First Lady Michelle Obama Graces October 2011 Cover of ESSENCE Magazine

ESSENCE Magazine October Issue Featuring Michelle Obama. (PRNewsFoto/ESSENCE Magazine)

31 Aug 2011 15:30 Africa/Lagos


First Lady Michelle Obama Graces October 2011 Cover of ESSENCE Magazine

Cover Story Spotlights First Lady Michelle Obama and ESSENCE's Shared Commitment to Women and Girls Around the World
Annual 'Power Issue' Lists First Lady as One of the Year's Most Influential Black Women

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2011

NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE magazine today announced that First Lady Michelle Obama will grace the cover of its October issue; with a revealing interview highlighting ESSENCE and the First Lady's shared commitment to women and girls around the world. For the annual October 'Power Issue,' First Lady Michelle Obama is also feted as one of the world's most influential Black women on the magazine's '2011 Power List.' The October issue is available on newsstands as of September 12, 2011.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110831/NY60194 )

As the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women, ESSENCE reaches 8 million readers each month. For the past 41 years, ESSENCE has celebrated and reflected the lives and aspirations of the broad spectrum of Black women – providing inspiration, as well as solutions for their specific needs.

"Michelle Obama is the quintessential ESSENCE woman; impressively defining herself on her own terms," commented ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Constance C.R. White. "Opening up to ESSENCE about living her most authentic life – by following her passions and unapologetically investing in herself and her family -- Michelle Obama is embracing her purpose and channeling her power. She is undoubtedly poised to become one of the country's most popular and productive First Ladies."

In the ESSENCE October cover story, entitled "The Leading Lady," Michelle Obama recounts her emotional trip to Africa, providing exclusive images for ESSENCE readers which document her various stops and what they meant to her personally: "One of the most beautiful aspects of my trip to Africa was the fact that there were three generations of us there. It was me, my two little girls and my mom..."

The First Lady also shares her mission to impart a critical message to young women: "My story to young people around this country and around the world is, don't look at me as the First Lady first; look at me as Michelle Obama, a girl who grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Because I was there, and this is attainable."

She also reflects on what she calls the "big, bright light" of her power as First Lady: "What I try to do is...stand in front of things that are more important than me, and then that light not only shines on me but on everything around me..."

To complement the October cover story, Essence.com's comprehensive daily blog, "First Lady Diary," will continue the conversation with exclusive updates, one-of-a-kind style galleries and engaging feedback from readers and fans.

About Essence Communications Inc .

Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online. The company's flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music, Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 41 years, ESSENCE, which has a brand reach of over 8 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions relating to every area of African-American women's lives. Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.

SOURCE ESSENCE Magazine

CONTACT: Dana Baxter/ESSENCE, +1-212-522-1634, dbaxter@essence.com; or Sheila Harris/ESSENCE, +1-212-522-1089, sharris@essence.com

Web Site: http://www.essence.com

Top Topics

10th Anniversary of 9/11

Smokers Are Smoking Less

The Conference Board Employment Trends Index(TM) (ETI) Continues to Decline

Reality Bites: Nation's 20-Somethings Are Fearful of Their Financial Future Amid 'Slacker' Economy

Zagat Releases 2011 Fast Food Survey

AutoNation Announces August 2011 Retail New Vehicle Unit Sales

Hurricane Season

National Survey: Moms Spend 1150 More Hours Parenting per Year than Dads New Football Season

Tweet

Essence Celebrates 40th Anniversary in 2010: Where Black Women Come First

28 Jan 2010 15:15 Africa/Lagos


Essence Celebrates 40th Anniversary in 2010: Where Black Women Come First

Year Long Tribute Kicks Off During Black History Month ESSENCE Magazine Commemorative 40th Anniversary Issue in September

NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE will mark its 40th anniversary in 2010; beginning a year long celebration in honor of African-American women during Black History Month. Specifically, ESSENCE will commemorate its 40th anniversary with initiatives aimed at helping Black women put themselves first, including new ESSENCE magazine features, Essence.com content and a series of special "ESSENCE Presents" events.


"ESSENCE will celebrate its 40th anniversary all year long by touting what Black women have accomplished, and, more importantly, helping her to shape her perspective on the future. With three generations of Black women now represented in the White House, and African-American women making enormous strides both professionally and personally - studies show that African-American women feel more optimistic and powerful than ever before," said Essence Communications Inc. President Michelle Ebanks. "Because ESSENCE empowers her to put herself first, Black women are poised to be happier, healthier, and more fulfilled - as she strives to reach her full potential."


Throughout the year, ESSENCE magazine will debut new features, profiles and celebrity columns each month, and Essence.com will unveil new video programs, flashbacks and exclusive interviews daily. In addition, ESSENCE is presenting several special events throughout the year to commemorate its 40th anniversary - including ESSENCE Presents Black Women in Music during Grammy week, ESSENCE Presents Black Women in Hollywood during Oscar week, and the signature 16th annual Essence Music Festival during 4th of July weekend in New Orleans.


"Beginning our celebration during Black History Month provides the perfect context for us to note the significant achievements of Black women, as well as renew our commitment to the ESSENCE legacy of offering information, inspiration and unconditional affirmation," said Angela Burt-Murray, Editor-in-Chief, ESSENCE. "As the place 'Where Black Women Come First', ESSENCE is dedicated to strengthening African-American women, and by extension African-American families and African-American communities."


The celebration culminates with the ESSENCE magazine commemorative 40th anniversary collector's edition issue in September 2010.


About Essence Communications Inc.:


Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the leading media and communications company dedicated to African-American women. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online, the Essence brand is "Where Black Women Come First". The company's flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon, Window on Our Women (WOW I & II) and Smart Beauty I, II & III consumer insights, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 40 years, ESSENCE magazine, which has a readership of 8.1 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women's lives. Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at essence.com.


Source: ESSENCE

CONTACT: Dana Baxter, +1-212-522-1634, dbaxter@essence.com; or Sheila
Harris, +1-212-522-1089, sharris@essence.com, both of ESSENCE


Web Site: http://www.essence.com/

From Essence with Love
alicia keys barack obama beyonce beyonce knowles black love black women bridal bliss chanel iman chris brown chris henry ciara diddy earthquake fashion first lady michelle obama hair haiti haiti earthquake halle berry health holiday iman janet jackson jay-z jennifer hudson joy bryant kelly rowland keri hilson love mariah carey marriage mary j blige mary j. blige michael jackson michelle obama mo'nique music obama oprah oprah winfrey paula patton poll precious president barack obama president obama princess and the frog real housewives of atlanta relationships rihanna sex solange star gazing steve harvey tiger woods tyra banks usher wedding white house will you marry me zoe saldana

Michelle Obama and Her Mother On the Cover of ESSENCE Magazine!

7 Apr 2009 13:26 Africa/Lagos

ESSENCE Magazine's White House Exclusive!

SPECIAL MAY COVER STORY FEATURES FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA AND HER MOTHER

NEW YORK, April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE's May issue celebrates Mother's Day in a special way -- with two of the most popular mothers in the world! In their first interview together, First Lady Michelle Obama and her mother, Marian Shields Robinson, 71, did a sit down interview in the White House during their first photo shoot together to speak to ESSENCE editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray about retaining their family values, what it takes to raise good kids and being role models for the Black community. They were photographed exclusively for ESSENCE at the White House on February 24th.


(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090407/NY95539 )


In the article, A Mother's Love, Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Robinson also share their personal thoughts on some of the challenges facing families today and provide practical tips for parents everywhere. In addition, the issue features a special Mother's Day message from President Barack Obama on why he is thankful for his wife and mother-in-law.


"We wanted our ESSENCE readers to see first-hand the dynamic bond between First Lady Michelle Obama and Mrs. Robinson. Both of these ladies are phenomenal women in their own right, and are each others' greatest fans. Their relationship is inspiring -- and they are a wonderful example for mothers and daughters everywhere," said Burt-Murray.


Some of the quotes from the cover story include...

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA ON...


-- ADVANCING THE ROLE OF WOMEN WORLDWIDE: "We have to talk about flex
hours and exercise and nutrition and health and what that means. And
we have to talk about values, and about our relationships with men.
All of those are part of the conversation that I think we need to
have, not just in this country but around the world."


-- COMBATING STEREOTYPICAL IMAGES OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN: "The women
in videos and the stereotypes are just not the truth of who we are as
a community. We already know that because we are living these lives
every single day. It's nice to have this reminder in the White House,
but I would say we don't need it...all you need to do is look around
your own community and you will see this same family in churches and
in schools."

MRS. MARIAN ROBINSON ON...


-- ADVICE ON RAISING CHILDREN: "The main thing that I think needs to be
taught to children is the ability to think and make decisions. You
don't have to have a lot of information, but you have to know how to
get through the process. If you make mistakes you don't [just] decide
I will never do that again."


-- ENJOYING LIFE IN THE WHITE HOUSE: "...I really am. You want to know
why? Because my children are good parents. It makes it very easy to be
a grandmother when your children are good parents."


Visit Essence.com for more on this story and behind-the-scenes images from this photo shoot, and pick up the May 2009 issue of ESSENCE on newsstands now.


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090407/NY95539
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN10
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: ESSENCE Magazine

CONTACT: Dana Baxter, +1-212-522-1634, dbaxter@essence.com, Sheila
Harris, +1-212-522-1089, sharris@essence.com, both of ESSENCE Magazine


Hot Topics
Pulte and Centex to Merge Creating America's Largest Homebuilding Company
Despite Lower Fuel Prices, AAA Reports Costs to Own, Operate Vehicle Remain Constant
Survey: CFOs Cite Strong Leadership, Talent as Keys to Staying Ahead of the Competition
Despite Economic Pressures, Majority of Companies Plan to Increase Emphasis on Sustainability
Half of Workers Who Were Laid Off in the Last Three Months Found Jobs, According to a New CareerBuilder Survey
Bonus Cuts Reduce Take Home Pay Growth to a Record Low
Easter 2009
Space Station Crew Lands in Soyuz After Successful Mission
Quarterly Earnings Reports
Gay Marriage in Iowa, Vermont
Astronauts Named for Next Space Shuttle Mission