25/8 Media and Publications

Before they became ‘American Fiction’s’ leading ladies on the big screen, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross and Erika Alexander were queens of the small screen who showed Black women just how powerful sisterhood can be. It’s only right to give these women their flowers as the cover stars of our Jan/Feb Black love issue — because Black sisterhood is Black love. ‘American Fiction,’ out in select theaters now and directed by Cord Jefferson, is a story of America in all of its dysfunction. “It is not easy as a Black actress to find roles where you are not written in the context of something else—where your identity is not because of something, or you’re just the setup for someone else. And what Cord Jefferson did in these moments that we appear on the screen, is ensure that we are whole people,” says Ross. During the Jan/Feb cover shoot, ESSENCE helped the ladies realize the connection of Black sisterhood they share through their mega-hit shows ‘Girlfriends,’ ‘Insecure‘ and ‘Living Single.’ Maxine Shaw. Joan Clayton. Issa Dee. For many of us, these women have been some of our first “girlfriends.” They were honest about our insecurities, even as they made living single look like a damn good time. Read the full Jan/Feb cover story on ESSENCE.com now and on newsstands December 26! #ESSENCE essence.com/cover-stories/si… Credits: Talent: @ealexthegreat, @issarae & @traceeellisross Photographer: @micaiahcarter Writer: @kimberlynatasha Stylist: @solangefranklin Creative Movement Director: @stephengalloway Erika Alexander Hair & Makeup: @fred4face Erika’s NRAY Locs by Debra Hare-Bey Issa Hair: @felicialeatherwood Issa Makeup: @joannasimkin Tracee Hair: @marciahamilton Tracee Makeup: @mollygreenwald Nails: @nails_by_yoko Set Design: @betteradams Tailor: @costumer.shirlee Retouching: @phtsdr Location: @nyastudios Visual Direction: @_mq______ Production: @themorrisongroup