Essence (magazine)

Essence (magazine) is a monthly magazine that focuses on African American culture, lifestyle, and entertainment, founded by Edward Lewis, Clarence O. Smith, Cerita Battles, and Jonathan Blount. The magazine was first published in May 1970 and has since become one of the most popular and influential African American-oriented magazines in the United States, with a circulation of over 1 million copies per month, rivaling other popular magazines such as Ebony, Jet, and Vibe. Essence has featured prominent African American figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, and Barack Obama on its cover, and has been praised for its coverage of African American issues and culture, including topics such as civil rights, Black Power, and Afrofuturism. The magazine has also been recognized for its contributions to the African American community, including its support for organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Black Lives Matter movement.

● History

The history of Essence dates back to the late 1960s, when Edward Lewis and his partners, Clarence O. Smith, Cerita Battles, and Jonathan Blount, conceived the idea of creating a magazine that would cater to the interests and needs of African American women, similar to other popular women's magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Vogue. The first issue of Essence was published in May 1970, with a circulation of 50,000 copies, and featured Diana Ross on its cover, as well as articles on topics such as feminism, civil rights, and Black Power. Over the years, Essence has undergone several changes in ownership and editorial direction, including a period of ownership by Time Inc., which also owns other popular magazines such as People and Entertainment Weekly. In 2018, Essence was acquired by Sandra Yancy, a businesswoman and African American entrepreneur, who has continued to publish the magazine with a focus on African American culture and lifestyle, including coverage of events such as the BET Awards and the NAACP Image Awards.

● Content and Features

Essence features a wide range of content, including articles on fashion, beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle, as well as profiles of prominent African American figures such as Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and Langston Hughes. The magazine also includes regular columns and features, such as the popular "Beauty" section, which showcases the latest fashion trends and beauty products, and the "Entertainment" section, which features interviews with African American celebrities such as Will Smith, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé. Essence has also been recognized for its coverage of African American issues and culture, including topics such as police brutality, systemic racism, and Black Lives Matter, and has featured articles by prominent African American writers and thinkers such as Ta-Nehisi Coates, Angela Davis, and Cornel West. The magazine has also partnered with other organizations and media outlets, such as CNN, NBC News, and The New York Times, to provide coverage of major events and issues affecting the African American community, including the 2016 United States presidential election and the 2020 United States presidential election.

● Circulation and Impact

Essence has a circulation of over 1 million copies per month, making it one of the most widely read African American-oriented magazines in the United States, with a readership that includes prominent African American figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, and Barack Obama. The magazine has also been recognized for its impact on African American culture and lifestyle, and has been credited with helping to promote African American fashion, beauty, and entertainment to a wider audience, including through its annual Essence Music Festival, which features performances by prominent African American musicians such as Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z. Essence has also been praised for its coverage of African American issues and culture, and has been recognized as one of the most influential African American-oriented magazines in the United States, along with other publications such as The Crisis, Jet, and Ebony.

● Awards and Recognition

Essence has received numerous awards and recognition for its coverage of African American issues and culture, including several National Magazine Awards and American Society of Magazine Editors awards, as well as recognition from organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Congressional Black Caucus. The magazine has also been recognized for its contributions to the African American community, including its support for organizations such as the United Negro College Fund and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and has been praised by prominent African American figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, and Barack Obama for its coverage of African American issues and culture. Essence has also been recognized as one of the most influential African American-oriented magazines in the United States, and has been featured in other media outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, and NBC News.

● Editors and Contributors

Essence has had several editors and contributors over the years, including Susan L. Taylor, who served as the magazine's editor-in-chief from 1981 to 2000, and Angela Burt-Murray, who served as the magazine's editor-in-chief from 2000 to 2010, as well as prominent African American writers and thinkers such as Ta-Nehisi Coates, Angela Davis, and Cornel West. The magazine has also featured articles and profiles by prominent African American journalists and writers, such as Nicholas Kristof, Sarah Kendzior, and Glenn Greenwald, and has included contributions from other notable figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, and Barack Obama. Essence has also partnered with other organizations and media outlets, such as CNN, NBC News, and The New York Times, to provide coverage of major events and issues affecting the African American community.

● Controversies and Criticisms

Essence has faced several controversies and criticisms over the years, including criticism for its coverage of African American issues and culture, as well as its portrayal of African American women and men, including criticism from prominent African American figures such as Bell Hooks and Cornel West. The magazine has also faced criticism for its advertising and editorial content, including criticism from organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Congressional Black Caucus, and has been accused of perpetuating stereotypes and negative images of African American people, including criticism from other media outlets such as The New York Times and CNN. Despite these controversies, Essence remains one of the most widely read and influential African American-oriented magazines in the United States, with a circulation of over 1 million copies per month, and continues to be recognized for its contributions to the African American community, including its support for organizations such as the United Negro College Fund and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Category:African American culture