Today I’m celebrating Black History Month by highlighting a selection of Black and biracial journalists who are blazing a trail. Deciding who would make the cut from a long list list that includes Edward Enninful, Meena Alexander, Kenya Hunt, Baz Bamigboye, Alicia Adejobi, Funmi Fetto, Natalie Morris, Fayola Douglas and many more was not going to be easy. Among those blazing a trail in an industry that is grappling with a lack diversity, I’ve chosen a handful who for reasons both large and small made a mark on me.
Nicolas-Tyrell Scott, @iamntyrell
Freelance: Dazed, Audiomack, NME, Buzzfeed, PAPER etc.
So first up is Nicolas-Tyrell Scott, a music and culture writer whose finger is pressed down firmly on the pulse. Follow him on Twitter for really insightful cultural commentary and music recommendations. I owe it to Nicolas-Tyrell for helping me articulate why Miley Cyrus just doesn’t sit right with me, despite her amazing voice, swagger and showmanship. With one tweet he explained how she verges too close to parody than artistry. So that cleared that up for me and my shoulders were a little looser that day.
Miranda Larbi, @MirandaLarbi
Strong Women Fitness Editor, Stylist
My second recommendation is Stylist’s Health & Fitness Editor, Miranda Larbi. Almost a year ago I saw a tweet go out from her account looking for Black and brown freelance writers to help shake up the fitness and wellness space. Not long after that, Stylist launched their fitness platform Strong Women setting the standard for inclusion and representation within an industry that has routinely appropriated, repackaged and raised prices to the point of exclusion.
My final three are Editor of Vogue.com Chioma Nnadi and Sam Cole, formerly at Complex but now serving as Highsnobiety’s associate Style Editor. We all like to land great coverage and these two gave space to Wakanda Zine, a past project of mine that also featured the words of gal-dem’s former Head of Editorial Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff. Click on the links to read more at Vogue.com and Complex.
