Media trailblazer Susan L. Taylor is reflecting on the cultural awakening of Black women and the pivotal role of Essence magazine, as Essence FEST 2026 approaches.
ESSENCE Fest returns July 3 to 5, 2026! Performers include Cardi B, Latto, Patti LaBelle, Brandy & Monica, Kehlani, and many more to come
In an interview with Sandra Bookman shared by ABC7 New York on Instagram, the former editor-in-chief described the early years of Essence as a defining period for Black identity and representation.
“It was a time when Black women were coming into our own,” Taylor said. “We were appreciating our beauty, our hair, our lips, our bodies—and that hadn’t happened before like that.”
Taylor pointed to the founding of Essence Magazine in 1970 as a critical moment, coinciding with the momentum of the Black Power movement. She explained that the publication created a platform to celebrate Black women’s beauty, intelligence, and achievements at a time when mainstream representation was limited.
“We seized every moment to create a stage upon which Black beauty and intelligence and ferocity… could be reflected,” she added.
Taylor, who led Essence for decades, is widely credited with shaping the magazine into a cultural institution that amplified the voices and stories of Black women globally. Beyond publishing, her work in philanthropy and mentorship has further cemented her legacy.
The full interview is scheduled to air on Here and Now, a program produced by ABC7, offering viewers a more in-depth look at Taylor’s career, influence, and reflections ahead of her milestone birthday.
Her remarks come amid ongoing conversations about representation in media and the historical contributions of Black women in shaping cultural narratives.
