#ESSENCEMPIRE
Edward Lewis
Publisher/ Co-founder
May 1970
Words of Wisdom from
Entrepreneurial Expert
"We just had this desire to bring something into the world that black women could feel good about—to give hope, to provide jobs, to provide a voice for black women ... to begin to see their voices, to begin to see themselves in the pages of a magazine that they could call their own."
"We expected it to become pretty much what it did become. The audience, I think, accepted Essence's mission and the execution of that mission almost immediately."
Clarence O. Smith
Founder/Publisher/Print Pioneer
May 1970
Together Lewis and Smith worked to publish a women’s magazine that would contribute to the social and economic rise of African Americans. They created "The Essence formula", which included chronicling the dreams and aspirations of a diverse, contemporary group of women who sought advice on everything from relationships to politics, to beauty tips. Lewis and Smith delivered a clear message to advertising executives of the time that they would need an attitude adjustment in their perception of Black beauty after reading their magazine.