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LET’S TALK : A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR<br />
MAGICAL<br />
THINKING<br />
After the emotional and cultural tsunami that<br />
was 2017, we all could use a heaping<br />
serving of hope. Thankfully, two of this<br />
year’s most highly anticipated movies—both<br />
with African-American directors at the<br />
helm—will soon be hitting theaters worldwide.<br />
A-list talent from one of them, A<br />
Wrinkle in Time, graces this month’s cover.<br />
Both Wrinkle and Black Panther (which<br />
also debuts this winter) encourage us to<br />
believe in the magic that is within us. We’re<br />
allowed to imagine a world where the possibilities<br />
are endless, where our sense of self and<br />
centeredness are undeniable.<br />
Of course, these are fictional realms, and we have to be<br />
present in the real world that we have inherited. I think it’s<br />
important, then, that we have faith in our ability to make<br />
our own magic, wherever we are. Whether it’s renovating<br />
the basement into a roller-skating rink party (one of my<br />
favorite viral videos of 2017); exploring a wide range of<br />
opportunities, like the 15 Black women we feature in our<br />
package on STEM’s new guard; and yes, even transforming<br />
the minds of our young people, who will see themselves<br />
reflected on the big screen this winter in ways I couldn’t<br />
even dream of when growing up, I am sure all will have an<br />
indelible impact.<br />
Seeing is believing. Let’s resolve to celebrate every<br />
victory, big and small, in <strong>2018</strong>. Write and tell me the ways<br />
you are making the world a magical place for you, for your<br />
community and for all those you love.<br />
Stay in touch,<br />
VANESSA K. DE LUCA<br />
Editor-in-Chief<br />
Twitter: @Vanessa_KDeLuca<br />
Instagram: @vanessa_kdeluca<br />
E-mail: Vanessa@essence.com<br />
Let’s resolve to<br />
celebrate every<br />
victory, big and<br />
small, in <strong>2018</strong>.”<br />
MORE WAYS TO ENJOY ESSENCE<br />
YES, GIRL! PODCAST<br />
We’ve married two things we love: podcasts<br />
and interviews with bold, brilliant, beautiful<br />
women of color. ESSENCE’s Yes, Girl! podcast—<br />
hosted by staffers Cori Murray, Charli Penn and<br />
Yolanda Sangweni—is an audio gabfest with celebs and<br />
influencers such as Gabrielle Union, Tiffany Haddish, Erykah<br />
Badu and Symone D. Sanders. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts.<br />
ESSENCE FESTIVAL <strong>2018</strong>!<br />
Searching for the ultimate squad goals trip for<br />
your crew? Look no further than the <strong>2018</strong><br />
<strong>Essence</strong> Fest. We’re transforming this year’s Festival—taking<br />
place July 5–8 in New Orleans—into a dream destination<br />
that includes something for everyone, with a weekend full of<br />
music, food, fashion, empowerment and more. From the free<br />
daytime activities to our ticketed nightly concerts featuring<br />
music’s biggest names, you won’t want to miss a moment.<br />
Learn more at <strong>Essence</strong>Festival.com.<br />
LOOK FOR THESE ICONS TO DISCOVER<br />
DIGITAL CONTENT:<br />
ESSENCE.COM<br />
VIDEO<br />
DE LUCA, MICHAEL ROWE. YES, GIRL! STILL, TENEILLE CRAIG.<br />
8 ESSENCE.COM FEBRUARY <strong>2018</strong>
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