Two years after her entrance into the Editor-in-chief role at Essence, Constance White is exiting the glossy according to Maynard Institute:
The reason why you might ask? The magazine is cutting hundreds of jobs (yes I was surprised to know Essence had that many employees as well) including the roles of Corynne L. Corbett, the Beauty Editor, and Greg Monfries, the Creative Director. White is a force in the fashion industry, having held coveted positions as the founder of Talk Magazine, the Executive Fashion Editor for Elle, a Style Reporter for The New York Times, and an Associate Editor for Women’s Wear Daily and W Magazine.
Until the magazine finds a replacement, Executive Editor Vanessa Bush will act as Managing Editor.
Quite shocking as I think White has done a great job with revamping the magazine and producing great content. I guess we’ll all be waiting to see where she ends up next.
Thoughts?
February 11, 2013 7:05 pm
I find this very odd that she is leaving after two years. Essence and Ebony have a lot going on in the last 5 years. They do revamps and then people get fired. I know times are hard for the press but eek!
February 11, 2013 7:16 pm
Didn’t she juuust replace the woman of another ethnicity that caused all that uproar?
February 11, 2013 7:23 pm
You would think that people who worked in fashion had some style.
February 11, 2013 8:25 pm
I was just thinking to myself the other day as I was renewing my subscription to Glamour, I have never even thought of subscribing to essence or ebony. As a little girl, my mom and grandmother had subscriptions to both. They just DO NOT appeal to me as magazines at the forefront of fashion, beauty and style. I practically subscribe to all the “white” magazines and they hardly have any content aimed at women of color. I usually quench my beauty, fashion and style thirst by visiting black blogs which seem to find the perfect balance of what I’m looking for. Maybe essence and ebony should try hiring bloggers to suggest content.
February 11, 2013 8:32 pm
Wow! Can’t say this is good news……
February 11, 2013 8:43 pm
Well if she is leaving, it can’t be because of budget cuts, because they are looking for a replacement, right?
February 11, 2013 9:33 pm
They may be cutting jobs, but they’ll always need an Editor-in-Chief. That’s not the reason she’s leaving.
February 11, 2013 10:35 pm
Surprised to hear this unfortunate news. I am an avid supporter of Essence and I read the mag every month and I enjoy her connection with the audience of readers. There is no doubt she is going to go on to do awesome things.
February 11, 2013 10:47 pm
Wait, I know it’s not funny but I also didn’t know that ESSENCE could fire hundreds of people, or any magazine for that matter.
I’m so sad, I LOVE Constance C.R. she is so regal and smart and was good for the magazine. But I wonder if with all the cuts the mag might go in a different editorial direction. Could be interesting to see.
February 11, 2013 10:59 pm
What is going on at Essence? It seems like constant upheaval. Hope it doesn’t fold, but with so many changes & layoffs too, this is not a good sign.
February 12, 2013 1:45 am
Oh no! I’ve become an avid reader of Essence over the past year and I strongly believe it was due to the revamping of the magazine! I was just mentioning to my friends how this magazine has helped me through several quarter-life crises! If you’re looking for advice on how to manage as a young black woman in both your personal and professional life you can find it in this mag! From financial tips on saving in your 20s/30s to fashion guides to dating in the age of texting to career advice it’s all there! It is unfortunate that she is leaving I enjoy her personable “letters from the Editor” and it is sad to see something that champions our Black people and is our own, experience so much hardship. What a sad turn on a great day when they announced Bey as the headliner for Essence Festival this year. That’s it Constance go out with a bang girl! You will be missed.
February 12, 2013 2:17 am
Surprise
February 12, 2013 9:08 am
Essence had BEEN lame since Susan left….so i haven’t even the strength to even pick up any issue…
February 12, 2013 9:54 am
Sad to hear this as well, Constance made Essence Magazine great again. She also incorparated a new age vibe to the content,
She included both high-end and affordable fashion layouts, and added more diverse covers: Tracee Ellis Ross, Viola Davis, Jill Scott, and All the female Oplympians graced the cover of magazine for the 1st time because of her.
She will be missed!
February 12, 2013 9:56 am
I’ve loved Essence for years and though I’ve maintained my subscription – issues may sit for weeks before I flip through. The fashion is always dated and uninspiring IMO.
February 12, 2013 1:44 pm
Wow!
February 12, 2013 2:02 pm
She will be missed, Essence has really turned it around in the last year or so. I’m pretty sure that’s due to her leadership. She’s prob the main reason i renewed my subscription…well, er, um used frequent flyer miles to renew my subscription…
February 14, 2013 5:44 pm
Essence is done and has been done. Like Do people actually still buy that magazine?