black women in media
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End of an Era: CEO of Essence Communications Michelle Ebanks Steps Down
The leading voice in America’s leading publication for black women is making way for new leadership. On Monday, Essence Communications made the unexpected announcement that as of March 31 its CEO, Michelle Ebanks, will be stepping down from the role she’s held since 2018, prior to which she had been in leadership roles within the…
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CLEO Speaks: Celebrating a New Network in Black Woman-Centered Media
Can a sister circle exist on a cable network? That’s the question posed by CLEO TV, Xfinity Black Film & TV’s entry into the growing arena of aspirational lifestyle and entertainment media content created specifically created for women of color—with a particular emphasis on millennial and Gen X black women. The network officially launched in…
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Black Womxn Are Here for Elizabeth Warren as President
This week, Sen. Elizabeth Warren received an endorsement from a group of more than 100 Black women, queer folks, and nonbinary activists who praised the Democratic presidential candidate as a leader on visionary thinking and implementing big structural changes. This endorsement comes just two days after Rep. Ayanna Pressley endorsed her Massachusetts friend and colleague…
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Still Wishing Oprah Would Run for President? Sounds Like Gayle King Does, Too!
At this point, we’ve got 50-11 Democratic candidates running for president in 2020, but if Gayle King had her way, her famous bestie might throw her hat in the ring, too. In fact, she bravely broached the subject with the great and powerful Oprah just a few weeks ago, as she tells the Hollywood Reporter.…
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Who Benefits from 'Black Girl Magic'? Google's Latest Ad Reignites Enduring Issues of Erasure
It was a moment we should’ve been wholly proud of. It was hard not to tear up, watching the triumphant array of black female dynamism on display in a minute-long film released by Google in tandem with Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. The theme? A celebration of the everyday phenomenon we’ve come to…
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Strong Black Executive: Channing Dungey Secured a New Role at Netflix as VP, Original Content
It looks like Netflix is snatching up all of the black ABC alums out here. First, it was Shonda Rhimes and Kenya Barris. Next up? Channing Dungey. According to Deadline, the former ABC Entertainment president has now been named Vice President, Original Content and will work with current VP of Content Acquisition, Cindy Holland. Dungey…
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Meet the Black Woman Behind Reversing Roe, Netflix's New Documentary About the Legal Battle Over Abortions
Like many women in media—particularly women of color—Keli Goff wanted to be like Oprah. But not for the fame or the Oprah-size paychecks. “I always admired the fact that, for her, being on camera was really a starting point,” Goff said, praising the media’s mogul’s ability to transform that platform into other avenues to tell…
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Is America Ready to Recognize Black Women's Transformational Power?
Black women, as a political force, as cultural drivers and influencers, have arguably never been more visible in American political culture. They helped Doug Jones win a Senate seat over Republican judge (and accused pedophile) Roy Moore. They are among the left’s most reliable voting blocs and will be key to Democrats’ hopes this November.…
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Gugu Mbatha-Raw Gracing This Glorious Cover of British Vogue Is the Red-Velvet Magnificence We Need
A minor confession: Although Beauty and the Beast was my favorite Disney movie when I was growing up (bookish, socially awkward little girls, ftw!), I hesitated about, and ultimately didn’t watch, the live-action reboot. I stayed away because I simply couldn’t get over the fact that my perfect Belle, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, a woman so…