- A) Can you walk through your profile and provide us with the answers to the following questions
- Kindly Give us an overview of your background and your role in the company.
1-2 Honeysuckle Magazine is a print and digital media publication that emphasizes diverse voices and high visual impact. We explore gender and sexuality, cannabis, hemp, racial politics, sustainability, and pop culture. Honeysuckle’s content reflects who we are: as educated, cosmopolitan women, we curate a publication that analyzes society, all the while providing a platform for real people to learn something new and to make sense of their place in our constantly evolving world. Our ‘boots on the ground’ reporting reflects that we live what we write, rather than just reporting on it. We are motivated by the collective desire to better ourselves and our communities through information, by giving a platform to voices of the underrepresented we give ourselves and others the opportunity to create the art and to spread the news that they want to represent them.
Founded in the heart of Detroit at one of the most painful economic times of that city’s history, Honeysuckle emerged as an outlet for cultural exploration, taking deep dives into environmental advocacy, art, social justice, and beyond. I merged my interests in journalism and film to create a source for intellectual curiosity with a soul – an educational, stimulating publication with high visual and cultural impact. Honeysuckle has always been a platform encouraging hope and individual expression in the face of challenging and extraordinary circumstances- even when facing an international pandemic.
We have helped create changeworthy effects on levels from the individual to the global. A recent article we published on Corona State Prison inmate DaReta Gail Steverson aided in her compassionate release. Steverson, who was imprisoned for 22 years, has leukemia and tested positive for COVID. Though parole-eligible, she was accruing medical debt and traumatized from denial of treatment to being shackled while receiving chemotherapy. Shawanna Vaughn, founder of Silent Cry, a nonprofit assisting families of those who are incarcerated, called us in tears over the news of her long-time friend and asked us to share her story. Due to the article’s publication in Honeysuckle Magazine, approximately 8000 signatures were able to be collected with the hyperlink being added. “Silent Cry Inc and DaReta Gail Steverson and family would like to thank Honeysuckle for giving voice to her story. Participating in the journey to freedom through Honeysuckle Magazine and standing for criminal justice and social change. Equals the power of journalism and the masses of people in support free people.”
“You helped me free a human,” Shawanna told us.
Historically Honeysuckle has an impressive track record of achieving remarkable accomplishments and major milestones, not to mention acclaimed content, with limited resources. We have established successful partnerships with several of the country’s top-tier universities, such as Columbia University and New York University, and numerous nonprofits and corporations, including New York Women in Film and Television, Silent Cry Inc., and We Are For Better Alternatives. We have pioneered progressive reporting, earning the highest possible honors from the New York State government – a Citation Award from the New York State Assembly (Assemblywoman Inez E. Dickens of the 70th District) for “significant contribution to the culture and community of New York City,” and an award from State Senator Brian Benjamin for “a progressive stance on the social and economic issues which plague our society.” Our landmark campaigns have changed decades of state policy, allowing new opportunities for marginalized communities to be heard.
We are recent recipients of the GlobalGiving grant from The Red Backpack Foundation, made possible by the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. This honor is bestowed upon women-led business and nonprofits who have demonstrated capacity to thrive amid COVID-19 setbacks and shifting economic circumstances. With our content consumed by audiences ranging from ages 18 to 94, from diverse economic backgrounds – incarcerated citizens to Ivy League university students to CEOs to farmers – we can claim one of the most varied and accomplished audience bases existing in the field of media today. We seek to create new opportunities for our audience to understand the importance of their individual voices and actions in contributing to a global whole.
As Honeysuckle has grown, especially since relocating its headquarters to New York, it has seen an expansion into areas of content and coverage that touch on all the major questions of our day: Why are our racial and economic disparities so extreme, and how can we improve them? How can we rectify the gaping political inequalities in our country? What is the future of our planet and how can we develop our job sectors to align with this? How are the youngest members of society coming into their own? In our coverage we address all these topics to the best of our ability, reporting from locations around the world to bring reasoned, informative and cutting-edge accounts to light for our audience. We provide an open-minded forum with the goal of empowering people to build the future they want for themselves.
- What were the past experiences, achievement or lessons that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
Past experiences that have helped me are a few things like learning to fall forward. Our society is obsessed with being perfect and not making ‘mistakes.’ However, the truth is that mistakes are the most empirical ways to learn. [Can you briefly describe one instance where a mistake has helped you?]
- Kindly mention some of the Important challenges that you faced during the initial phase of your journey.
I am an introvert, sometimes, so the idea of having to go out and be around people can be very challenging!! I go through long periods of not wanting to leave my house; learning to balance that was an adjustment. As a creative, that is kind of common. Also, bootstrapping sales from local businesses with the late Tony White. We would hit the paement in NYC’s Lower East Side and go door to door selling ads. It did begin some long-standing relationships that became longtime supporters of Honeysuckle.
- Describe some of the Important attributes that every transformational leader should have.
I think the ability to listen to yourself and face adversity. There will be a million reasons and people telling what you should NOT do. It’s challenging to move forward without mental and support. Find one or two people who encourage you. Positivity and belief in yourself – and others’ belief in you – go very long way. It’s everything, really! I personally listen to my intuition, but I don’t think that’s for everyone!
- How do you Make your product/solutions more creative and innovativeto appeal your target audience?
We ‘listen to the people,’ in a very real sense. We let our writers and readers inform us on important topics. While we do keep an eye to trends, we are not married to or stifled by market trends. We strive to be authentic and organic in our approach and find subjects that are meaningful to us and the world around us.
- How are Innovative technologies impacting today’s innovation and how has the role of a leader has changed over the years?
I don’t know how leaders have changed over the years, though I do know that the presence of many more female leaders will change the dynamic inherently. I think women are less likely to want to dominate the entire situation, and more likely to listen and be more open to other points of view and those of their teams; which leads to better leadership in some cases. The best teams have a mix of energies and personalities.
- How do you see the company and the industry in the future ahead?
Honeysuckle is scaling and we are finding our place in the digital media scape. We will continue hitting topics that are important to us, such as the environment and social justice issues, racial politics and prison reform. We also love our arts and culture. Our hope is to align with like-minded brands who can act as supporters and sponsors of our burgeoning, forward-thinking media house.
- What is your advice for Fledglingwomen leaders?
I don’t like to separate leaders by genders, and actually I don’t love the term ‘leader.’ I think that ultimately people should be the leaders of themselves in whatever form that takes. For me, I wanted creative, intellectual and financial freedom, the latter of course the most challenging to come by! I really don’t like when people tell me what to do and I enjoy a fast pace of thinking and making my way through life. Very few industries and bosses can provide that for me at a level I find compatible, to me and so I created it for myself.
Quote: “Financial, creative and intellectual freedom are the most important elements in life to me along with my loved ones. I merged my interests in journalism and film to create a source for intellectual curiosity with a soul – an educational, stimulating publication with high visual and cultural impact. Honeysuckle has always been a platform encouraging hope and individual expression in the face of challenging and extraordinary circumstances.”
