PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) named hip-hop mogul, Russell Simmons, its 2011 Person of the Year. Simmons, who has graced the cover of Elevated Existence twice, joins previous winners, Oprah, Ellen Degeneres and Former President Clinton.

Known for his daily practice of both yoga and Transcendental Meditation, Simmons is a devoted vegan who only eats plant-based products, and has done so for at least 10 years, according to an article on GlobalGrind.com.

“The horrible abuse of animals is the worst karmic disaster in the history of human kind,” Simmons said as he accepted the award. “The work that PETA does to combat this catastrophe is amazing. I’m truly humbled to be chosen as this year’s Person of the Year, but the praise should go to the hundreds of thousands of volunteers that are on the ground doing the work. I accept this honor on their behalf.”

Simmons will also be featured in PETA’s limited-edition sheet of U.S. postage PhotoStamps showing vegetarians throughout history, according to Global Grind.

Congratulations Russell Simmons!! For more information, visit www.peta.org.

To preview the past issues of Elevated Existence featuring Russell Simmons, visit our Archives section.