5 Journalists I Look Up To

My favorite Black women in the industry.

I cannot remember the moment I knew I wanted to be a writer. I think it was more of a gradual process. Maybe it was the millions of Teen Vogue, Cosmo, and Bazaar magazines my mother had around the house or the love of fashion, beauty and boss women.

I can’t pinpoint an exact day where it all clicked, but one thing was for sure: One day, I was going to be an editor for a magazine. (We’re not there yet, but were working on it!)

13 Going On 30 is one of my all time favorite movies. Not just because Jennifer Garner did what she had to do hunny, but because it was a snippet into a workplace I dreamed about. Now mix in The Devil Wears Prada and my new favorite, The Bold Type, and what you have is a romanticized version of my career path.

And although these shows are not really telling of what a day in the life of a writer or editor is like, it was a bummer to still not see myself in these fictionalized characters. And, the offices were no better. You feel almost defeated, because if there already aren’t people in the room that look like you, how in the world are you supposed to get in there? Even more so, will you even fit in once you’re there?

Visibility is so important. And not just in the workplace. Having TV shows, movies and music that really showcase your identity allows young girls to grow up confident. Luckily, the new generation of Black kids at least have Black Panther as their first memorable superhero movie.

Slowly and surely more and more powerful, boss, brown skin women are showing up and showing out in these offices. Seeing them lets me know that my goals are possible. And while there are now hundreds of black women in the industry that are killing it, here are a few that are my personal version of Shuri from Black Panther.

Jessica Andrews, Deputy Fashion Director, Refinery 29

I’ve been following Jessica Andrews for a very long time. I’m always searching through mastheads and articles that lead me to strong Black women in different publications. She was one of them. I haven’t had the pleasure to meet Ms. Andrews (yet), but she is one of my inspirations.

My favorite piece by her is Black Camp: How We Used Fashion To Fight Erasure At The Met Gala.

Channing Hargrove, Fashion News Editor, Refinery 29

Just like Andrews, I came across Channing Hargrove after reading one of her articles. I actually attended Every Stylish Girl’s Sip N’ Slay event and had the opportunity to speak with her. She was so nice and informative, it really was amazing. Living in Miami and going to school in Tallahassee, Florida, I feel so disconnected from the editorial world. Having moments to speak with women that are doing what you love is still very surreal for me.

My favorite piece by Hargrove is Why Are So Many White Women Suddenly Wearing So Much Gold Jewelry? (Sis shook the table with this one!)

Maya Allen, Digital Beauty Editor, Marie Claire

Maya Allen is another amazing woman. I actually reached out to her via email because I planned on being in New York City for a journalism conference. She took time out of her day and grabbed coffee with me. I was able to ask her questions and kind of just fangirl. It’s little moments like these that keep me hustling. Allen is also a Howard University alumna.

This is also an important factor because I attend Florida A&M University, a fellow Historically Black University. Watching Allen and all her success is exciting, but also knowing she attended an HBCU makes it even more amazing.

My favorite piece by her is Jhene Aiko on Self-Care, Insecurities, and How She Transformed Her Skin.

Chrissy Rutherford, Special Projects Director, Talent & Social, Harper’s BAZAAR

Chrissy Rutherford is my actual style icon. Please go check out her Instagram and you’ll understand why. She was one of the first people I followed. I had the chance to speak with her when she was a panelist at a We Met At Acme event. I, of course, asked several questions and she was so helpful. Meeting someone you admire in real life is so rewarding. Any type of knowledge I can get from women in my career field is important to me.

My favorite piece by Chrissy is Lizzo Wore Her Met Gala Outfit to The Airport This Morning, also her Instagram series #GetDressedWithMe.

Lindsay Peoples Wagner, Editor-in-chief, Teen Vogue

Lindsay Peoples Wagner is... Everything. She is another person I’ve been following for a long time. I first found out about her while she was working for The Cut. Her journey is so inspiring. Seeing a black woman as Editor-in-chief of a big time fashion magazine is the definition of representation. The work she’s putting in to make Teen Vogue more diverse is remarkable.

I also was able to see her at the Every Stylish Girl Sip N’ Slay event. I wasn’t able to personally speak with her, but I did get to ask her a question about my favorite article. Which leads to:

My favorite piece by her is Everywhere and Nowhere What it’s really like to be black and work in fashion.

Whether you want to be a teacher, editor, or doctor, representation in your career field is so important. Having women that look like me working hard in the industry I strive to be in only makes me want to work harder. And then hopefully, one day, I could be in the same office as them.