Week 1: History and Mission Statement of Essence Communications, Inc.

"It's not that often that a Black woman can pick up a magazine that uplifts her!"

Essence magazine was launched in 1970 and grew out of a conference for aspiring African-American entreprenuers known as the Hollingsworth Group.  The group consisted of Lewis Smith, Cecil Hollingsworth and Jonathan Blount.  Their mission was simple,  to create a magazine that celebrates, empowers, and inspires Black women to be bold and beautiful.  For four decades ESSENCE has had the extraordinary privilage of telling the stories of Black women's lives.  Since 1970 they have made tremendous economic, social, cultural and political strides together.