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Why Nyakim Gatwech Is a Game Changer for ELIXIR by Royel
ELIXIR by Royel
Today’s world is anything but normal. While some of the recent unexpected events are unneeded and unwanted, there is one uprising that is long overdue. The passionate calls around the world for social justice and racial equity are important and are creating real change. For Mitchell Royel, CEO of ELIXIR by Royel, that calls for a game-changing cover.
ELIXIR by Royel is a noncommercial, handmade digital magazine that features themed open letters and recycled photos from young tastemakers. While each issue of ELIXIR includes a diverse cast of contributors, Mitchell Royel has become known for featuring “preppy” Caucasian boys on his cover, such as Thomas Kuc from Nickelodeon’s Game Shakers, professional Hawaiian surfer Koa Smith and Devon Werkheiser who starred in Nickelodeon’s Neds Declassified School Survival Guide.
That’s what makes the August 2020 issue of ELIXIR, the High Society Issue, so groundbreaking. For the first time ever, a model of African descent will be featured on the cover of ELIXIR by Royel. Nyakim Gatwech is the perfect model to represent the issue, which will focus on the themes of social justice, combating racism in society, and the pros and cons of privilege.
Nyakim Gatwech’s story is unique and powerful. Her parents lived in Maiwut, South Sudan, before they fled the South Sudanese civil war to Gambela, Ethiopia where Gatwech was born. From there, they migrated to Kenya where they lived in refugee camps until they finally migrated to the U.S. when she was 14 years old.
Since then, Nyakim Gatwech has built a large following of over 900,000 fans on Instagram. They are inspired by her self-love and honest depiction of her self-esteem challenges and triumphs. Sadly, she has received comments from people trying to convince her to bleach her skin to lighten it. But thankfully, Gatwech has learned to embrace her beauty and pigmentation with love and support from her fans. Gatwech has even been nicknamed the “Queen of the Dark,” in reference to her beautiful dark skin.
It is this powerful story that makes Nyakim Gatwech such a great choice for the next issue of ELIXIR by Royel. Mitchell Royel’s decision to feature Gatwech reflects the positive direction in which he is steering ELIXIR. With the state of today’s society, he believes it’s up to each of us to confront the issues of racism, privilege and social justice head-on.
Mitchell Royel is known for being outspoken about issues pertaining to social justice and recently received the “Advancement to Cultural Diversity Award” from thecrushfashion.com. He’s been eager to bring his support of diversity and inclusion to ELIXIR by Royel and hopes readers will respond well to this change. Readers are likely accustomed to seeing handsome, white men on the cover ever since Royel launched ELIXIR in 2014. Royel hopes they will be just as excited to see the beautiful and fearless Nyakim Gatwech on this historic cover and join in the fight for social justice.
For those interested in viewing Nyakim Gatwech’s cover and reading stories on social justice, the High Society Issue of ELIXIR by Royel will be available to browse for free in August 2020 at elixirbyroyel.com.
Photography & Makeup Credits:
Lola O, @lola_o
Kauwuane Burton, @kauwuane
Harper Harrison is a reporter for The Hear UP. Harper got an internship at the NPR and worked as a reporter and producer. harper has also worked as a reporter for the Medium. Harper covers health and science for The Hear UP.