Feature: Writer & Cook Kai Cedras

Kaija “Kai” Cedras (they/them, she/her) is a fantasy writer and cook currently living in Portland, OR where they work for All African People's Revolutionary Party (AAPRP). They are mixed Black (South African/Khoisan), genderqueer, and bisexual, and they love to express their identity through art.

Writing has been a way for Kai to explore different worlds and possibilities since they were a child. They’ve always loved the freedom and creativity in seeing oneself in magical, otherworldly circumstances that come from writing fantasy. Prior to the pandemic, Kai was consistently working in restaurants where they were able to grow their culinary skills and love for food. Cooking has always connected them to their family and ancestors as they learn more about their histories. 

Kai has many ambitions regarding their writing, art, and cooking that haven’t been fulfilled yet, but is hard at work to create spaces that help make fellow QTPOC feel welcome in epic fantasy and culinary spaces. They hope to share their art soon and are currently working on a project combining their interests in cooking and fiction. In the meantime, they are active on both Twitter and Instagram as @gamirodi where any project updates will be posted.

When asked about what their work means to them, Kai shares the following:

"I don’t know how I would function if I couldn’t tell stories. My work is meaningful to me because stories help us to explore the depth of ourselves; can give us excitement and happiness even in hard times. It’s this same exploration that I’m able to find when I cook, when I learn who I am through the foods that my parents made for me, that my grandmother would make for my father as the youngest child, attached to her by the hip."

"Writing fantasy and cooking are quite different passions, yet are both incredibly important to me. They’re so meaningful to me because they help me express who I am."

You can support Kai by following them on Instagram (@gamirodi)!

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Sacrosanct is a community blog that amplifies the voices and art of LGBTQ2IA+ BIPOC. As a digital space for marginalized folks to self-define, self-actualize, and heal, Sacrosanct is firmly situated at the core of intersectionality while also providing mental health and community resources made for and by LGBTQ2IA+ BIPOC. To fund these LGBTQ2IA+ BIPOC artists for their contributions to the platform, consider leaving a donation here and follow Sacrosanct on Instagram and Facebook.