(Yawn!) Ebony's Summer Issue Features IT FACTOR ladies

Ebony Magazine has put together a special multi-cover summer issue celebrating women with the "It" factor. Not surprisingly, the nearly 70 year old publication's list holds no new names or surprises. 

Of the 25 women listed, 21 are entertainers, 1 is an athlete, 2 are from the world of politics, and 1 is an academic. Only a small handful are under 30. 

When I think of the "it factor" my mind usually goes to up and coming artists, writers, educators, designers, trendsetters, filmmakers, or unsung actors. Ebony's pool of  nominees only extends to those women already represented in their stock images library.

The list includes :

Naomi Campbell
Jennifer Hudson
Michelle Obama
Tina Turner
Aretha Franklin
Halle Berry
Serena Williams
Condoleezza Rice
Oprah Winfrey
Tyra Banks
Angela Davis
Erykah Badu
Jill Scott
Lil’ Kim
Whoopi Goldberg
Diahann Carroll
Pam Grier
Patti LaBelle
Alicia Keys
Mo’ Nique
Diana Ross
Rihanna
Grace Jones
Mary J. Blige
Beyoncé

Ebony Magazine: Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis

s: charcoalink

This is the cover that Essence Magazine should have done months ago.

Ebony, I have poked fun of you in the past but you knock it out of the ballpark with this one.

All I can say is dayuuuuuuum!

Ebony Magazines Defines Cool

From the press release:

For the FIRST TIME EVER, Ebony magazine defines Black Cool in an exclusive 8-cover feature unlike anything you’ve seen before. In this historic collector’s edition, we will name the 25 coolest brothers of all time. These brothers radiate confidence and have an alluring charisma that sets the standard. From their sleek, debonair styles to their smooth-as-silk personas, these magnificent Black men have conveyed, captured and conquered the quintessence of “cool” while making it appear effortless.

The cover choices aren't very imaginative but the inclusion of Barack and Marvin Gaye are nice touches. The series is more evidence that Ebony is trying to change up its image a bit. Celebrity covers get attention but I would be very happy if the editors at Ebony made an attempt to fill the void left by Emerge Magazine. 

Source: Ebony

This is Not Your Grandma's EBONY Magazine

Is there some new blood over at Ebony shaking things up? Because this doesn't look like the Ebony I remember. You know, the one that every other black beauty salon in the country has had a subscription to since 1972...and they kept every issue? There was the nicely executed "Fashion Issue" last year and then young heartthrob blood Chris Brown on last month's cover. These days the content seems to be skewing to a much younger demographic. Seeing Serena Williams and her glorious booty gracing the cover of the July issue is definitely a head turner. First of all, I have never seen her look better and secondly, the photo is not a crappy composite shot or something lifted from a photo agency.If I didn't see that iconic red and white Ebony logo in the top left corner, I would have mistaken this for an issue of In Style. I just wonder if there is an ad for Fashion Fair's Vantex fade cream in every issue.

More Ebony Magazine Scans

I finally picked up my copy today. It was much better than I expected, not perfect but still good and worth buying. Please everyone write to Ebony and encourage them to make this a regular feature.

editors@ebony.com



Scans via ONTD

Ebony Magazine Does Fashion

You read that right, your grandma's "good news" rag has finally published an issue worth buying. Taking its cue from women's Fall fashion magazines, Ebony has decided to print its own tribute to Blacks in the fashion industry.

For the first time in my life, I will actually purchase and issue of Ebony instead of just thumbing through it at the beauty salon (why is there always a mountain high stack of Ebony and Jet magazine at the salon anyway?)

Now, this is Ebony so it's not going to be perfect but I'll cut them a little slack because when I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming a Fashion Fair model. I thought they were the most beautiful women in the world and they got to tour the country like rock starts.

I really would like to have seen someone else instead of Miss Tyra on the cover. Pat Cleveland anyone? Where is Grace Jones? Karen Alexander?? Crazy ass Beverly Johnson?

But I digress, with the absence of Black models on runways and in print ads, it's nice to see a few gorgeous divas on the cover of a magazine.