I grew up
reading many magazines as a little girl. Always an avid reader and I loved
reading about people’s stories their goals, accomplishments, from the famous to
the average Joe and Janes of the world.
There is one magazine I remember sitting at the hair salon
my grandmother, Carlene would take me to get my hair done and see if her hair
stylist could have someone braid it. I am and was her only granddaughter she
raised 3 boys to become 3 great men so a little girl for her was a blessing she
had a chance to play a part of helping
to raise me. I remember I was about 8 years old around this time and she was
getting me ready to go take a trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We were going
to be visiting family friends. So I was getting my hair in cornrow braids and I
remember sitting underneath the dryer one time and glanced over. I saw the
magazine, Essence Magazine it was probably a summer 1994/1995 issue. I just
remember picking it up and reading the stories. I didn’t know these people yet
but some of the names I remember I was reading about people who I would come to
know very well down the road later on in life.
As I
watched, reading and skimming through the articles, looking at all of the
gorgeous women and men. I remember seeing pictures of Eddie Murphy and his wife
Nicole, pictures of Halle Berry and her ex-husband, David Justice, Spike Lee,
and all of these beautiful faces. A little eight-year old reading about people
who she would later come to admire, respect, and even cross paths with some of
these people when I became an adult. What I admired was seeing these impeccable
beautiful and handsome people, all well accomplished and successful. It struck
a cord with me early on aiming for success and higher achievement. I remember
just seeing all of the fun and creative food recipes, drinks, the clothing,
beauty products. For any African American female young or old she appreciates
the beacon of successful African American women and men’s lifestyles.
That is
what I love the most it was about representation of the “go-getters” and the
movers and shakers. The people who wanted to have their voices heard, their
photos taken, their stories shared, and needed to because when ever their issue
was printed or published to newsstands. There would be some woman or man during
that time period who would read it and could connect to those stories. Essence
Magazine influenced little girls like myself and sparked a passion of writing,
reading, and learning people’s fascinating lives.
The legacy of Essence Magazine is for women and men of color
to believe in achieving your best, most productive, colorful, and beautiful
life.That is the life lall women and men aspire to be and should accomplish for
themselves. For all African Americans it is possible and achievable. I believe
picking up that magazine was a defining moment for me. I am telling the truth
because every time I walked into a hair salon in New York City, New Jersey,
Washington, D.C., or anywhere else in the world. It hooked and sparked my love
of creating, writing, fashion, storytelling, and believing that for all African
Americans and people of African descent you must believe despite setbacks or
challenges everything is achievable and possible. Thank you Essence Magazine,
to all of your staff, stylists, photographers, your editors, freelancers,
writers, and every person who was on the cover who shared their life with
us. Please keep telling us great
stories. Happy 50th Anniversary! and to the next 50 and beyond.
Also can we please give a shout out to the impeccable and
gorgeous woman who is celebrating a milestone birthday, Naomi Campbell who is
their cover girl for the May/June 2020 issue and looks amazing. A big fan of
this supermodel diva who walks like a cheetah on the hunt. She’s a goddess and
so amazing Essence is celebrating their anniversary and she her birthday this
year. Is a beautiful way to commemorate this milestone.
Please visit http://www.essence.com
for more information on their latest issues, upcoming events, and more.
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