 32 of Scrilla Guerillaz Magazine available in digital and print. The "World Class Mic Showdown," was just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey with Lux Nigra (Scrilla Guerillaz West) at the forefront. Get ready, because the way of the people has arrived.

"Justice Denied: Travis Leiby's Four-Year Ordeal of Wrongful Incarceration in New Jersey"

In the heart of New Jersey, amidst the bustling streets of Trenton NJ, a nightmare unfolded for Travis Leiby, a 35-year-old man whose life was turned upside down by a series of grave injustices. Accused of a crime he did not commit during the height of a pandemic, Leiby endured four years of wrongful incarceration, a harrowing journey through a corrupt legal system that failed to uphold his rights and deliver justice.

Travis and his nephew AJ

The ordeal began in January of 2020, when a crime rocked the streets of Trenton. Despite the absence of physical evidence linking Leiby to the scene, he found himself ensnared in a web of suspicion cast by shady detectives desperate to pin the crime on someone. Relying on coerced and inconsistent statements from non-credible witnesses, these detectives manipulated the narrative to fit their preconceived notions, disregarding the truth in their relentless pursuit of a conviction.

Leiby and his sister were arrested in March of 2020, thrust into a catastrophic nightmare from which there seemed to be no escape. Trapped within the confines of a New Jersey County Correctional Facility, Leiby faced a relentless onslaught of challenges. Overcrowded, dangerous, and inhumane living conditions plagued the correctional facilities where he is held captive, exacerbating the mental and emotional toll of his wrongful imprisonment. The loss of a child and the dissolution of his engagement added further anguish to Leiby's already burdened soul, driving him to the brink of despair.

As Leiby languished in captivity, the wheels of justice ground to a halt, mired in bureaucratic red tape and political agendas. In New Jersey, where over 90% of criminal cases are resolved through plea agreements, the pursuit of truth took a backseat to expediency, leaving countless innocent individuals languishing behind bars. A corrupt system, driven by profit and power, perpetuated the cycle of mass incarceration, ensnaring the vulnerable in its grasp.

However, a glimmer of hope emerged on April 21, 2021, when the true perpetrator of the crime for which Leiby is accused came forward. This individual confessed not only to the crime Leiby is being held for but also to 11 other shootings with 10 listed still as unsolved heinous crimes. Adding weight to his confession, the perpetrator was caught with the weapon used in the shooting, providing irrefutable evidence of his guilt. Despite this revelation, Leiby remained incarcerated, his cries for justice falling on deaf ears.

As Leiby continues to fight for his freedom, his story serves as a stark reminder of the flaws and injustices that plague the criminal justice system. With each passing day, he clings to hope, steadfast in his belief in his innocence and his unwavering determination to reclaim his life. As he endures the hardships of incarceration, Leiby remains a beacon of resilience, a symbol of the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity. And as the world watches, his fight for justice echoes far beyond the confines of his prison cell, calling attention to the urgent need for reform in a system that has failed countless individuals like him.

More fun times from Travis and AJ

If you would like to help Travis Leiby in his fight against this criminal injustice, especially as he approaches his pre-trial status conference this upcoming March 1st, you can support by donating to his GoFundMe, purchasing a "JusticeForTrav" t-shirt or just by simply sending prayers and good wishes for his continued journey.

Travis Leiby

JailCode: 23700688

Essex County Correctional Facility

354 Doremus Ave

Newark, NJ 07105

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The Roe vs Wade overturn, and the people effected by it!

In 1962, Malcolm X said “The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.” Who knew that we’d continue on a path that make actions that would continue to disproportionately negatively impact Black women and other women of color.

Since the highest court in the United States of America, the Supreme Court, made the highly consequential decision to strike down the women’s right to an abortion, waves of this impact have already reached many women personally. Some states have gone so far as to banning abortion completely with no exceptions for cases such as risk to the welfare of the mother, rape, incest etc. We’ve seen the marches with plenty of white faces fighting against this but what I hope is not loss on you is that Black and brown women carry the brunt of hardship when it comes to access to abortions. Easily googled statistics by creditable sources will unambiguously tell you that abortion restrictions, in some states, directly impact Black, brown, indigenous people and those trying to make ends meet. You see, overturning Roe v. Wade isn’t only sexist but racist.

This is exacerbating an already horrific reality around maternal health disparities that disproportionately affect Black women. Black women are 3x more likely to die from pregnancy-related cause than white women and experience discrimination, negligence, lack of access to care, support, and adequate wages to mitigate these threats on their livelihood.

Jessica Virgille

It would be remiss if sentiments of opposing parties weren’t mentioned. Some argue that this is the United States’ way of ensuring that we continue to make babies to replenish the working population for the future. Economists have studied trends of declining child birth rates and how that will impact a society’s ability to stay a dominate force and stay competitive with economic growth, productivity, as well as the fiscal sustainability of current social insurance programs.

Then there is the argument that God would want the life of a baby preserved even in its unborn state and at any time in gestation. Arguing that if a woman or even a child is pregnant it would be a sin to “kill” the baby. Yet, I posit that God is “Pro-Choice.” If you subscribe to Christianity, Islam, Judaism and more you know of God giving man the power of free will. The gift of choice. Whether you agree with abortion or not you simply must accept that God gave us choice and the courts/the government should not and cannot tell a woman what to do with her body- that is her choice. The decision lies between the w{omb}man, her personal faith and her doctor. No man, nor governing body should have any power over her choice.

Moreover, there’s those that argue that people of color having abortions is all part of the white supremacy plan to obliterate other races. That having an abortion is “helping” nationalist and supremacist wipe out Black and brown life.

What we do know is that the fight for women’s reproductive rights is happening now. Voting throughout the nation will impact which states will protect the right to an abortion and which will place bans or restrictions. Men and Women need to come together to uphold the woman’s right to choose what is in the best interest of her wellness, maternal health and anything that pertains to her. This is the time for men to join the fight in support of women’s rights. This is the time for women to stand in solidarity for having the autonomy to decide what is in her best interest.

Jessica Virgille, MPH Certified Public Health Educator, United States Army Veteran