Ear Hustlin…Essence Editor in Chief Steps Down + She Responds on Twitter

Now confirmed, via  A Belle in Brooklyn’s and the NY Post   Essence editor-in-chief, Angela Burt–Murray, has stepped down.

According to her bio, Burt-Murray has bee the EIC since  2005 and has updated the magazine’s look to a vibrant and modern design, and created new sections to reach a younger, more affluent audience. Under her leadership, not only has the total ESSENCE audience grown by 8% (based on 2006 MRI data) but the median age of the ESSENCE reader has decreased, while the household income has increased – positioning the book strongly to its target advertisers.

According to the New York Post,  “She told staffers at a 4:30 p.m. meeting today that she is relocating to Atlanta with her family. According to sources, the company quietly began preparing for the move a few weeks ago but wanted to proceed delicately to avoid re-igniting a controversy that flared this summer when Burt-Murray appointed a white woman to the key position of fashion director.” Full story here.

(((Updated))) After the news circulated, Burt-Murray responded via twitter.

“So happy right now! Great 5 years at Essence working with best editorial team in the business and looking forward to the ATL! God is good!”