10 Badass Women: The Journalist Edition
To celebrate Women’s History Month, this is an ode to the women reporting vital stories during such a dire time in journalism.
In a time when reporting the truth is crucial, it’s imperative to acknowledge the groundbreaking women journalists who cover necessary stories and topics while putting themselves at the forefront to present the facts. With layoffs, media shutdowns, budget cuts, and a competitive job market, these ten journalists are pushing through the hardships. While we praise every woman journalist who accurately reports, we chose this bunch who covers everything from fashion to politics this Women’s History Month.
Devine Blacksher
Devine is true to this, not new to it. As a journalist for over ten years, she began her career as a publicist, making her way into fashion journalism. She served as a fashion editor at The Cut and has written for The Infatuation, The Strategist, Nike Journal, and more. She co-founded To Many More (TMM) NYC and is Essence’s senior fashion editor. She often speaks at panels and events, as she is an influence on journalists everywhere.
Cortne Bonilla
One word that comes to mind regarding Cortne is chic. She has mastered the ins and outs of the fashion industry and reports on all things trendy. Her bylines include Editorialist YX, Harper’s Bazaar, Allure Magazine, Sunday Riley, Revolt TV, and more. Now, she’s the fashion market editor at The Cut. Did we mention that her wedding was on the cover of Over the Moon? She’s that chic.
Mankaprr Conteh
Mankaprr probably wrote all of your favorite music stories. While she’s dabbled in all things arts and culture throughout her career, she’s gained significant recognition at Pitchfork and is making her mark as a writer at Rolling Stone today. Her recent notable cover stories for Rolling Stone include 21 Savage, SZA, and Janelle Monae.
Kayla Curtis-Evans
Kayla is your go-to for all things arts, culture, and fashion. She serves as the creative editor at Hypebeast and is living her best life. Her dozens of stories have been featured in Office Magazine, i-D, V Magazine, VMAN, Brooklyn Magazine, Very Good Light, Photobook Magazine, and more.
Ana Escalante
If anyone knows the fashion industry, it’s Ana. Her passion for fashion began at the University of Florida’s Rowdy Magazine and blossomed into bylines for ELLE UK, Teen Vogue, StyleCaster, and Making it in Manhattan. She’s also worked at Glamour and Paper Magazine and is now the assistant editor at Who What Wear.
Tess Garcia
Tess is a force to be reckoned with. She’s written for over a dozen publications, including V Magazine, Mixed Feelings, Victoria’s Secret, Netflix’s Con Todo, TikTok, Teen Vogue, and many more. She’s also a community manager and voice lead at WORTHI. She’s interviewed everyone from Jack Harlow on the cover of Teen Vogue to Don Omar for Remezcla and teenage asylum seekers for Teen Vogue.
Aiyana Ishmael
If you’re tapped into the journalism world, you know Aiyana is really that girl. Her career began as the Editor-in-Chief of FAMU’s newspaper Journey Magazine. Since then, she’s reported iconic stories at The Cut and the Wall Street Journal and is now the associate editor at Teen Vogue. She has her own bi-monthly style series called CTRL+C to test whether celebrity outfits are plus-size-friendly.
Kerane Marcellus
Kerane moves in silence, but her stories speak volumes. Her extensive bylines include NBGA, Very Good Light, Office Magazine, Complex, Cultured Magazine, Soho House, and more. Now, she remains booked and busy as a fashion writer at Essence, where she covers everything from events to upcoming designers and celebrity news.
Skylar Mitchell
Skylar has all the knowledge—in what seems like everything. The Spelman College graduate began her career as a social justice fellow, which led her to become a coordinator at CNN. She’s now a social media editor at Them and a contributing writer at Essence. One of her most iconic cover stories was Myha’la Herrold for Teen Vogue.
Noella Williams
Noella is one of the most multifaceted journalists we know. Not only is she a DJ, but she is passionate about reporting on Black culture, queer identity, food, politics, music, and entertainment for publications like Teen Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, the Washington Post, and Uproxx. She also writes editorial at Apartment Therapy, is a Letterboxd connoisseur, and recently landed her first cover story with Marie Claire Magazine.
