who owns american essence magazine

It does not store any personal data. Richelieu Dennis, the owner of Essence Ventures, at the 2018 Essence Festival in New Orleans. In its tipping guide . But if I were to see how that goes and hear about the event moving in the right direction and it being the fun and inviting event its supposed to be, Id certainly attend in the future., Nottingham, however, questioned whether Essence could really change BeautyCon or if it was another case of diversity initiatives being whitewashed.. I would have to see change, see an apology, in order to participate or contribute. [W]e are excited to be able to return this culturally relevant and historically significant platform to ownership by the people and the consumers whom it serves, and offer new opportunities for the women leading the business to also be partners in the business, said Dennis of the Essence brand acquisition. The company said that there had not been claims or evidence of sexual harassment or misconduct and that it would review any new instances brought to HR. Recording Studio: Great journey, I gave a lot of myself to these sessions. In addition, it represents a critical recognition, centering and elevation of the Black women running the business from solely a leadership position to a co-ownership position.. This major move marks Essences return to being a 100% black-owned company. The essay said Mr. Dennis tried to force Essence employees and contractors to sign nondisclosure agreements to protect him and his family from liability or disparagement after a string of wrongful layoffs. It also said that Mr. Denniss wife, Martha Dennis, whom it described as the companys head of human resources, should not serve in that role, calling the arrangement a blatant conflict of interest. (An Essence spokeswoman denied that Ms. Dennis was the head of human resources, saying that she had advised the company in its ongoing HR transition as the company searched for a full-time HR lead.). More curiously, his history with beauty brands, which will be core Essence advertisers, also raises questions about the magazines ability to truly separate its business and editorial sidea core value of traditional media that is quickly eroding in the age of advertorials and native advertising. According to Black Enterprise magazine, Essence president Michelle Ebanks will continue in her role and join its board of directors. Continuing in our tradition, we're introducing you to the masterminds behind some of the most popular. About - Essence Celebrity OTE - Meagan Good Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover Digital Cover Method Man Digital Cover Zazie Celebrity News 'Yes, Girl!' Podcast Entertainment Black Celeb Couples. I thank the entire ESSENCE team for their tremendous passion and unrelenting commitment to driving the brands success. A person who identified herself as a representative of the essays writers, contacted through the Black Female Anonymous Instagram account, declined to be interviewed for this article. Later in the essay, the writers said the problems at Essence predated the arrival of Mr. Dennis. Know Thyself sweathshirt available @Alkebulan Ujaama Book Store. Last year, The Wrap reported that a year after a huge event that attracted thousands of attendees, BeautyCon was still struggling to pay vendors. Essence Ventures announced in a press release, in November, Unilever acquired the parent company for SheaMoisture, Sundial Brands. Essence currently reaches over 16 million people via social media, print, digital engagement and live events, according to a spokeswoman for Essence Ventures. The move returns 48-year-old Essence to black ownership for the first time in over a decade, and solidifies the magazines status as the most important minority-owned publication in America. The most valuable part of writing a business plan is the education you gain by researching and . The company bought the remaining 51 percent in 2005. A target of Black Female Anonymous is Richelieu Dennis, the owner of Essence Ventures, the parent company of the magazine and Essence Communications. But we must fix the systemic brokenness of any Black cultural institution that devalues Black women. It is a magazine that focuses on traditional American values and great American stories. The ESSENCE team has extended the brands reach and influence across multiple platforms, solidifying its position as the premier destination for African-American women serving an audience of 16.3 million, said Time Inc. President Rich Battista in a memo to staff obtained by NBC News. In 2000, Time Inc. acquired a 49 percent stake of Essence from its founders and acquired the remaining percentage five years later. Everybody aint lying, she said. (The festival was canceled this year and replaced with a digital event because of the coronavirus pandemic.). [3] [4] Lewis and Smith called the publication a "lifestyle magazine directed at upscale African American women". Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Article length can vary from 500 to 2500 words. ESSENCE Co-founder Ed Lewis, former editors-in-chief Marcia Ann Gillespie and Susan L. Taylor speak on the evolution of the magazine and brand. We accept that because what else is the ultimate goal in this country?. This pocket Bluetooth printer lets you print your precious memories before they hit Instagram. Whether BeautyCon becomes a platform to help combat those inequities remains to be seen. Print fond memoriesThis pocket Bluetooth printer lets you print your precious memories before they hit Instagram. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". It is with great joy that we announced that Essence is under new ownership and is now an independent African-American-owned company. Gerren Keith Gaynor March 13, 2013 918. Im not in the business of selling my soul for a couple of dollars or for popularity, one Black content creator told The Daily Beast. They neglected their niche of Blackness their base demographic of Black women with kinky hair. But this month, he was back. This denim skirt is from the thrift store for $3. African-America backing, she notes, is not only symbolically important, but ownership is an important pillar of economic empowermentand directly builds wealth and strengthens communities of color., Black media insiders also applauded the Essence deal. Receive updates about new stories in the industry. Essence Communications will be led by an all-black female executive team. They have allowed us to invest into the business so that we can bring in the infrastructure and resources.. The owner of Black business empire Essence Ventures, who vowed to step away as the acting CEO of Essence magazine after being an awful boss during last year's racial reckoning, is. Clearly Dennis has committed his life (and substantial economic resources) to supporting minority women. In addition, the all black female executive team of Essence, including Ebanks, will have an equity stake in the business. Fine art articles for American Essence include American architecture and houses of beauty, traditional American artists and musicians that helped establish the culture as well as cinema and film stars that inspired the nation and the American people. Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The future of Essence was uncertain when it was announced Meredith Corporation was buying Time Inc. in November. For more than 50 years, ESSENCE has been a leader in promoting Black-Owned beauty brands. This is a continuation of my quest to do that.. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. American Essence Magazine is also a nonpolitical magazine that aims to showcase the values and traditions of American culture with stores of the people and places, past and present, that helped and continue to help shape this nation. However, she also doesnt think BeautyCon will suffer from the negative stain of Essence. Mr. Dennis sold Sundial Brands to Unilever that month. Copyright 2022 Rolling Out. Clearly, Ebanks team hopes that Essence wont just evolve, but thrive and survive for the next 48 years. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Like SheaMoisure, she said. In a statement on Thursday, Latraviette Smith-Wilson, an Essence spokeswoman, described the essays accusations and demands as unsupported and outdated., The statement also addressed Ms. Ebanks, saying she has had no role in day-to-day operations since her departure, and said that Ms. Collins Profet had already accepted a new role with another company before the anonymous blog was posted.. An annual study found that the total number of magazine readers in the U.S. remained above 220 million in every year between 2016 and 2020, having previously hovered around the 210 and 215 million . The group has given Ms. Wanga, the interim leader, until the close of business on Friday to comply. Essence Communications, a brand known for its popular monthly magazine and annual music festival, is once again 100 percent African-American owned. In 2018, he bought the Essence brand, vowing to scale Black-owned brands and bring much-needed diversity to the beauty and lifestyle world. Although financial details remain confidential, Essences sale comes at a precipitous time for both the magazine and the larger media landscape. American Essence highlights the morals and traditional. Dennis serves as CEO and executive chairman of Sundial under the Unilever partnership. Adenike Olanrewaju contributed reporting. Citing an abusive work culture, the essays writers also said that Black women at the company are systematically suppressed by pay inequity, sexual harassment, corporate bullying, intimidation, colorism and classism.. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. ! She ended her statement with the hashtag #BlackWomenRiseTogether., Black Female Anonymous replied to Ms. Wanga on social media. Melody Spann-Cooper, chairwoman of Midway Broadcasting Corporation, which owns WVON, a Chicago radio station whose target audience is black, welcomed Essences return to being an all-black-owned company. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The executive team will also have an ownership interest in the business. The conversations @richelieudennis and I started a few months ago about his strategic vision for @Essence and the opportunity to be on a team furthering the health/wealth of the global black diaspora, across a portfolio of businesses including @essence, was a win. A win stitched together by a 50-year legacy of black creatives, businesses, and community that I would be honored to be a part of., Ms. Wanga noted that she had learned there are things that need to be better for our team and culture and Im ready to begin that work, adding, Im committed to flourishing while fixing and fastening what needs to work to be in service to our teams, communities and partners. The magazine has a circulation of more than one million and its website attracts nearly seven million unique visitors each month. Headwraps by Queen Fatima Chui. A new CEO was named for Essence magazine and the company, which owns several other entities like Afropunk festival and hair care company Naturally Curly, promised that Dennis would be taking a step back. The company also runs the annual Essence Festival in New Orleans, a celebration of Black culture that has drawn headliners like Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige and John Legend. 1028 on display. "There's nobody who owns a factory like this that could make thousands, 10 thousand pieces or more, that pays New York 48 . Ebanks directly links this growth to Essences new all-black ownership. American Essence Magazine is also a nonpolitical magazine that aims to showcase the values and traditions of American culture with stores of the people and places, past and present, that helped and continue to help shape this nation. With this sale, the legacy of essence is back in the control of Black owners. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Founded in 2011 by Marina Curry, a Black woman, BeautyCon was a hub of live events before it started to falter in 2019. The new company, to be. JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION with Umojah Nation Reggae Band and the Griot Project at the Art & Soul of Buckeye Park in Cleveland. All rights Reserved. Reporters, poking around, have unearthed intriguing connections: a documentary co-produced with Steve Bannon; a donor who worked at the secretive hedge fund run by the Breitbart benefactor Robert. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Essence Communications Inc., the 48-year-old mutliplatform brand that owns Essence magazine and the annual Essence Festival, has gone back to black (ownership), having been acquired by Essence Ventures LLC, an independent African-American-owned company, Essence Ventures announced in a press release. The magazine was founded in 1970 as a black-owned publication for black women who, coming out of the Civil Rights era and in the midst of a new feminist wave, were eager to read not only about fashion and beauty but careers and spirituality too.