Black Girl Magic filled the air on Thursday, October 10th. The magazine world was buzzing and inside me was a rush of emotions - joy, acceptance, excitement and relief. Two industries that are so often extremely selective and systematically racist - fashion and journalism - had been disrupted.
Teen vogue announced Lindsay Peoples Wagner as the new editor-in-chief, to succeed Phillip Picardi. Wagner is a female of color, who has done what only one before her has been able to accomplish- become a black female editor-in-chief of the publication. Before her was Elaine Welteroth, not only the first black female EIC of Teen Vogue, but also the youngest EIC of any Condé Nast publication, at just 29 years old.
With an audience of mostly young females, what Teen Vogue puts in their pages is so important for the next generation.
In the past few years, Teen Vogue has transitioned from reporting on the latest celebrity gossip and how to deal with going solo to prom to serious discussions about diversifying fashion and gaslighting. This intersectional discussion about politics, fashion, beauty, culture and diversity teaches young girls they are more than just makeup and dating.
More importantly though, the shift in the tone of Teen Vogue has broken the Eurocentric beauty standards and expectations. Putting three black models on a magazine cover was unheard of in this industry, until it was finally done, and done well. The new Teen Vogue has opened up a world for girls, and boys, who don’t see themselves on the cover, and even behind the scenes of most American Magazines. The stories they are telling now, have an authenticity behind them, a different voice - one that’s not exclusive to girls who use foundation colors called “ivory”. This wouldn’t have happened without the addition of Welteroth, and would probably phase out if it wasn’t for the hiring of Peoples Wagner.
In today’s era of social media, readers have more access to what's going on behind the scenes, meaning who is putting the words on the pages can be just as important.
Black girls disrupting spaces that are so often controlled by our white counterparts, should be the norm. It not only continues the important conversations but also paves the way for those after.
The hiring of Peoples Wagner shows that Teen Vogue’s push for diversity within their pages and behind, wasn’t a one-and-done like many others, but instead a serious concern and effort.
Marian Wright Edelman once said “you can't be what you can't see.”
Because of Welteroth and now People's Wagner, more black girls can become editors-in-chief.
Cover photo by Getty Images
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