Jamaican editor of Essence magazine sacked

White gets wiped along with two colleagues at the United States’ leading magazine for black women.

NEW YORK, United States, Friday February 15, 2013 – Jamaica-born Constance CR White, the veteran journalist credited with returning Essence magazine to a showcase for black women of diverse skin tones and hairstyles, has been shown the publication’s door, as have Beauty Editor Corynne L Corbett and Creative Director Greg Monfries. 

Essence spokeswoman Dana Baxter confirmed White’s departure, saying that Vanessa Bush, the executive editor, "will step into Constance's role in the interim as managing editor," and declining further comment, according to theroot.com website.

An announcement issued when White was named to lead Essence in 2011 said: "White was previously the founding Fashion Editor for Talk magazine, a celebrated Style Reporter for The New York Times and the Executive Fashion Editor for Elle magazine. She also served as Associate Editor at Women's Wear Daily and W magazine and began her career at Ms. magazine, as assistant to co-Founder Gloria Steinem."

Immediately prior to her Essence appointment, the seasoned journalist was style director, brand consultant and spokeswoman for the online company eBay. 

Essence, owned by Time Inc, ranks second in circulation to Ebony among magazines targeting African Americans and is the United States’ leading magazine for women of colour.

Under White’s watch, Essence was said to have shown women of varying skin tones and hair styles and tackled more subjects that bolstered the self-esteem of its audience.

Last year, at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in New Orleans, White noted that the publication was looking for models among everyday women because editors were not satisfied with the look of the professional models available. "Street Style" went on to become a regular feature.

White’s departure comes during a downsizing in which Time Inc, the world’s biggest publisher, is cutting some 500 jobs. Fourth-quarter numbers indicated that revenue was down seven percent, to a piddling $967 million. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)