Share Us
-
Category Archives: Essence Magazine
You Are A Star From Essence Magazine
We love our celebrities here at ESSENCE. This month our annual Black Women in Hollywood celebration is plump with stars in several fields. We think it’s a privilege to host them in our issue, and we are honored to have them grace the cover of our magazine read by 7.5 million Black women—including you. My hope is that ESSENCE will always inspire you to be the star in your own life.Over the past four decades, we’ve cheered many astounding superstars in our pages, among them First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Toni Morrison, Dr. Mae Jemison, Lena Horne, Faye Wattleton, Alice Walker, Dr. Betty Shabazz, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson, Nancy Wilson, Iman, Janet Jackson, Grace Jones, LaTanya Richardson, Alek Wek, Jada Pinkett Smith, Nia Long, Naomi Campbell, Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill and Kerry Washington.
In this issue, in addition to Washington, we are pleased to add producer Shonda Rhimes and PR strategist Judy Smith. Rhimes, the creative vision behind Grey’s Anatomy and other hits, is arguably the most powerful Black woman in Hollywood and one of the most sought-after writers and producers in entertainment. Smith, a lawyer based in Washington, D.C., has risen to the top of her game helping clients like Marion Jones and Kobe Bryant when they have been caught up in a media firestorm. In fact, Smith is the inspiration for Rhimes’s new TV show, Scandal, starring Washington and debuting on ABC in April…
Are You Searching For A New Hair Style?
“I’m in love with wigs. I get them custom-made, and I have my hairstylist shape them to my head. I can go from short to long in less than a minute!” –KELLY ROWLAND”
ESSENCE editors have always understood the passionate relationship African-American women have with their hair. After a successful debut last fall, ESSENCE presents its 2nd annual Hot Hair Issue-featuring gorgeous songstress Kelly Rowland on the cover!
In Hot Hair, ESSENCE’s beauty editors once again teamed up to provide readers with even more of what they crave, including over 300 great styles, hot colors, top salons, editors’ faves and the ultimate natural hair guide.
In this special issue, the spotlight is on the former Destiny’s Child singer who is having the time of her life with concerts and her duties as an “X Factor” judge in the UK. Here, Rowland dishes to ESSENCE about her fiery hot career, her own hair evolution over the years, and the one hair accessory she can’t live without! The Hot Hair issue hits newsstands on October 13th.
Also, are you searching for a new hair style?
From Essence Magazine
Essence Magazine Hires a White Fashion Director
In not-so shocking news, the magazine I grew up reading with my mom (don’t judge me) now has a white fashion director. I wish her well, but isn’t there ONE woman of color who was qualified? Read the rest for more details on the major move…
You get the feeling Essence is becoming desperate. In my earlier Facebook notes, I wrote about my love for a trascendent piece of media that seemed to withstand the tests of time.
Now, I’m feeling a bit different.
I can’t be too mad. In May, I read a brilliant article published in the Atlanta Post that documented the delirious failure of Honey Magazine, which was once upon a time, Essence’s competition.
I get the feeling Essence doesn’t want to die. That’s a good thing, but at what cost? Clutch Magazine outlined the issue here:
“In 2000, media giant Time Warner acquired 49 percent of Essence Communications Partners, and in 2005, the conglomerate purchased the remaining 51 percent. The news was met with a strong contention by the Black community who viewed the transaction as yet another Black business takeover. Time Warner’s purchase of the beloved Essence brand came on the heels of Viacom’s acquisition of the Black Entertainment Television. Essence and Time Warner have yet to officially announce the hiring, but media site, Media Bistro released an article on Monday revealing the pick is Ellianna Placas, formerly of O: The Oprah Magazine and US Weekly. The report confirms Placas will make her official debut with Essence in their 40th anniversary commemorative September issue.”
So did Time Warner push the hire of Placas? Who knows…
Will Placas’ expertise push Essence into new genres and save the magazine? She just might. With a new perspective, it may bring attention to other nationalities and cultures; uniting women for a better cause (and profit).
But at this point, does it matter? It was supposed to be a magazine for black women… Maybe things are changing. The question is, is it for better or worse?
