Gay Agenda speaks with Recording Artist Jana Mashonee

Jana Mashonee is a GRAMMY Award nominated singer, songwriter and actress. She is Lumbee and Tuscarora, originally from Robeson County, North Carolina, currently residing near New York City. She is currently releasing her music through a joint venture with Standing Stone Records and Sound of America Records. Jana was discovered by GRAMMY nominated producer/songwriter, Rodney Shelton, when Jana was singing funk in her "weekend band" Peace 'N' Love near Charlotte, NC. Shelton recorded a demo of "What I Am To You" and presented it to Curb Records' Mike Curb who immediately signed Jana to his label. Jana has described herself as an "Urban Indian": “ Being an Urban Indian, is to walk in both worlds but not compromise my cultural identity. I cannot ignore who I am and where I came from. I am proud that I can maintain my traditional customs while living in today’s world. ” Jana is also active motivational speaker for Native American youth, supporting such organizations as U.N.I.T.Y. (United Native Indian Tribal Youth), and her own motivational program "Jana's Kids". Jana also designs jewelry in her lines Urban Indian and Indian Spirit, with the profits going directly to her motivational program, "Jana's Kids". Jana graduated with a Bachelor's degree in psychology from prestigious Davidson College in North Carolina.