Recently Teen Vogue announced it will merge into Vogue.com, and several staff members have lost their jobs. According to the union that represents them, six Teen Vogue journalist were laid off, most of them identify as Black women or Black trans people, including the politics editor. Some staff say that 70% of their team is gone, and there are now no writers or editors focused on politics. This is not just happening at Teen Vogue. Other big media companies like CBS, People Inc. and NBC have also cut jobs.
These layoffs very often only affect employees from marginalized communities, Teen Vogue’s changes are part of a bigger trend. Fewer reporters are covering important issues and the voices of diverse journalist are disappearing. This is devastating for many reasons especially at a time when access to reliable is more important than ever, for all us, and especially young people. Before diving deeper into why Teen Vogue should be a wake-up call I want to take a moment to thank all the journalist who have contributed to Teen Vogue over the years. Your work has not gone unnoticed and the world still needs your voice.
What Teen Vogue Meant
Teen Vogue has been a space young people, especially those from marginalized communities , could see their experiences reflected, learn about politics, social issues and culture and find trusted guidance. Without these dedicated voices, important stories may go untold, and young readers may have fewer trusted sources to turn to for accurate information. This makes it even more urgent to pay attention to what’s happening in media today and think about how we support diverse reporting in the future.
Teen Vogue was never just about fashion or beauty. Over the last decade it became a place where young people learned about identity, culture and current events. It was on of the few mainstream outlets that treated teens as smart and capable of caring about the world. It was also one of the rare places where Black women and trans journalist had leadership and creative freedom. They helped the magazine talk about race, gender and social justice in way that felt real and relatable. losing them is not just losing workers. It is losing voices that made readers feel seen.
Why This Hurts Teens
Taking away Teen Vogue sends a clear message about how our society sees young people. We keep asking why teens “don’t act their age,” why they seem older, more stressed, or more online. But then we remove the few spaces that helped them grow safely. When a magazine like Teen Vogue disappears, teens lose a placed that helped them learn how to think for themselves, talk about what matters and imagine the future. Without spaces made for them, teens are pushed into adult worlds that expect them to know everything while giving them nothing to stand on. Teens deserve their own spaces to learn, discover and be inspired. Taking that away does not just hurt journalism. It hurts a generation that is still trying to figure out who they are.
Who Gets Left Out
The fact that these layoffs mostly affect Black Women and Black trans journalist is not a coincidence. Across media companies the same patterns keeps showing up. When budgets get tight, the first people cut are often the ones who bring diverse voices and new ideas. This continues a long history of exclusion. When Black and queer people are not welcome in certain spaces, we have always built our own. The Harlem Renaissance is proof of that. Our ancestors created art, music and literature that changed culture forever because they were denied a seat at the table.
Support What’s Next: 6 Independent Magazines Leading the way
GROWN Magazine
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GROWN Magazine is a digital magazine and community created for young Black women, especially Gen Z and Millennials. It explores topics such as life, dating, career, culture, beauty, wellness, and personal development. The platform connects with women who are “grown but still growing” and creates space for honesty and evolution. Grown also releases digital covers that spotlight up-and-coming creatives who are making pivotal moves in the creative space.
Carefree Magazine
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Carefree Magazine is an online community and newsletter centered on Black women sharing their own stories. Its mission is to celebrate the in-between spaces of Black womanhood, highlighting not only achievement but also the real and often messy moments of growth. It covers life, love, travel, healing, and the journeys of dreamers, wanderers, and late bloomers.
FOCUS Magazine
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FOCUS Magazine is an independent online and print publication based in Brooklyn, New York. It highlights culture, life, music, and fashion through storytelling that includes interviews, poetry, photography, and opinion pieces. Their print issues spotlight emerging creatives, including artists, designers, and photographers, such as those featured in their “Visionary Issue.”
The 21 Magazine
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The 21 Magazine is a platform created for African women, particularly young adults. It covers pop culture, beauty, sex and relationships, career, and wellness. The publication centers African women’s narratives and encourages them to take up space, own their stories, and speak from their lived experience.
Radiant Health Magazine
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Radiant Health is a biannual print and digital magazine dedicated to the wellness of Black women. Its content focuses on holistic health, including fitness, nutrition, mental health, beauty, and lifestyle. The magazine is produced in a premium coffee-table format and is also available in digital form.
Sistah Magazine
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Sistah Magazine is a digital and print platform created to reclaim and uplift Black womanhood through storytelling, culture, and consciousness. It highlights spiritual, intellectual, and artistic narratives through essays, poetry, video, podcasts, and more. Its mission is to restore the identity, dignity, and divine nature of Black women while building a legacy rooted in healing and empowerment.
