Essence Hires White Managing Editor – Is It Really a Problem?

Essence Magazine is in the news again after recently hiring a new managing editor.

Around the same time last summer, former editor Angela Burt Murray announced to hire Ellianna Placas, a white woman, as the new fashion director.

Recently, the magazine, which is known as the black women’s guide, has hired Micheal Bullerdick as their managing editor. So what’s the “controversy” you might ask? Michael is a man, and he’s also white. As the managing editor, Bullerdick will manage the day-to-day operations of the magazine.

Editor-in-Chief, Constance C.R. White, defended her decision to hire Bullerdick.

“He has no involvement in editorial content of the black women’s publication.”

However, the hiring decision seems to be a problem as those ponder whether there were any qualified black women or any women at that matter to fulfill the position?

CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Unheard Voices Magazine, Chenelle Covin, stated “I do not find the hiring of Michael Bullerdick a “problem” because diversity is a wonderful thing. However, let’s also not forget why these publications began in the first place.”

Writer on Black Voices and Founder of “Your Black World Coalition” Dr. Boyce Watkins stated “I’d love to see what lies in Bullerdick’s background that makes him a stronger voice for black women than black women themselves.”

What are your thoughts? Is Essence Magazine wrong again for the hire decision or they are hiring based on qualifications regardless of race?