Essence Makes History With ‘Black Lives Matter’ Cover
Essence, one of the nation’s leading black women’s magazines, made history with the release of their February issue. Instead of featuring a cover model, the editorial team chose to turn their complete attention to a dominating topic in the black community: Black Lives Matter.
The issue heavily focuses on prominent black women in the “Black Lives Matter” movement such as Angela Davis, Susan L. Taylor, Melissa Harris-Perry, Isabel Wilkerson, Michelle Alexander, Chirlane McCray and more. It was an important move by Essence given that the #blacklivesmatter hashtag and campaign was founded by three black women: organizers Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi.
According to Essence magazine’s editor-in-chief, Vanessa K. De Luca, the special collector’s edition marks the first time in 45 years of history where a model was not featured on the magazine’s cover.
“Pictures are powerful, but so are words,” De Luca said. “The protests, sit-ins, marches and social media campaigns that have been born out of our collective grief have given you an opportunity to express your outrage, show your support for the victims and their families whose lives have been forever changed, and forge alliance with like-minded indivuals who also believe that it is time for a change.”
The February 2015 issue of Essence hits newsstands Friday, Jan. 9!
(Photo Credit: Essence)
