By: Phelicia Ball

By now, you should know that Elaine Welteroth is the heroine of fashion and pop-culture publications. Not only is she the editor in chief of Teen Vogue, she is the first Black editor in chief of the well known publication. Welteroth has executed that much needed Black girl magic that we have all been waiting for. From putting Chance the Rapper and Solange on the most recent cover of Teen Vogue’s music issue, to a feature of Olympic gymnast, Gabby Douglas and Blackish star, Yara Shahidi, Welteroth has fabricated a positive visual of people of color and groups of people who have been invisibilized by society. With Welteroth at the head of the table, Teen Vogue has gone against the grain of the popular and cynical stories pinned on communities of color and various groups shut out by society. All communities have been welcomed to have a seat at her table.

Welteroth has been entrusted with expanding the print and digital presence of Teen Vogue. In doing so she has also expanded the spectrum, always including people of color in the content. Whether it is an Instagram campaign informing others about the Dakota Access Pipeline; the truth behind Thanksgiving; Black Lives Matter protests; calling out the election of “President” Trump; or starring on Blackish—Welteroth has done it all!

We live in a media-driven world that thrives on the promotion and recognition of American beauty standards, incognizant of the affect this has on people of color. Not only does Welteroth look like many of us (girl, those curls are poppin’), but she advocates for communities of color like no editor in chief of our time ever has.

This is someone who has devoted their life to the representation of people of color; never afraid to take risks and always in tune with her audience. Welteroth is the mouthpiece of a new and fresh generation. With a culturally and politically driven content strategy, Welteroth has given Teen Vogue a fresh and youthful alternative, with no culture left behind.