Essence (stylized in all caps) is an American monthly lifestyle magazine covering fashion, beauty, entertainment, and culture. First published in 1970, the magazine is written for African-American women.

History

Edward Lewis, Clarence O. Smith, Cecil Hollingsworth and Jonathan Blount founded Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) in 1968. It began publishing Essence magazine in May 1970. Lewis and Smith called the publication a "lifestyle magazine directed at upscale African American women". They recognized that black women were an overlooked demographic and saw Essence as an opportunity to capitalize on a virtually untouched market of black women readers. Gordon Parks served as its editorial director during the first three years of its circulation.

In 2000, Time Inc. purchased 49 percent of Essence Communications Inc.

In 2005, Time Inc. made a deal with Essence Communications Inc. to purchase the remaining 51 percent. The deal placed the ownership of the 34-year-old Essence magazine, one of the United States' leading magazines for women of color, under widespread ownership, rather than black ownership. In January 2018, the magazine returned to a fully black-owned publication after its acquisition by Richelieu Dennis, the founder of Sundial Brands.

In 2020, Black Female Anonymous, a group made up of former and possibly current Essence employees, published a Medium article alleging sexual harassment claims against Dennis, as well as egregious claims of bullying and mistreatment of employees by members of the C-Suite. Following the Medium post, an investigation was launched into the claims.

As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, Essence furloughed staff in 2020 after receiving a PPP loan from the government.

Contents

In "Black Womanhood: Essence and its Treatment of Stereotypical Images of Black Women," professors stated that diverse images of black women are not often included in white magazines and media but that those black women can see themselves in different lights in Essence. The magazine has covered topics from family, to social issues in the African-American community, African-American women in the military, and being HIV positive. Celebrities including Michelle Obama and the late Whitney Houston have appeared on the cover and been featured in the magazine through interviews and photo spreads. Originally launched primarily as a fashion magazine, Essence has grown to be a guideline for African-American women in many aspects of life.

Frequent contributors, including current editor-in-chief Vanessa K. De Luca, provide advice for the business-minded black woman.

Format

The online version of the magazine opens with large images that also display links to main articles. Scrolling farther the down, viewers of the site will find "Top Stories", "Hot Right Now", and other sections. The magazine then began to include a greater number of models with darker skin complexions.

In 2007, presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton made special appearances at The Essence Music Festival, and in 2009 the festival was held in honor of Barack Obama's inauguration and presidency, with Beyoncé as the headliner. In 2008, after partnering with Essence to develop and tape a co-branded special presentation Black in America: Reclaiming the Dream, CNN reported live on-site throughout the Music Festival weekend.

In 2013, the Essence Music Festival rebranded to the Essence Festival to showcase the event as more than a music festival.

In 2016, the first ever associate event to the Essence Festival was announced – Essence Festival Durban – set to take place in Durban, South Africa on November 8–13. Essence President Michelle Ebanks commented at the time, "This is a milestone year for the Essence brand as we get ready to bring one of our most beloved events to the heart of South Africa in the coastal city of Durban which represents an exciting mix of cultures. This inaugural Essence Festival Durban will bring together voices of influence and power from the continent of Africa, the U.S. and across the globe to connect communities and empower women spanning the diaspora."

  • 2017

Activism

In January 2005 Essence launched a 12-month initiative to combat misogyny in hip-hop culture. Essence also holds a Young Women's Leadership Conference since 2009, and released a book, also in 2009, titled Essence Presents: The Black Woman's Guide to Healthy Living.

Awards

Awards run by Essence

Black Women In Hollywood Awards

This long-running award event, held each February on the Thursday before the Oscars, began in 2008 and continues to this day. His ceremony annually honors black women who have achieved success in Hollywood.

In the event's first decade, awards were presented in several categories. Beginning in 2017, the event had a single theme and individuals were honored, with no specific award titles.

2008
  • Power Award: Jada Pinkett Smith
2009
  • Legend Award: Diahann Carroll
2019
  • Theme: The Power of our Presence: Art and Activism
  • Honorees: Amandla Stenberg, Jenifer Lewis, KiKi Layne, Regina Hall

Essence Literary Awards

The first and only Essence Literary Awards ceremony was held in New York City on February 7, 2008, to celebrate both emerging and established African-American authors in nine categories: Fiction, Memoir, Inspiration, Non-fiction, Current Affairs, Photography, Children's Books, Poetry and Storyteller of the Year. The honorees were as follows:

  • Children's Books: Marvelous World by Troy Cle/Simon & Schuster's Children's Publishing
  • Current Affairs: An Unbroken Agony by Randall Robinson/ Basic Civitas
  • Fiction: The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson/Unbridled Books
  • Inspiration: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy/Tyndale
  • Lifetime Achievement: Terry McMillan
  • Memoir: Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat/Knopf
  • Non-fiction: Supreme Discomfort by Michael Fletcher and Kevin Merida/Doubleday
  • Poetry: Duende by Tracy K. Smith/Graywolf Press
  • Photography: Daufuskie Island by Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe/University of South Carolina Press
  • President's Award: Reposition Yourself by T.D. Jakes/Atria
  • Storyteller of the Year: L.A. Banks
  • Save Our Libraries: Countee Cullen Regional Library in Harlem

Awards received by Essence

  • 1970: National Magazine Award for Fiction for Hortense Spillers' "Isom"
  • 2008: AdAge American Magazine Vanguard Award for "magazines that are innovating smartly beyond print."
  • NABJ Magazine Award for Business – This award was received for their Essence Home Ownership Campaign.
  • 2010: NABJ Award for Investigative writing for Angela Burt-Murray, Jeannine Amber, Rosemarie Robotham's "Lost Girl"; Single Topic Series for "Realizing the Dream"

Controversy

The 2005 purchase of Essence Communications Inc. marked the first time an African-American magazine would be owned by a white man, sparking controversy because of the company's 34 years under African-American ownership. In April 2012, Bullerdick parted ways with the magazine after politically conservative views that ran counter to what Essence has historically stood for were discovered on his private Facebook page.

In July 2020, controversy rose again when anonymous magazine staffers alleged mistreatment and abuse under the leadership of Richelieu Dennis. In a post called "Black Female Anonymous" on Medium, it is alleged that senior staffers subjected black female employees to sexual harassment, pay inequity and bullying. Dennis subsequently stepped down and named Caroline Wanga as interim CEO.

Editors

  • Ida E. Lewis (1970–1971)
  • Ruth Ross (1975)
  • Marcia Ann Gillespie (1971–1980)
  • Susan L. Taylor (1981–2000)
  • Monique Greenwood (2000)
  • Diane Weathers (2000–2005)
  • Angela Burt-Murray (2005–2010)
  • Sheryl Hilliard Tucker (2010–2011)
  • Constance C. R. White (2011–2013)
  • Vanessa K. De Luca (2013–2018)
  • Danielle Cadet (2022 – present)

References

Further reading