photo by steed media service

Not long ago, Tamara Weston noticed a lack of lifestyle publications geared towards teen girls of color. Rather than sit back and lament the situation, she decided to do something about it. In April, Weston launched Esteem magazine; a lifestyle magazine that targets urban females ages 12–19.

“I like to call it a cross between Essence and Seventeen. A lot of the teen magazines that we have out today are mainly fashion or entertainment,” she explains. “But those [magazines] don’t have enough content about [teen girls] as people.”

Weston says her magazine includes a wide range of topics ranging from health to relationships to self-esteem issues. Esteem also has an online component that provides users with inspirational messages. “We call it ‘Daily Affirmations.’ Every day the girls can go and see one inspirational thing that they can say to themselves that day. Affirmation is so important for our young women,” Weston says.

Another element that she believes will draw readers is the fact that some of the content will be generated by the readers themselves. “We offer them opportunities to write in. They can submit stories, fact or fiction. It can be anything they want it to be,” she reveals.

While she knows that the magazine won’t change the world, Weston takes comfort in knowing that it could make a difference in a reader’s life. “Our mission is not to solve the problems of today’s youth, it’s to provide them with an outlet to seek answers to help them with their problems and let them know they’re not alone.” - ivory m. jones

For more information about Esteem, visit www.esteemthemag.com.

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