Getting closer to the end of my decluttering and minimizing efforts, I’ve rediscovered my old issues of Honey and Suede. I’ve filled several trash bags with most of my magazine collection but I just can’t let them go.
As a teen, I remember feeling that Essence and Seventeen weren’t for me. Honey spoke to young black and brown girls and understood us. And when Honey folded, Suede came along to carry the torch and make it shine brighter.
In every single of it’s innovative and eye-catching pages, Suede unabashedly honored black and brown girls as the purveyors of fashion and style. I was in love with it all from the table of contents to the very last page. Suede was a publication before it’s time and sadly, it was shelved after only four issues.
Sending love + gratitude to Honey’s original founders, Joicelyn Dingle and Kierna Mayo and Suede’s founding editor-in-chief, Suzanne Boyd. Thank you for truly seeing girls like me and allowing us to see ourselves.
