Attract’s New Editor in Chief Jessica Merciless Shares Her Imaginative and prescient for the Journal’s Future

After I entered this trade, individuals like these in my Georgia hometown — individuals like me — hardly ever graced the pages of shiny publications. As a younger Black lady with pure hair and a curvy determine, I felt each conspicuous and invisible after I entered a room.

Up to now decade, although, via the work of so many editors — together with my predecessors Linda Wells and Michelle Lee — Attract has expanded its scope to characteristic little women getting cornrows, drag queens doing make-up tutorials, and Ok-pop stars sharing skin-care secrets and techniques. On the quilt of this situation, Unhealthy Bunny, a Puerto Rican performer who loves nail artwork and hip-hop (two issues I by no means thought would coexist), proudly wears a durag and cries delicate crystal tears.

In my two years at Attract — as options director, then content material director, now editor in chief — I’ve gotten to nurture the seed that began with ONYX by placing a highlight on the minority communities which can be usually incubators for mainstream traits. So know this: Irrespective of who you’re, the way you look, or what sort of magnificence you are into, Attract needs to know your story. We will do our greatest to be a megaphone to your voice.

Studying that first editor’s letter once more right now, I notice that even in my naivete I used to be hitting on some reality. Attract cannot outline magnificence as a result of every particular person is born with a singular factor that makes them shine, a sure one thing that may’t be replicated. However what we will do is spotlight numerous experiences and views to encourage every of you to see the world from a unique viewpoint—and maybe to attempt one thing you by no means thought of. Because it has for the previous 30 years, Attract, the sweetness skilled, will proceed to be a supply of scientific reality, a spot to find up-and-coming artists, a beauty-aisle procuring information, and an amplifier for cultural conversations. 

From ONYX to Attract, my dream publication is a component aspiration and half celebration of all the gorgeous imperfections in our world.

Lead picture photographed by Makeda Sandford. Make-up by Maya Rene.

This story initially appeared within the November 2021 situation of Attract. Learn to subscribe right here.

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