Essence Founder Stands By Time Inc., Believes Selling Essence Was A Success

Edward Lewis (Photo capture from Richard Prince's Journal-isms)Another scoop from Richard Prince. In light of former Essence Magazine editor Constance C.R. White's criticisms that she was stymied in her efforts to creatively lead the magazine, conflicting with Time Inc. over black women's images and how they're portrayed, Essence founder Edward Lewis has stepped into the fray to dissmiss White's claims and defend Essence's current direction.

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Fmr. Essence Editor Constance C.R. White Says She Clashed With Time Inc. Over Black Women

Danielle Belton and Constance C.R. White at an Essence event in Washington, D.C. in 2011.In an amazing piece by my friend Richard Prince, Constance C.R. White opens up about her recent firing from Essence Magazine, claiming she was forced out due to multiple clashes with management over the portrayal of black women in Essence. Apparently Time Inc. wanted it one way and Constance was repping for the readers.

White told Prince: "How is it that from 2000, when Susan [L. Taylor, longtime editor] left — she was pushed out — we have had about five editors, including two acting editors, yet Essence continues to decline? So where's the problem? And the editors are the black women. 'They are disposable. Let's keep changing them.'"

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There's A Man on the Cover of Essence This July And It's Barack Obama

Is there some kind of election going on or something? I couldn't tell.

From Essence's PR team:

President Barack Obama is on the cover of ESSENCE's July issue (on stands June 12th) in a piece called “Looking Forward.” Here, he speaks exclusively to ESSENCE about his plan to improve the economy, our health, homes and future—and why he’s excited about the next four years. This month's issue also features a special salute to military families from First Lady Michelle Obama. In addition, ESSENCE’s piece, “Back in the U.S.A.” highlights soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team for Operation New Dawn who are adapting to life at home and celebrating July 4th with their family and friends.

The Snob Is All Up In Your January Edition of Essence!

Guess who's all up in your Essence Magazine this month? Yours truly! The January edition of Essence is out and I'm featured in it, talking about how I survived the recession (and, consequently, Bipolar Disorder). I'm featured in their story "The Interruption of Everything" featuring first-person accounts by myself, author and TV producer Susan Fales-Hill and lawyer-turned-writer Crystal McCrary. It's a huge honor to even be featured alongside Fales-Hill and McCrary, who are amazing women in their own right, let alone get a feature and a photo in Essence. But the fun doesn't stop there! Yours truly is Essence Magazine's new "Ten Things" columnist! Every month, I'll be writing about the top ten things people are talking about for Essence, starting with ... you guessed, the January edition with Queen Latifah on the cover.

Check it out on your newstands this month!

Essence Magazine's "An Evening of Excellence" Honors the Joyners, Surgeon General (Slideshow)

(Left to Right) Fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner, "Fly Jock" Tom Joyner, Southern Company Board Director Juanita Baranco and Essence Magazine Editor-In-Chief Constance C.R. White

Last Friday Essence Magazine honored fitness expert and motivational speaker Donna Richardson Joyner; her husband, syndicated radio "Fly Jock" Tom Joyner and the U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin at their "An Evening of Excellence" event during the Congressional Black Caucus' Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The Snob was there to document the proceedings and chat up Essence's new editor-in-chief.

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Michelle Obama Returns On the Cover of Essence This October

Click to enlarge.Essence Magazine has named First Lady Michelle Obama the most influential lady person for their October "Power" issue and you know what that means! More pretty pictures of the First Lady!

Oh yeah, sure. Essence is totally promising an awesome interview with her and a whole 2011 "Power" list of 28 also great women, including Shonda Rhimes and Oprah. And new Essence Editor-in-Chief Constance C.R. White calls the First Lady-In-Excellence "the quintessential ESSENCE woman; impressively defining herself on her own terms." But I just want to see the photo spread that I know must, must, MUST be accompanying the story. (Must!) That'll be my B-day present from Essence (since I'm an October baby). So I'll be checking my mailbox for my copy. (Essence)

The Snob, Roland Martin, Toure and Baratunde Have A Panel Chat At NABJ, No One Dies

(Left to right) Baratunde Thurston of The Onion and Jack & Jill Politics, your friend neighborhood SNOB, author and MSNBC commentator Toure and, finally, my Uncle Rolly Rolls, the resident "Alpha" male, Roland S. Martin at NABJ last week. (Photo by Dr. Syb)No one in the audience died. We didn't kill each other. It was awesome. I think I only rolled my eyes once or twice. I got to finally meet Toure and Roland, as well as several other journalism folks and aspiring journalists -- including finally meeting the wonderfully charming Bomani Jones, who asked our panel for advice on his whole "I don't smile so people think I look mean because I'm a black guy on camera" thing. I think I suggested that he develop a half-smirk. Or, what I like to call, "The Dick Cheney."

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Essence & BMW Art of Giving (Slideshow)

More photos from Essence Magazine's Art of Giving Event on Tuesday. The event honored Holly Robinson Peete and Galila Assefa Puck for their charitable efforts, while hosting a silent auction for the photography and art work of several celebrities. (Photos by Danielle Belton and Jada Prather)

The Snob Is In New York City (But Not For Long)

Holly Robinson Peete and Galila Assefa Puck among blown up photographs of themselves at BMW & Essence Magazine's Art of Charity event where they were honorees. (Photo by Jada Prather)Presently The Snob is sneaking around the city, killing time between meetings before I hop back on the Amtrak and return to Washington, D.C. I was in town for Essence Magazine and BMW's charity celebrity art auction event, The Art of Charity, Tuesday night, honoring actress and autism advocate Holly Robinson Peete and Dream for Future Africa Foundation founder, Galila Assefa Puck (wife of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck). My friend, road dog and surrogate bratty "kid" brother Jada Prather was kind enough to act as the official blacksnob.com photographer for the event. Check it out after the jump! 

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