http://www.womenofcolormag.org/

Women of Color Magazine, Los Angeles, CA (2025)

04/27/2022

✨Happy Hump Day Everyone!!🤗✨

We hope by now, you all know we love celebrating Women of Color Owned Businesses and spotlighting the amazing work of so many wonderful women!

Now, we’re not sure how everyone is getting over the hump today but we here at Women of Color Magazine are easing over that hump with our delicious custom Treat Boxes from !!! 😍😍🔥🔥🧡🧡 Isn’t it GORGEOUS!!! I mean it has everything we need to get keep a smile on our face while we continue our daily grind!! And it has our logos and branding!! I mean, we’re loving it!! 😍🔥🔥

If you’re in need of a pick me up, want to do something special for yourself, because self-care is an absolute MUST!! - or want to something nice for the office, a loved one, your business or the Mothers Day Holiday that’s coming up, make sure to connect with to place your orders ASAP!

Trust us, you’ll love it!! They’ll even throw some wine in with your orders!!👌🏽✨ Let them know we sent you!!

04/20/2022

✨National Poetry Month Featured Poet✨

Cristina Beltran, is a poet and visual artist of Mexican American descent. Cristina is also an advocate on critical issues affecting women and young girls. She often serves as a life coach and counselor to many young women in the South Central LA area. Cristina is currently based in Los Angeles, California.

Cristina emphasizes in using her platform as an artist and mother, to touch on subjects that may be taboo for many women. For example, domestic violence, sexual abuse, child loss, infertility, and among other critical women’s subjects.

We asked Cristina to share a bit of what she believes her focus and mission is and she says, “My main focus is to empower more women to open up about these things and know they are not alone.”

Women of Color are disproportionately affected by the lack of resources in terms of mental, emotional and physical support. Cristina, herself, has been a safe space in a sense for many women and young girls who need someone on their side. Sometimes it’s just listening to their stories that helps to empower these women. “I like to give women that push to become better versions of themselves and not feel ashamed to admit when they need help. There is nothing more beautiful than knowing you have a sisterhood of strong women to back you”, says Cristina.

Cristina’s organic and wholesome energy is contributed to the fact that she has also experienced similar circumstances as the women she has counseled. She uses poetry and visual arts to help her express herself. Cristina shares a poem titled, “Reign”, a poem she wrote while experiencing one of her toughest feats as a mother.

“Reign”

In the darkness of that dark room I wept
Twelve short weeks I carried you
Five long years I buried you, deep in my heart
Alas a rainbow shines bright you see, a small piece of heaven was sent back to me
In the midst of all the pain there’s a little bit of joy after the rain
And though this may never fill that void you left deep in my heart your presence and your memory is kept
To learn more about Cristina, her poetry, visual art and her community work follow her .belle ✨

04/11/2022

✨Our Monday’s Motivator Inspired by a WOC Writer✨

Soeun also known as Judy was born in Seoul, Korea. Judy is a writer, a student, YouTuber and an actress in training. Judy has lived in Canada, UAE and here in the United States.

Soeun grew up loving stories, reading and writing them and has grown to appreciate the art of writing. At Women of Color Magazine we understand how writing can be a tool for expression, so we asked Soeun how has she used writing and how has it helped her. “Reading and writing stories was how I learned English, and how I entertained myself as an only child of divorced parents in a foreign country”, she says. Judy shares how writing is currently allowing her to process her thoughts and experiences. “Now it’s a way I process my past, explore my present, and ponder the future. I can imagine giving up other things but I can’t imagine giving up writing haha”, she laughs. She goes on jokingly saying, “I’ll probably write till my deathbed—something very possible as I’m not very physically gifted (fit) ahah.”

Judy’s will to continue to focus on her goals, have a sense of humor about her experiences, travel and follow her passions has led her to discovering some interesting facets of her own identity, which is why we believed sharing her story would motivate others especially Women of Color to do the same. We dove a little deeper and asked Judy to share a thing or two on what she’s currently passionate about. “As a third culture kid exploring cultural clashes, particularly internally within individuals, is something I’ve grown to be passionate about.”

Judy’s current project is centered around just that, an autobiographical novel fictionalizing her adolescence/young adulthood, growing up with clashing cultures and how she redefines what her identity means to her. She explains, “It explores hating, then rediscovering and slowly falling back in love with my Korean identity. It’s framed as a love story, but more of the love for a home country, than just two people.”

To learn more about Soeun’s journey as she explores Korean culture and life follow her on IG at and definitely subscribe to her YouTube Channel at Soeun In Seoul! ✨

04/05/2022

✨National Poetry Month Feature Poet!✨

Toi Derricotte, the author of several books of poetry, the cofounder of Cave Canem, a national poetry organization committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of African American poets. She served as a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets from 2012 to 2017. Born in Hamtramck, Michigan and received her B.A. from Wayne State University and M.A. in English Literature from New York University.

“BLACKBOTTOM”

When relatives came from out of town,
we would drive down to Blackbottom,
drive slowly down the congested main streets
- - Beubian and Hastings - -
trapped in the mesh of Saturday night.
Freshly escaped, black middle class,
we snickered, and were proud;
the louder the streets, the prouder.
We laughed at the bright clothes of a pr******te,
a man sitting on a curb with a bottle in his hand.
We smelled barbecue cooking in dented washtubs,
and our mouths watered.
As much as we wanted it we couldn't take the chance.

Rhythm and blues came from the windows,
the throaty voice of a woman lost in the bass, in the drums, in the dirty down and out, the grind.
"I love to see a funeral, then I know it ain't mine."
We rolled our windows down so that the waves rolled over us like blood.
We hoped to pass invisibly, knowing on Monday we would return safely to our jobs, the post office and classroom.
We wanted our sufferings to be offered up as tender meat,
and our triumphs to be belted out in raucous song.
We had lost our voice in the suburbs, in Conant Gardens,
where each brick house delineated a fence of silence;
we had lost the right to sing in the street and damn creation.

We returned to wash our hands of them,
to smell them
whose very existence
tore us down to the human.

04/04/2022

✨Monday’s Motivator Series inspired by a WOC Entrepreneur✨

Maggz Robertson, is a mother, entrepreneur, Founder & Creative Director of her clothing brand, Motivated & Dedicated (M&D). Maggz is born and raised in Paramount, California.

Maggz who also spent some time as a girls high school basketball coach, understands the importance of inspiring young girls, women and her community to remain motivated and dedicated to their dreams. We asked Maggz, what inspired her to create this brand and she said, “I always knew I wanted to start an apparel brand, it just took me to experience a few things in my life to actually start.” She goes on to say, “There were some personal goals I was “Motivated & Dedicated” to accomplishing, and with that mantra ingrained in my mind and heart, I knew that would be my brand name.”

M&D represents positivity and most of all letting individuals know that they can accomplish anything and everything they put their mind too! There’s no doubt that the encouragement is needed in today’s world.

We dive a bit deeper with Maggz’s mission to find out what she’s passionate about, “I’m passionate about my brand because I want to especially get my message across to the youth. Those teenage years are where I feel it is important for them to know about hard work and dedication! I want them to know that when you set goals, keep that motivation, do the work, be disciplined, and stay dedicated, great things will happen for you. Just like my slogan says “GET MOTIVATED. STAY DEDICATED.” Great things will happen.”

To follow Maggz’s journey and support her brand follow .dedicated.apparel New apparel will be dropping soon! ✨

04/04/2022

✨Happy Jazz Appreciation Month!✨

Also known as JAM we celebrate this month to acknowledge and honor one of the earliest and iconic art forms. Some say, it’s some of the best music ever made!

We’ll be sharing the stories and music of WOC, past and present who have paved the way for Jazz to become so iconic. 🤎

04/02/2022

✨Happy National Poetry Month!✨

During the month of April we will be sharing works from WOC poets and writers, past and present. To kick off we’re sharing a poem written by our Founder & EIC, Elissa J. Granger ✨👇🏽

As a woman I am powerful beyond measure.
A creator of human life.
An innovator of things needed and a trailblazer that opens doors.
The power to take away and the power to remove all negative when needed.
My value is in how much I can do for others.
My peace is knowing I do the best I can everyday, and that that is enough.
My world is as big as I make it.
My heart is humble because I’ve failed.
My mind is strong because I’ve succeeded.
My love is true and honest, because I am honest and true with myself.
My hands are healing to everything that I touch.
My frequency is felt no Matter the distance.
My energy and vibe requires me to grow.
As a woman I am powerful.
Powerful beyond measure. - Elissa J. Granger

04/01/2022

✨WHM Recap!✨

Women’s History Month is often celebrated by sharing the past stories of women who came before us and that is honestly very good and well and respected. However, we at Women of Color Magazine wanted to spotlight the everyday women who are currently making history (herstory). In the month of March we were able to share stories and experiences of some really amazing women who are really making an impact. We hope we were able to introduce you to different scopes of professions, multidisciplinary artists, business owners, mental health advocates, poets, travelers, nonprofit leaders, women of faith, children’s advocates, mayoral candidates and clinical psychologists who are also master gardeners to name a few! 🤗

We dropped some really dope and amazing gems on y’all for Women’s History Month. And no one’s story was quite the same, but we all have similarities. We women are innovative, creative and we are determined. This month of April we will continue to spotlight, inform, educate and share the stories of WOC because that’s our mission! ✨

To support the women we spotlighted during Women’s History Month follow and engage with their accounts below! But like seriously, follow them and Engage! ❤️‍🔥✨

Estee Marie:

Yuki’s Lifestyle Brand

Audrey Smith:

Sabrina White:

Mrs. April M. Collins:

Rashonda Bartney:

Raina Carrillo:

Teanna Ross:

04/01/2022

Women’s History Month Spotlight!

Teanna LaNise (Teanna Ross), MBA, BFA, is a Peer Support Specialist, Domestic Violence Counselor & Advocate, Branding & Marketing Strategist. Ms. Ross is the CEO + Founder at Kreative Eye Design; Co-Founder of Shy Boutique, Business Consultant at Vermont-Slauson Development Corporation, Director of Marketing at Jazzy Jam For Empowerment and Program Coordinator at Painted Brain. Ms. Teanna Ross is originally from and currently based in Pasadena, CA.

Teanna is an absolute force to be reckoned with to say the least. We asked Teanna to share a bit of her story on how she found her path to entrepreneurship. “I was laid off and almost finished with my Masters Degree. It was a scary time because back in 2008 the entrepreneur wave was not as talked about or prevalent like it is now. But I had the brightest idea, to bet on myself, when I’d never seen anyone around me start a business. School was definitely a motivator and set a foundation after I completed my MBA.”

Understanding the confidence it takes to step out into a risky market of entrepreneurship without even an example of how it was to be done it commendable, she goes on to say, “My children are my main motivators. My goal is to leave them with a legacy. I think that, that is one thing we as a community don’t put enough emphasis on - leaving a legacy for our kids so they don’t have to start from scratch.”

Teanna has excelled as an entrepreneur founding and managing a successful brand and marketing company, but her community work has been inspiring to witness. As mentioned Teanna is a Program Coordinator at Painted Brain, a peer-run mental health agency supervising a team of Crisis Counselors providing group and one-on-one counseling sessions. Teanna tells us about the impact she and her team members have made. “We have made such an impact within Los Angeles and Alameda Counties, attending community events, providing hygiene, selfcare and PPE supplies as well as linkages to mental health, housing and food resources. Esprit Jones and Myself run a weekly group just for Black Women to come connect and talk with one-another about issues that we face as a community.”

Aside from her mental health work dedicated to the betterment of Black Women and Black Mothers, Teanna takes her community work a step further as Director of Marketing for Jazzy Jam For Empowerment. She and the team just completed their first quarter event providing free prom dresses and accessories to junior and senior high school girls. When asked how she felt about the impact they made to support over 200 young girls in the Pasadena and LA areas she says, “Due to the pandemic we all were separated and couldn’t make the impact we wanted. This year we wanted to bring all the girls together to let them know their community is here for them. Many girls are experiencing mental health concerns because of Covid and we wanted them to be able to come out and spend time with their community, because we care.”

Teanna ends with sharing her mission and perhaps her vision moving forward, “My mission is to work and connect with like-minded individuals and organizations looking to create change, bring awareness to initiatives, and challenges that BIPOC communities are up against and shining a light on opportunities that are birthed out of our need to be heard, seen and cared for in an impactful and life-changing manner. I have a deeper inspiration instilled in me by women who have poured into me over the last 15 years. I am standing on their shoulders and will continue to be the change I’d like to see.”

To connect with Teanna, support her mission and support her upcoming projects follow her ! ✨

04/01/2022

"I use positive reinforcement daily because I believe mindset is everything. You have to put out positive energy if you want positive results and it starts with how you think. When you train your mind to think only positive thoughts, that is what you will attract." - Audrey Smith,
Founder, Baby Girl Twin Scents for

03/31/2022

Women’s History Month Spotlight!

Raina Carrillo is a 43 year old Mexican American with French Creole heritage. She is a wife, mother, community leader, business advocate and nonprofit founder.

Born and raised in Inglewood, California, Carrillo had a troubled upbringing as a second-generation gang member. Her life experienced a shift back in 1995 when she joined a Violence Prevention Program called Peace Colors in her sophomore year of high school. Despite being labeled as a "Hard-Core" gang member of a violent, well known street gang, she received support from mentor, Gloria Virgin, who was an Inglewood Firefighter. Due to this support Raina was able to graduate from Morningside High School in 1997. Since then Carillo has made significant strides in her life, graduating with an AA Degree from LA Southwest College in 2002 and in 2007 she received her certification as a Gang Interventionist from Cal State L.A. University. Raina also graduated from Cal State Dominguez Hills with a BA in Sociology.

Carrillo is now embarking on a new journey, running for Mayor of Inglewood on the 2022 ballot. “Running for Mayor of Inglewood is bigger than me. I am here to be a servant to my community, to hear them out”, she says. She goes on to express the importance of Gang Intervention in Inglewood along with assisting the homeless crisis especially when it comes to veterans.

We asked Carrillo what are your plans for education and she says, “We need to get our school district out of debt.” Carrillo goes on to say, “Our local businesses deserve support. Our Inglewood residents who are renters need more resources for low income/permanent housing instead of being displaced.”

Raina is challenging the status quo, where she may be the first woman of color to be elected as Mayor of Inglewood. We asked Carrillo what keeps her motivated, “I learned to shut out the outside noise "naysayers/haters" and following my purpose on earth, to help my community on a bigger level. I'm grateful I am alive to share my testimony and to tell my children that, "Mommy is running for Mayor". I want to inspire my children.”

To learn & support Raina follow

Women of Color Magazine

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