Our Story
shades Magazine was founded in 1998 by Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig. With a dream of creating a news publication that would serve Women of Color and underrepresented communities, and to set-up an organization where these women could find support in achieving their goals, Fitzhugh-Craig spent several years working to make her dream a reality.
In November 2010, shades Magazine launched its full, online publication covering a diverse mix of topics from agoraphobia to bullying; family and health care to travel; racism to religion; and introduced readers to women whose voices needed to be heard.
A new and updated site relaunched at shadesmagazine.com, continuing with the news, feature stories, information, videos and visual storytelling that helped make shades the award-winning and respected publication the media industry has come to know. It also is proud to boast nearly 10k fans/followers on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
shades Magazine is the publication of the nonprofit Exceptional Women in Publishing (EWIP).
Our Values and Mission
VALUES
shades – Celebrating All Women of Color – Magazine® believes that constant education is essential to developing a greater understanding of one another within a diverse community. We are dedicated to publishing information and views that support and recognize Women of Color who have historically faced discrimination and racism.
shades Magazine strives to encourage action among our readers. Share our stories and your experiences. Volunteer your time to support social justice for Women of Color. Stimulate conversation among your peers. Make a contribution to create a better world for the next generation.
MISSION
shades Magazine is an online news and information publication that covers and highlights the concerns, issues and stories
of ALL Women of Color, but primarily those who are African American, Hispanic/Latina, Asian/Pacific American and
Native American, as well as the underserved groups within these communities.
This uniquely diverse organization has one mission: To promote intellectual enhancement, spiritual enlightenment and cultural enrichment.
The publication’s goal is to serve as a news and information site, education and resource tool and outlet for diverse voices for these women and for anyone who supports our mission.
Our Team
Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig | Founder/Publisher
An award winning journalist, Michelle is an experienced writer, editor, instructor and new media journalist who has more than 25 years in the print and online journalism arenas. Her knowledge in these areas also propelled her into the contract PR/Marketing arena, with a strong focus on communications, social media and graphic design.
Some of Michelle’s most recent editorial work includes teaching Cultural Diversity in News Media at San Francisco State University and Digital Graphic Design at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication; being a part of the Comms Team at the Wikimedia Foundation; and serving as Managing Editor of Oakland Local, News Editor for SF Public Press and as city editor for Globe Newspapers and the Oakland Tribune.
Michelle has been an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists, holding several Board of Directors and leadership roles during my tenure, and am the current president of Exceptional Women in Publishing.
Learn more about Michelle at msha.ke/mfc3media.
Janice Lee | Managing Editor / Director of Marketing & Social Responsibility
Janice is a strategic management and communications consultant. Her
career in community development has included work with homeless families, domestic violence survivors, health advocates, civil rights lawyers, small business owners, merchant association members, employment training and job development staff, and affordable housing developers. She is the former Deputy Executive Director of the national office of the Asian American Journalists Association and has served on the Board of Directors of Hyphen magazine and Exceptional Women in Publishing.
Learn more about her at LinkedIn.com/in/JaniceLeeSF.
Photo credit: Andria Lo
Our Commitment to Community
AWARDS
In 2011, the National Association of Black Journalists presented the inaugural Ray Taliaferro Entrepreneurial Spirit Award to shades Magazine – Celebrating All Women of Color. Pictured are Taliaferro with shades Magazine Founder/Publisher Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig and when – during the same year – he was inducted into the NABJ Hall of Fame.