Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide!

In this episode, I’m talking about why funding Black media is absolutely non-negotiable.

I’m unpacking how major fashion magazines rely heavily on advertising dollars—with over half of some issues filled with ads. But flip through those pages, and you’ll barely see Black-owned brands featured—or even Black faces in many of the campaigns.

While I get that advertising keeps publications running, the reality is most Black brands don’t have $50,000 or $100,000 to spend on a single ad page. This lack of access fuels a bigger systemic problem: fewer opportunities for visibility, growth, and recognition in the industry.

That’s why I created the Black Fashion Media Equity Program—to offer free ad space to Black fashion and beauty brands. Because if we want true representation and equity in fashion, we need to make sure Black media has the resources to thrive and amplify our stories.

Key Moments:

• Breaking down how much ad space takes up in big fashion magazines—and who actually gets those ads

• The financial hurdles Black fashion entrepreneurs face trying to afford premium ad rates

• How the lack of ad dollars ties into broader systemic issues around visibility and opportunity

• An inside look at the Black Fashion Media Equity Program and its mission

• Why funding Black media platforms is essential for long-term change in the fashion industry

Next Week Sneak Peek:
Next episode, I’m diving into Steve Madden’s viral interview, recapping Paris Men’s Fashion Week, and sharing what it’s really like running a fashion magazine as a Black editor. Plus—where are we supposed to shop now that these brands keep acting up?

🔗 Stay Connected:

• Apply for The Black Fashion Media Equity Program: https://advisormag.co/the-black-fashion-media-equity-program/

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• Website: www.akbrownstl.com

• Read Advisor. Magazine: www.advisormag.co