Straight outta the FishbowlNY inbox:

BLACK BOY MAGAZINE
"Building, Inspiring, and Motivating You to Greatness"
www.blackboymagazine.com

For Immediate Release
Finally ... a Magazine for Black Boys!

Brooklyn, NY (July 28, 2006) — Feona Sharhran Huff, a veteran journalist, has exciting news. She has recently embarked on a mission of building, inspiring, and motivating black boys to their greatness by creating Black Boy Magazine. This quarterly print publication - with an annual subscription for $16 -- will debut in September 2006. As a result of her being the Education Field Reporter for Our Time Press Newspaper (www.ourtimepress.com) where she did a Three-Part Series on "Black Boys and Education," coupled with the fact she's a single mom raising a Black boy (and girl), Feona was compelled to create a magazine for Black boys, ages 2 to 17.

"Black boys have nothing on an editorial level to empower them, show them love, or give them direction as well as an opportunity to develop the tools necessary to succeed in life," says the 31-year-old magazine founder. "That's what Black Boy Magazine will do. And, although my son is only three years old, I have named him Co-Publisher. After all, I'm raising a Black boy to be a man and I must empower him right now. I am building the publication so that he can one day run it."

In the debut/Fall 2006 issue, Black Boy will offer the following articles:

The War on Our Boys: Saving Them From the Education Trappings

Why Every Black Boy Should Own a Suit

Teach Them Responsibility Starting at 2 Years Old

B-Ballin' Scholars: They're Swift on the Court and in the Classroom

Introducing Your Son to Non-Traditional Sports

He's Not Bad — He Just Wants You to Show Him Some Love

Up Against the Wall: How to Overcome Rejection From the Get-Go

Editorial departments will include:

Knowledge: Articles on education in and out of the classroom

Culture & Lifestyles: The goings-on of Black-boy living from their perspective

Sharp Shooter: Covering articles on grooming, style, fashion, and visual presentation

Powerhouse: Profiling need-to-know-about athletes and sports-related issues

In every issue, readers can expect:

Attention, Please!: The publisher's column where she has the opportunity to speak to her readers.

I Hear You: Similar to "Letters to the Editor" - where people can respond, praise, or rant about articles covered in the magazine.

Keep Ya Head Up: A column focused on providing words of encouragement and empowerment.

"I think I'm great because..." This will be an opportunity for boys to consider what's cool about them. This builds self esteem -- and leaders!

And, of course, there will be several feature articles per issue. Feona encourages all interested writers to send her queries or to submit articles for publication.

What Feona is also excited about is the fact that Black boys and Black men will be able to openly express themselves and have a viable vehicle in which to do so. Additionally, the boys - in particular - will be picking up writing skills and learning the business of publishing through their participation. "Black boys have been written off so badly that its time to renew their faith in themselves and in the power that they truly possess for greatness," Feona shares. "I say: If not now, when? If not me, who?"

In addition to publishing Black Boy Magazine, Feona is also the publisher of Solo Mommy Magazine (www.solomommy.com) — the publication dedicated to empowering single moms with savvier ways to live a simpler life." Plus, she's a regular writer for Black Enterprise, The Network Journal, Our Time Press, The Infinite Greek, and CB Teen. She's a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., New York Association of Black Journalists, and Phenomenal Women Empowerment Alliance. As one who's big on empowerment and entrepreneurship, she's busily building up businesses for her son and daughter.

What People Are Already Saying...

"I love your idea, your concept, and your project. I LOVE your subjects you're covering. You're coming out hard-hitting right off the top. You're coming out swinging. You have really hit a niche market with your emphasis on black boys. There isn't much out there for them -- not even with men publishing magazines and newspapers. Work it!" Donald L., copyeditor, Baton Rouge, LA

Note: Nevermind the "Do black boys really need a magazine?" debate and potentially-irreversible resumé damage for the two-year-old co-publisher when the magazine fails — what about that "2 to 17" demographic? Sementeen doesn't even cast that wide a net.

EARLIER: Ironic Sementeen Cover Prompts Unironic State of Teen Boy Mag Discussion