Black is beautiful. While we know this and have known it, there’s nothing like seeing our melanated brothers and sisters gracing magazine covers. Earlier this month, Essence magazine unveiled its May/June cover featuring Cardi B, Offset and their blended family. This was a beautiful spread, but it was also an addition to previous magazine covers featuring Black celebrities in all of their opulence.
Whether it’s this superstar family gracing the cover or Vice President Kamala Harris exuding fabulousness on the cover of Vogue, we love to see it. When we think of representation, we must continue to see covers like the aforementioned to know that we can do anything. Check out our list of eight iconic magazine covers featuring Black celebrities.
1. Vice President Kamala Harris: Vogue, February 2021
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Vice President Kamala Harris’ appointment was historic for several reasons, mainly because she’s the first Black woman to hold such a position. In the cover story photographed by Tyler Mitchell, VP Harris discusses her and President Joe Biden‘s plans for the future.
2. Offset and Cardi B: Essence, May/June 2022
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The Cephus family stunned on the latest cover of Essence, which was photographed by AB+DM and styled by Kollin Carter and SheShe. The couple chatted with the legacy publication about their blended family and how they balance it all.
3. Beyoncé: Vogue, September 2018
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If Queen Bey is going to do anything, she’s going to slay. Photographed by Tyler Mitchell, the starlet dishes on body acceptance, the birth of her twin children and more.
4. Rihanna: Harper's Bazaar, September 2020
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Our favorite cosmetics mogul looked absolutely fabulous on the September 2020 cover of Harper’s Bazaar. The feature, captured by Gray Sorrenti, delves into Rihanna‘s journey to becoming the empress of all things skincare and makeup.
5. Issa Rae: Self, September 2021
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We may be missing Insecure these days, but we can forever swoon over these photos of Issa Rae. Andy Jackson captured the beautiful photos of our favorite creative (who’s styled by Jason Rembert) as she discussed setting boundaries between her professional and personal lives.
6. Venus and Serena Williams: Harper's Bazaar, February 2022
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Renell Medrano captured the lovely Venus and Serena Williams as they covered the February 2022 issue of Harper’s Bazaar. Styled by Samira Nasr, the Williams sisters talk about their journey to stardom and the King Richard film that is based on their trajectories.
7. Naomi Campbell: British Vogue, March 2022
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Styled by Joe McKenna and photographed by Steven Meisel, Naomi Campbell broke the internet with this cover. Why? Because she took this opportunity to introduce the world to her newborn child and gushed about her during the interview. Black motherhood is beautiful.
8. Megan Thee Stallion: Sports Illustrated, September 2021
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Megan is the ultimate hot girl, and it’s good to know that Sports Illustrated knows it, too. Megan, the first female rapper to grace the cover, was photographed by James Macari, and it’s giving what it’s supposed to give!
What’s your favorite magazine cover? Are there any that you’d add to the list? Let us know, below.
