Johnson Publishing has named journalist Kierna Mayo as the new editor-in-chief of Ebony magazine, following Mitzi Miller’s departure from the position earlier this year.
Serving as co-creator and founding editor-in-chief of Honey magazine, Mayo comes to the position with years of experience and has penned articles for Essence, Vibe, Marie Claire and several other publications. She came to Ebony in 2011 as its editorial director and has been leading the magazine since Miller’s exit. Under her leadership, the publication has produced three issues including covers that feature Kendrick Lamar, Wendy Williams and most recently Tina Knowles Lawson. Mayo, who will work out of the company’s New York office, says her goal at Ebony is to revive the “maverick spirit” the magazine had in the 20th century, using a provocative approach that tackles topics from celebrities to race relations.
[Related: Ebony Editor-in-Chief Mitzi Miller Leaves Johnson Publishing Company]
In addition to Mayo’s promotion, Ebony has appointed Kyra Kyles as the new head of digital editorial. Kyles joined Johnson Publishing in 2011 as a senior editor for Jet and most recently was the editorial director of the publication. Prior to her role there, she produced a pop culture column called “Kyles Files,” which had a weekly broadcast segment on Chicago-based WGN-TV.
“Both women have strong print and digital backgrounds,” said the company’s Chairman Linda Johnson. “We want them to always be thinking across platforms.”