SHAWN RAE

Recognizing with deep respect the interconnectedness of humanity and the world around us, Shawn Rae has devoted his life to uniting people, purpose, and creativity through a seamless blend of compassion, innovation, and global vision.

Shawn has, during the course of his global work, met, interviewed, consulted, or worked with a host of distinguished personalities from A to Z, from Wally Amos (“Famous Amos”) to Arianna Huffington to Fareed Zakaria, and many others in between. He has represented the United States at various national and international events and has been featured in the media speaking on topics such as corporate giving, human rights abuses, matters relating to world trade, technology, and energy-related issues affecting humankind.

He was selected as one of the Top Ten Speakers in the United States for the Conference on American Ingenuity by the U.S. Department of Commerce and was picked as one of four Judges by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and the Intellectual Property Association (IPO). The IPO is comprised of such prestigious members as General Motors, Lockheed, 3M, General Electric, Microsoft, Xerox, Amoco, Rolls-Royce, and other major corporate and multinational leaders.

As the former Global Goodwill Ambassador for the World Energy Forum, headquartered at the United Nations Plaza, Shawn still continues to advance the global conversation on sustainable energy and equitable access in alignment with the principles of Oneness. His work bridges policy, innovation, and human development, guided by the conviction that true progress uplifts humanity and honors our shared responsibility to one another.

Shawn actively supports international organizations, thought leaders, and grassroots initiatives that champion sustainable solutions for energy and human welfare. He promotes cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation, emphasizing that access to clean, reliable energy is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of social equality, dignity, and opportunity for all.

Nicknamed "Bambi" at birth by his relatives and tribe, Shaanshehryar Khan Rae Zagajadōon, known to many as Shawn, spent his early childhood in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains.

This region, marked by centuries of cultural exchange, has witnessed the passage of travelers such as Marco Polo, Alexander the Great, and Genghis Khan, whose journeys left a lasting imprint on its character.

Shawn’s family background reflects the diversity of his homeland. From both parents, he inherited a blend of Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Tibetan, and Chinese heritage.

Growing up in a household where respect for the traditions and beliefs of others was valued, Shawn developed a broad outlook and an appreciation for the richness that different cultures bring.

Shaped by these early influences, Shawn has dedicated his life to erasing the artificial lines that separate us and to advancing a vision of a more compassionate, interconnected world.

In his early teens, Shawn became drawn to the world of fragrance, discovering that entirely new scents could emerge by layering familiar ones. Around the age of twelve, he began experimenting with mixing and matching different fragrances to explore new scent combinations, developing an intuitive understanding of how individual notes interact and evolve, an early curiosity that would later form the creative foundation of the Oneness Perfume line.

Shawn’s creative passions began to converge across multiple disciplines by the time he reached his early teens. Having already taught himself guitar and voice entirely on his own from the age of eight, with no formal music or voice lessons, he progressed to performing in professional bands by fourteen, gaining real-world experience on stage and in live music settings while simultaneously designing his own clothes for performances, using fashion and music together as complementary forms of personal expression.

During this same formative period, Shawn’s growing knowledge of fragrance and his sensitivity to health, style, and beauty were developing alongside his artistic pursuits. This multifaceted background, rooted in scent, music, and personal style from an early age, would eventually lead, in his mid-twenties, to a consultancy with Revlon, long regarded as a global leader in cosmetics innovation with a presence in major markets around the world. In that role as an international consultant, he contributed to the company’s efforts to strengthen and expand its market presence in South Asia, applying his comprehensive expertise across culture, beauty, and consumer experience.

Discipline and Expression: Also beginning in his early teens, Shawn immersed himself in Martial Arts under a Black Belt instructor who had earned his ranking in the United States, a teacher whose philosophy deeply resonated with Shawn’s developing worldview. Rather than focusing solely on physical dominance, this training emphasized loyalty, honor, courage, sincerity, perseverance, and respect for others, nurturing humility, teamwork, and the understanding that there is always more to learn, and reinforcing his emerging sense of oneness and interconnectedness.

These diverse interests in fragrance, music, fashion, and martial arts are unified by a common belief: that personal expression, whether through scent, sound, style, or inner discipline, is deeply individual and deserves to be approached with empathy, care, and understanding. For Shawn, fragrance in particular serves as a bridge between past and present; a single scent can instantly transport someone back to a specific moment or place, awakening the emotions and memories connected to that experience. 

Oneness: A Philosophy Embodied: This philosophy is embodied in Oneness Perfume, a name that reflects the conviction that all people are fundamentally interconnected, and that fragrance, like music, language, and culture, can help build bridges between people, inspire empathy, and contribute to a more harmonious and peaceful world.

Oneness Perfume continues to move forward, guided by an unwavering dedication to quality, expert craftsmanship, and a deep sense of purpose that permeates every aspect of its work. At the heart of this journey is Shawn’s enduring passion for education and his commitment to fostering openness within the fragrance industry. This dedication is especially evident in his forthcoming book, which stands as both a reflection of his lifelong pursuit of knowledge and a gift to those seeking a deeper understanding of the world of scent.

Shawn’s new book offers an immersive and deeply researched exploration of the ever-evolving world of perfumery. It goes far beyond a mere technical guide, delving into the artistry, intricate science, and rich history behind the creation of scent. The narrative traces the remarkable journey of fragrance, beginning with its ancient origins and moving through its development into a powerful force in contemporary culture. Drawing from decades of research, firsthand experience, and collaboration with international experts, Shawn is meticulously updating and expanding on a manuscript last revised in 2018. He is ensuring that this work fully encompasses the latest innovations, the most recent shifts in cultural attitudes, and the cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the global landscape of perfumery today.

A Journey Around The World Of Scent: This comprehensive and thoughtfully crafted volume invites readers to embark on a captivating journey around the world, venturing into the diverse and intricate universe of international perfumery. With each chapter, Shawn uncovers the complex tapestry of beloved fragrances and reveals the fascinating stories that lie behind them. He shines a light on the unique traditions, rare and precious ingredients, and distinctive philosophies that various regions and cultures contribute to this timeless and universal art form. Through vivid storytelling, personal anecdotes, and insightful analysis, readers will encounter both the revered rituals of the past and the bold innovations that define the world’s most celebrated contemporary scents.

The World of Perfumes: A Global Perspective This work delves deeply into how fragrance functions as both a guardian of personal and shared memories and as a powerful bridge that links individuals, communities, and generations. Shawn explores the profound ability of scent to transcend boundaries, capture the essence of place, and celebrate the foundational aspects of our shared human story. As readers journey through these aromatic landscapes, they will come to appreciate that perfumery is not only an expression of creativity and skill, but also a mirror reflecting culture, identity, and the intricate relationships that unite us through the evocative language of scent.

In addition to charting the evolution of fragrance across continents and centuries, the book examines the role scent plays in daily rituals, ceremonies, and moments of connection. Readers will be transported into bustling markets full of exotic raw materials, pristine laboratories where innovation flourishes, and artisanal studios where tradition lives on in every drop. The enduring contributions of legendary perfumers, renowned historians, and influential cultural figures will provide additional depth and perspective, enriching the exploration of how fragrance shapes and is shaped by human experience.

Set for publication in Spring 2027, this landmark book promises to be an essential resource for fragrance enthusiasts, industry professionals, and curious readers alike. It stands as an inspiring tribute to the world of fragrance in all its complexity, diversity, and beauty, inviting everyone to discover the extraordinary stories and connections hidden within every bottle.

In the realm of music, Shawn has collaborated closely with Charles Calello, the world-famous and legendary arranger, conductor, and record producer whose career includes more than one hundred Billboard charted recordings, thirty-eight of which reached the Top Ten. Calello has arranged and produced for artists such as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Bruce Springsteen, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Natalie Cole, B. B. King, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, Liza Minnelli, Michael Bolton, and Ariana Grande, among many others.

By the time Shawn and Charles Calello began working together, Shawn's voice and interpretive style had been shaped by years of self-directed study and live performance, beginning with guitar and vocals he taught himself without formal music or voice lessons from the age of eight. Over time, he developed a vocal approach that had the depth of experience and individuality that first drew Calello's attention and moved him in the quiet and certain way that genuine artistic sincerity has always moved those with the ears to hear it, and it was this combination of authenticity and artistry that merited his support as arranger and musical director.

Charles Calello serves as the principal arranger of nearly all of Shawn Rae’s recordings, including the powerful rendition of If We Ruled The World. Under Calello’s musical direction, Shawn recorded a romance album of classic love songs titled A World of Romance, A Time to Fall in Love, showcasing his emotive, story-driven vocal style. Calello later arranged A World Christmas, Love Knows No Borders, which included a duet with Deana Martin, daughter of American musical icon Dean Martin. The album's title itself reflects a conviction that has guided Shawn's entire artistic journey, that love, like music, recognizes no boundaries.

Calello has offered the following reflections on Shawn’s artistry: “Shawn is charismatic, bright, innovative, courageous, and certainly in a class by himself.” He further observes, “His voice has rich, euphonious qualities, incredible range, and depth, giving the songs he chooses a sensual and romantic quality. Shawn paints vocal pictures that tell stories, not just songs, distinctive yet reminiscent of the greats.”

The Christmas album received international exposure and acclaim from media, radio, print, and television during Shawn’s Interfaith Harmony Tour to Europe, the Vatican, the Middle East, and South Asia, which emphasized themes of unity and compassion through music. The tour brought Shawn before audiences of diverse cultures, faiths, and traditions, each finding in his music a common thread of longing, hope, and shared humanity.

Conducting from the podium, Charles Calello assembled a roster of elite studio musicians, including Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated players. The Christmas album project was recorded in three Grammy-winning studios, mixing and mastering houses. This level of musicianship and production reflects the standard that naturally follows an arranger with one of the most extensive hit-making histories in popular music.

Calello’s collaboration has brought depth, elegance, and emotional resonance to Shawn’s recordings, allowing the music to reflect Shawn’s belief that melody and story can truly uplift the heart, soften boundaries, and inspire a sense of shared humanity across cultures and faiths, reaching listeners not merely as entertainment but as a gentle and sincere invitation toward a more peaceful and compassionate world.

Shawn’s artistic journey continues with two new musical releases:

If I Ruled the World (SHAWN RAE “WE” VERSION): an anthem of global harmony and external liberation, envisioning a world of dignity, joy, and sovereignty for all, and what a healed world could be.

100% of the artist's net proceeds, after required platform and publishing fees, will be donated to vetted organizations fighting modern human slavery and trafficking.

Breakin’ Out! is a powerful call to personal and collective liberation for those freeing themselves from systems, conditioning, and relationships that silence their spirit.

(Also donating 100% of net proceeds also go to vetted organizations fighting modern human slavery and trafficking.)

These songs were not created as commercial ventures, but as contributions to a larger awakening and a reminder that millions trapped in modern-day slavery are denied both internal and external freedom.

Extending the Oneness mission into tangible change, 10% of net profits from all perfumes, music, merchandise, and future products will also be directed to these vetted human freedom organizations.

This commitment provides a way for listeners and supporters to participate directly in the work of rehabilitation and dignity.

True Oneness cannot exist while any human remains enslaved.

The Core Logic of Oneness

Oneness isn’t just a spiritual concept; it’s a lived reality. When any human being is stripped of their freedom and dignity through slavery or trafficking, the entire human family is diminished. How can we speak of unity and interconnection while ignoring the most fundamental violation of human dignity occurring in our world today?

Oneness and the Human Race

While many influences on the understanding of one human race are well known, including civil rights movements and scientific advances, other areas of research have also helped shape this perspective.

1. Studies of Human Culture: Cultural researchers helped challenge earlier attempts to divide humanity into separate biological races or to associate physical characteristics, such as skull shape, with intelligence, morality, or human worth. Their work showed that human development is influenced by complex relationships among ancestry, environment, history, and culture. Human differences are real, but they do not establish separate levels or categories of humanity.

2. Genetic Research: International genome research involving scientists and participants from China, Japan, Nigeria, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Germany has reinforced how closely related all human beings are. At the level of individual DNA letters, people are commonly described as approximately 99.9% genetically identical. The small amount of variation contributes to human diversity, but it does not divide humanity into separate biological races.

3. Shared Genealogical Ancestry: Separate mathematical modeling published in the scientific journal Nature by researchers associated with MIT and Yale suggests that the family trees of everyone alive today may converge within only the last few thousand years. One model placed the most recent shared genealogical ancestor at approximately 1500 BCE, possibly in East Asia. This does not identify a particular person. It illustrates how recently and extensively human family lines may overlap, including populations separated by great distances and long periods of relative isolation.

Together, cultural research, international genetic studies, and genealogical modeling reinforce a simple understanding: Human diversity is real and valuable, not as evidence of separate races, but as part of the richness of one human race.

This perspective is also deeply rooted in historical struggles for equality, philosophical teachings on human dignity, and cultural and spiritual expressions that have promoted human unity across civilizations.

These many influences continue to support efforts to foster greater inclusion, understanding, and awareness of our shared humanity.

Slavery: The Anti-Oneness

And Oneness is not just words. It must live in action. That is why human slavery and trafficking have been placed at the center of this work, because they represent the very opposite of Oneness. Oneness means dignity, equality, and freedom. Slavery strips all of that away. To traffickers, people are reduced to property, treated as less than human, sold, and discarded. Some are even kept alive only for their body parts, kidneys, organs, parceled out for profit while they continue to suffer. This is not just exploitation, it is the most inhuman and horrific denial of what it means to be human.

The Deeper Mission of Oneness

This isn’t just about ending slavery; it’s about using the fight against slavery as a doorway to greater consciousness. When people join this cause, they are not just helping victims; they’re developing the empathy and awareness that leads to harmony across all life.

By engaging with this mission, individuals embark on a transformative journey within themselves. The act of standing against the gravest injustices compels us to reflect on our own values and the interconnected nature of our existence. It encourages us to look beyond surface differences and to recognize our shared vulnerabilities, hopes, and aspirations. Through this process, the fight for freedom becomes a catalyst for the growth of compassion, not only for those directly affected, but for all beings who suffer or are marginalized.

The ultimate aim is to awaken a sense of responsibility that transcends borders and personal interests. Oneness calls us to expand our circle of care, to include not just those close to us, but every member of our global family. This vision of unity is not passive; it demands that we act, speak out, and support the fundamental rights and dignity of every human being. Only by doing so can we hope to build a world in which true Oneness is realized.

At its heart, the message is simple: Oneness = We are all one race. The human race.