Even in times of civil unrest, Black people still find creative ways to honor our culture.
Last week, in an effort to reimagine the magazine covers of Vogue, Black social media users started a trend — coined as the #VogueChallenge — to recreate said covers with Black models and photographers further showcasing the beauty in Blackness.
According to The Cut, the #VogueChallenge was created in response to Anna Wintour’s published letter last week — obtained by Page Six — that admitted: “Vogue has not found enough ways to elevate and give space to Black editors, writers, photographers, designers and other creators.”
The idea behind the challenge calls for change in the entertainment and fashion industries to ensure more diversity and opportunities for Black people and POC.
The social media trend took off so much that people then pivoted to recreating covers of esteemed Black magazines with the #ESSENCEChallenge, #JetChallenge, #EbonyChallenge, and more to pay homage to publications that have always highlighted and served Black culture.
The #EssenceChallenge pays homage to @Essence—our mother brand that's been serving Black women deeply for 50 years. For our official take on the hashtag, we collaborated with @tinaqueen_15, a young Black creative on the rise. ✨ https://t.co/s4zgUJYO7j pic.twitter.com/U7LUVgqbvG
— Girls United (@EssenceGU) June 12, 2020
Scroll through to see some of the best covers recreated on social media below:
#ESSENCEChallenge
Let’s make this popular instead. #EssenceChallenge #chadlawsonphotos .
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.@tasharriel @mochateee @zyaishajane pic.twitter.com/rROvAeCuZj— pushin🅿️ics (@chadlawsonphoto) June 11, 2020
#ESSENCEChallenge
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBYvVpKHm9l/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
#ESSENCEChallenge
Vogue has had more than enough time to to highlight black creativity. Essence always has. #EssenceChallenge pic.twitter.com/jM1whmOFPp
— abracadabra ™ (@destinyallera) June 11, 2020
#ESSENCEChallenge
#ESSENCEChallenge
The true MVPs of celebrating black ingenuity #EssenceChallenge pic.twitter.com/m7ffkJT21u
— Kiera Please (@Kieraplease) June 11, 2020
#ESSENCEChallenge
https://twitter.com/Ohwaawaa/status/1270838141788848131?s=20
#JetChallenge & #VIBEChallenge
Saw the vogue challenge trending & decided to switch it up & highlight Black Magazines that Heavily influenced my life growing up! #jetchallenge #vibechallenge pic.twitter.com/tA82JPeCFP
— deanthony ✪ (@deanth0ny) June 11, 2020
#EbonyChallenge
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBbb-bHlGzC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
#EbonyChallenge
I opted for the black publication. #EbonyChallenge pic.twitter.com/r5w1BWqNzO
— Vincent Marc (@MarcMyStyle) June 11, 2020