Edward Lewis, co-founder of Essence Magazine, is defending his decision to sell the legacy publication to Time Inc. after recent criticisms from recently ousted editor-in-chief Constance White and Essence readers.
In an interview with Journal-isms, Lewis said he would “absolutely” sell the black women’s magazine if he had to do it all again.
“It’s very difficult for any size magazine to be standing out here alone without some other support elsewhere,” Lewis said on his decision to sell the publication in 2005.
White, whose departure from Essence went public on Feb. 8, blamed repeated clashes with Time Inc. editor Martha Nelson, who White says tried to limit the way black women were portrayed.
“To change the voice, I don’t think would make any sense. They don’t have a clue about African Americans. That’s where we came in, and where we have come in for 43 years,” Lewis said.