Angela Burt-Murray named to top editorial post at 'Essence' magazine
Appointment marks return to black women’s magazine
(July 18, 2005) Angela Burt-Murray, currently executive editor of Teen People magazine, has been named editor-in-chief of Essence magazine, it was announced today by Susan L. Taylor, editorial director of Essence Communications, Inc. The appointment becomes effective August 8th.
Burt-Murray, 35, becomes only the fourth woman to be editor-in-chief in the 35-year history of the nation’s leading publication for African-American women. Her appointment ends the search for a successor to Diane Weathers who retired from the post in March. Burt-Murray previously worked at Essence from 1998 to 2001 as fashion and beauty features editor.
”I couldn't be more excited about Angela re-joining us," Taylor told Target Market News. "She's knowledgeable and focused. She has a history of fine leadership and she wants to serve black people. She know who we are and the Essence way of doing things.”
Burt-Murray has had a fast-rising career in women-oriented publishing field. She joined Teen People in April 2001 as beauty director, then was named features director and assistant managing editor before being promoted to executive editor in October 2003. As executive editor, she helped execute the magazine's editorial mission, oversaw its staff, top edited its entertainment and real life departments, and managed the title's budget. She is credited with conceiving some of Teen People's most important features, including its annual s*x survey.
Prior to Teen People, Burt-Murray was executive editor at Honey magazine. Her work as a writer has also appeared in Working Mother, Parenting, Heart & Soul, Atlanta CityMag, and Black Elegance.
Burt-Murray is the co-author, along with Denene Millner and Mitzi Miller, of the critically acclaimed humor book, “The Angry Black Woman's Guide to Life” (Dutton), and the forthcoming novel, “The Vow” (HarperCollins/Amistad). She is a member of National Association of Black Journalists, the American Society of Magazine Editors, and has made numerous television appearances.
A graduate of Hampton University with a B.S. in Finance, Burt-Murray resides in South Orange, New Jersey, with her husband of nine years, Leonard Murray who is a partner in an asset management firm, and their two young children, Solomon and Ellison.
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Monday, July 25th 2005 at 10:59PM
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