Print
E-mail
Share
digg
Newsvine
Facebook
Stumble
Technorati
reddit
Fark
twittermedia:
Magazines aimed at local black readers now number 3
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Sam Morris
Rodney Smith was one of three people who launched Urban Voice about a year ago, but has since gone out on his own to publish Our Own Voices.
Joseph Abraham, publisher of Urban Voice, says he found inspiration in the 2008 campaign and election of Barack Obama.
Charles Tureaud and Kimberly Bailey-Tureaud publish Las Vegas Black Image in cooperation with the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Beyond the Sun
In a first for the Las Vegas Valley, three local magazines focusing on blacks are now available to readers.
They have in common monthly publication, an abiding editorial interest in “positive” news, free distribution and inspiration from Barack Obama’s presidency.
Their differences also highlight some of the key issues in the post-civil-rights-era discussion about blacks in America: ownership, class and image.
The most recent entry, Our Own Voices, published its first issue last month. The Urban Voice and Las Vegas Black Image have launched in the past year.
Charles Tureaud could have been speaking for all three when he said his venture with Las Vegas Black Image came out of seeing a “void,” a need to tell stories that weren’t being told. Tureaud is half of the husband-wife team that shares the publishing duties of his magazine with the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Mark Ludwig, associate professor in the communication studies department of California State University, Sacramento, said magazines and newspapers covering minority communities have historically filled a gap.
“General interest news publications tend to underserve minority populations,” said Ludwig, who has studied the effect of black publications on political participation in the black community. A recent study by New America Media, a California-based organization, estimates the nationwide audience for minority publications at 57 million.
For Rodney Smith, Our Own Voices is actually a second attempt at serving his community. He was one of three people who launched the Urban Voice in September 2008, along with Joseph Abraham, who is now publisher of the latter — and is white. Smith said he decided to go his own way because he thought the valley needed a publication that was solely in the hands of a black man or woman.
“No one sees things from the eyes of a people belonging to a certain cultural group like someone from that group,” Smith said.
Abraham said he “didn’t see it (the publisher’s race) as an issue, if we have a quality product that meets the needs of the African-American community.” He, like Smith, tends to consider that “community” as centered in the area known as West Las Vegas, a destination for blacks since before the Las Vegas Strip was desegregated in the 1960s, and an area that has suffered with poverty and crime. The August issue of The Urban Voice includes stories on the possible closure of a post office on Martin Luther King Boulevard and on the Las Vegas-Clark County Urban League, for example.
Kimberly Bailey-Tureaud, of Las Vegas Black Image, said publishing with a larger newspaper is a “strategic alliance” allowing her to “reach a broader audience,” meaning not just blacks. Similarly, her magazine’s subject matter isn’t confined to one geographic area. After all, “African-Americans live all over” the valley, she said. There are about 178,000 blacks in the valley, 9.7 percent of the population, according to 2007 Census Bureau estimates.
Las Vegas Black Image mines that community for profiles or interviews with professionals such as doctors, lawyers and architects, “to showcase a positive image” of black men and women. The magazine features entertainers on the cover to “hook” readers, Tureaud added.
Abraham and Smith hope to build connections to the communities they cover in a way larger publications cannot. “I can sit down and have lunch with readers,” Smith said. Similarly, Abraham highlighted the fact of his magazine’s office being located in West Las Vegas.
All three magazines have come to life in part because of Barack Obama, their owners said. Smith said he set off on his own after thinking about an Obama speech that included the phrase, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
“I thought, ‘Why wait?’ ” Smith said.
Abraham saw the 2008 campaign and election as an opportunity. “It was like, ‘This is our chance.’ We have a lot African-Americans with similar political ideologies who are engaged and serious about helping the community.”
The coming months will tell whether the three magazines can survive the recession. Smith sees crisis as opportunity. “News happens whether in a recession or not,” he said.
“People are hungry now for information and larger publications may not always give information to this smaller group of people.”
Discussion: 36 comments so far…
Post a comment
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Corrections officer with Metro killed in U.S. 95 crash
- The pull of a drug, a push to the brink
- Was there an ulterior motive in parking the stripper-mobile?
- Reid clears major health care hurdle, daunting weeks ahead
- Harry Reid’s hopes hitched to health care reform bill
- Notebook: The Shark and LJ circle
- CityCenter hotel welcomes new employees with gala
- Politicians waste no time spinning latest jobless numbers
- Willis makes big difference in UNLV’s 78-69 victory
- Forrest Griffin writes his own ending at UFC 106
Blogs
Culture and Entertainment
UFC 106 walk-in music: Griffin changes his tune, secures win over Ortiz
The Kats Report
For props, Lewis Black needs only his manic delivery and torrid material (7 Comments)
Elsewhere
Sands China raises $2.5 billion in Hong Kong IPO (2 Comments)
Marquardt v. Sonnen scheduled for UFC 109
Bloggity, Bloggity, Bloggity
Will a fourth consecutive title by Jimmie Johnson be good or bad for NASCAR? (4 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
The Jet Stream: And then there were four
Top Chef Episode 12: On keeping it simple
- Live chat
- Tuesday, noon PST
- Chat with Krista Creelman
- Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question
Calendar »
- 23 Mon
- 24 Tue
- 25 Wed
- 26 Thu
- 27 Fri
-
The Automatic Tour at The Square Apple
The Square Apple
-
Football specials at Diablo's
Diablos Cantina
-
Rhumbar presents Pink Sugar Mondays
The Mirage Hotel and Casino
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Our Own Voices is an AWESOME Magazine and Mr Smith is a wonderful man. Keep up the good work!!
I sure hope it works out too, because in the past K-Mart and Pic-n-Save had to close their businesses due to so much shoplifting... [I assumed the reason at the time that they did so was because they thought that robbery was OK because America Owed them something] and due to the Robberies Von's market had to hire armed guards to protect its grocery store which scared me so I didn't go back. I hope that since then they have realized that if you want a decent neighborhood with restaurant and stores etc., quit the crime. Now that Obama is president things will be better.
Now that Obama is president, things will deteriorate, you mean.
This all sounds pretty racist to me.
Where is my magazine aimed at local "white" people? Reverse racism at its finest
Where is my magazine aimed at local "white" people? Reverse racism at its finest
______________________________________________
Pretty much all of the others!
I believe the publication for and by white people is called the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
"white guilt" is a booming business i guess.
Funny how everyone can clearly see racism now, yet, never mind any other time.
It would only be racist if in the mag. they degrade other races.
as long as black people use "africa-american" instead of just "american"...they will always have the shadow of racism surrounding them.
Very true stevem. I for one am an American who happen to be black. Also afveteran, things were bad under Bush. They tried to keep this economic meltdown secret until after the election. Either way, McCain had zero chance.
I think it's a noble effort. Good luck.
I sure hope those magazines are telling their targeted audience to stay in school and get a job when they grow up.
This is a good thing for their communities and it's about time somebody publishes something other than the rape, hate and killing rapper music and videos.
Hopefully they target the right groups and break the cycle the democrats have pushed so hard to keep alive. There might be something positive come from these magazines.
There is hope after all if they're doing for the right reasons.
Stop Hating!!!...it reflects your insecurities. This is supposed to be a discussion about the article's content.
Now there is nothing wrong with a white person owning Black Media...think BET.
There is nothing wrong with a white news organization sponsoring a Black couple to penetrate the Black community...although I think the idea of using a "hook" is not very respectful of the community's intelligence...think BET. Are we fish?
There is something very uplifting and essentially noble about a Black man going out in this environment to serve the community as Mr. Smith is doing. And by the way i know him. he isn't an opportunist or doing it for the money. He loves the community and can be found at many community events and drives.
Good luck to all 3 magazines. The community cannot be over-served!!!
I too know Mr. Smith and he is a proud veteran of Desert Storm (Air Force). I am utterly proud of him.
I really don't think any one cares about Magazines or TV shows that are more of an interest to certain ethnic groups. I just think that the emphasis of that group causes resentment. For example BET. black entertainment! it's like being white you really have no reason to watch it or you wont understand it. You can say all other chanels are biased to whites(I don't see that personally) But I am sure that it would not be allowed to name a channel WET. And that is what causes resentment and division. Pretty stupid isn't it?
Congratulations Publisher Mr. Smith!
I see that Mr. Smith's Our Own Voices Magazine is published by an african american male that is really focused on celebrating the greatness of our diversity as a country. There is no greater city than Las Vegas that reflects the rich ethnic blending that is the backbone of what makes the United State of America unique on the world stage. I included Mr. Smith's publisher's letter in part because it touch me as a member of the Las Vegas Community and as a citizen of the USA. I invite everyone to hit the links of each featured publication because they each have a great deal to offer this community.
OUR OWN VOICES PUBLISHER'S OWN WORDS
The general theme is to help bridge the cultural and ethnic divide in America. I believe America is the greatest country on earth because of its cultural diversity, not in spite of it. I am proud of my culture and I want to share it with you as we all learn about each others. This month we visit Sinhalese Americans from Sri Lanka in Asia. Let us work together to build the greatest bridge in history to unite us one to another. In this first issue we also discuss firsts in family achievements with the Douglass sisters. As a people we have accomplished much yet we still have so much more to do. I hope their story inspires you to reach for your dreams too.
I agree whole heartedly AMG. I think this is an awesome publication. I'm excited that there is another FREE publication for the African American community. Mr. Smith, your efforts are sincerely appreciated! Keep up the good work.
As long as these private businessmen want to offer a product to Blacks, or any other group, and they get enough advertising revenue to support free distribution, I have absolutely no problem. While I am not in the target audience, I applaud business which finds a successful niche offering a perfectly legal product. I'd rather see this magazine than all the smut advertised to tourists. And as a white guy, I'm sure none of these publishers would have any problem with me reading a copy of their publication, even if I am a Republican.
I first want to applaud all three publications for reaching out to an underserved market in a positive way. Providing news that benefits this culture is important. As an ethnic group, we do not always have people willing to go into the community to assist and enhance its' lifestyle. Sadly, this will remain true during and post-Obama unless more people like these four take action.
Our Own Voices is a wonderful magazine that is well on its way in establishing itself within the community. Even from the number of comments left already you can see it has a strong following. Keep up the good work Mr. Smith. Your vision is being seen by many and you can only continue to touch people.
I know Mr. Rodney Smith & he's firstly a god-fearing family man so I feel his primary motive in the "Our Own Voices" endeavor is to promote positive relations among the Las Vegas community's diverse groups/races. I personally enjoy reading all of the local community publications, regardless of the targeted readership, because I often glean good information or find out about excellent community events. I recommend that we support any venture that attempts to bridge the gap and bring us together as a community, methods notwithstanding. I will continue to lend postive energy and support to anything that enhances human & community cohesiveness.
This is a great BOON for southern Nevada. With the cutbacks and financial onslaught facing print media publications its great to see some warriors EMERGING and mobilizing into ACTION when the Barbarians are at the Gate. WE all WIN when a positive story is told.
"god fearing" generally means ignorant and consumed with hate.
God fearing equals anti science stupid citizen.
Then again sexual predators like John Ensign are God fearing so it must be a very decent thing.
Get off your judgemental pedastal and come down to earth. You sound like a right wing loser yourself.
Hey Nick: I thought you were a moderate!
Moderates don't buy into the religous right and the flat earthers.
You snake handelers are really pathetic.
There is a need for all magazines and forms of print media to assist in illuminating the plight of minorities in America, especially since their stories of success traditionally does not receive mainstream coverage. It is not fair to compare a traditionally "White" magazine to a minority medium because typically minority ventures is not properly funded, and focus on stories not routinely covered.
There is more than enough room for all three magazines, and even more if we can find others that want to publish a newsletter or magazine. America has never had a period in its history that minorities could collectively voice their opinions, and these mediums provide this opportunity. We need to embrace these ventures and ensure that they receive the financial support needed to remain in business. We all have a collective stake in their survival.
If you are not already a subscriber to all three magazines, then you need to be! We owe a debt of gratitude to each one of these community leaders in supporting their commitment to our collective improvement. It really does not matter the race of the owner, what really matters is the character and actions of each commitment and dedication!
Please keep up the good work and I'm proud of you all for the magazines that you are publishing.
Mr Smitth's professional career and personal experiences makes him the chosen one to both represnt and engage our communirty - Our Own
Voices is what rhe community ordered!
Blessings to Rodney Smith.
Give the devil his due:
the commentator 'nick' is another race baiting minority who believes in the welfare system and programs like EEO, AAP, and other acronyms aimed at them.
We see it all the time. Instead of forging ahead on individual merits, they wait for government help.
SPEAK UP!
That is the whole premise behind Our Own Voices. I am happy to see that is exactly what is happening here. Whether good or bad the community needs to have a voice. I am extremely proud of Rodney Smith because he has chosen to focus on the good. He gives the community a voice and a forum to share their stories. Our Own Voices is uplifting, inspiring and lets people, regardless of race, age or gender, see that dreams can some true.
As people as a whole we need to have positive infused into out lives. Not only does OOV accomplish that, it lets the community know that what they have to say is important, OOV helps to give them a voice.
stevem
afveteran
i knew u would be hear just to rant, why do white ppl rant about things targeted for others?
telemundo? univision? blacks use different hair products, skin products,etc have a different collective history in America why not target them you always so your ignorance and jealousy when complaining.
BET?! MTV WOULD NOT PLAY ANY BLACK VIDOES (1981) UNTIL A RECORD COMPANY THREATENED TO BOYCOTT THEM. white privilege-- everything is targeted to whites in America and they DARE COMPLAIN!!
makeup, shampoo, when I visit the mall salons don't do black hair or have black products on their shelves (Boulevard, Galleria, etc)
reverse racism? idiotic term there's only racism duh! whine whine whine, oh blacks identify themsleves separately from us whine whine whine
your comments display the reasons why
as long as black people use "africa-american" instead of just "american"...they will always have the shadow of racism surrounding them.
yeah that's where racism came from blacks trying to identify themselves after being called the n-word since the 1300's how dare we.
we should have assimilated like the Irish, Polish, Jewish, then no one would have hung us, oh wait we can't , because we can't hide our skin color so we are easy to identify--stevem and afveteran always bring up race on every comment they make and them turn around and say see their always using the race card gtfoh!
I credit Rodney Smith with staying true to his convictions. He is passionate about his love of country and has served selflessly for all American's to have a voice. Mr. Smith's publication is a bridge to educate, stimulate, and effectuate positive dialog without a hidden agenda. For these reason's, I am an ardent supporter.
Juan
I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Rodney and getting to know him on a personal level. His ambition is inspiring and his latest success is of no surprise to me. I think what all of these people are doing with their publications is a very positive and meaningful contribution for enhancing the quality of the Las Vegas community.