Chala June (any/all pronouns) is a Congolese-American journalist, culinary storyteller, performer, and cultural artist. Inspired by the rich legacies of storytelling found in their Black, queer, and trans communities, Chala’s journalistic work seeks to examine the ever-shifting landscape of popular culture through a deeply personal and oft-politicized lens. Since graduating from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2018, Chala has emerged as a multidisciplinary artist whose storytelling has come to life through magazines, podcasts, live speaking engagements, and more. Formerly the Associate Print Editor at Bon Appétit, Chala is currently a self-employed freelancer working to create an intentional dialogue about food and cannabis as cultural medicines. 

In their artistic practice, Chala is also a performance poet, most recently a part of the Emerge NYC’s spring 2024 residency cohort. Chala is also a restaurant-trained independent chef, and has curated and collaborated on a number of dining experiences hosted jn New York, California, and Massachusetts. Chala’s culinary style draws largely on the ingredients and flavors of African diaspora, and marries them with globally influenced techniques. 

All of Chala’s work is rooted in the West African concept of Sankofa, a Twi term which means “to go back and get it.  As a descendant of the survivors of chattel slavery and colonial violence on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, Chala remains steadfast in their dedication to using their multifaceted skills and talents to honor the resilience of their ancestors while paving a path forward for the generations to come.