Stylists Suite News: October 17th Edition

Happy Friday, Stylists Suite Insiders,

This week, we’re raising the bar. Our industry insights are now officially behind a paywall,  a move five years in the making. After collaborating with elite Shopify vendors and world-class web designers, I’ve built a platform worthy of the power players shaping media today.

This isn’t just content,  it’s Strategy and Access to your next career move. Only subscribers will gain full access to the editors, opportunities, and intelligence driving the industry forward.

If you’ve subscribed, welcome to the inner circle. If not, it’s time to join us.

EDITORS ON THE HUNT 

NEW YORK POST BEAUTY& LIFESTYLE REPORTER SEEKS NEW PITCHES

Victoria McDonnell, Reporter, posted this week that she’s looking for pitches on beauty opportunities, where fresh product launches and endless possibilities await your imagination. Got a new beauty launch, new product, here’s your time.

Email Victoria at vmcdonnell@nypost.com 

BOLTS MAGAZINE IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FREELANCERS 

Bolts is a digital magazine that covers the nuts and bolts of power and political change, from the local up.

Bolts is always seeking to work with freelancers to report on critical voting rights and criminal justice stories across the United States. They encourage pitches that fit their mission to grow coverage of the local and state politics, elections, policymaking, and organizing that shape these issues.

How to Pitch Guidelines are here: If you want to pitch a story that you want to Rate: $800 per story.

THE LOCAL SEEKS STORIES ON HEALTHCARE PRIVATIZATION FOR WINTER ISSUE

The Local is a non-profit online magazine covering urban health and social issues in Toronto. Their editors are calling for pitches for its winter issue focused on healthcare, specifically interested in stories about privatization and the intersection of money and health. 

Payment starts at $0.75 per word. Email: Executive Editor: Nicholas Hune-Brown nick@thelocal.to

THE OBSERVER (UK) IS ACCEPTING “TIMELY STORIES

Patricia Clarke, The Observer is looking for scoops and/or thoughtful analysis on business topics. Tech tips are welcome. Observer is recognized by American readers broadly due to its Sunday edition. Rates are .40 per word. How to Pitch: Email patricia.clarke@observer.co.uk

SOUTHWEST CONTEMPORARY IS SEEKING PITCHES FOR SPRING-SUMMER 2026 PRINT ISSUE

Southwest Contemporary is “the leading resource for contemporary arts and culture in the Southwest.” They are accepting pitches for their Spring-Summer 2026 print issue, themed “The Road.” They want to “explore The Road as an idea, as function, as experience, as connecting space and sinew.” 

They’re “interested in highlighting artists who are examining roads materially and conceptually—from time-honored trails to soaring concrete cathedrals of freeway overpasses.” 

Rates range from $100 to $500 per piece.Deadline Nov 7. More information Here. Contact Natalie Hegert, arts editor, at natalie@southwestcontemporary.com. 

GREY JOURNAL IS LOOKING FOR PITCHES

As the fastest-growing publication in entrepreneurship culture, GREY Journal is your backstage pass to the world of new ventures, innovative ideas, and all the latest trends. They posted recently that they are open to you, Entrepreneurs, to share your creative pitches on topics that include "How AI is powering the next generation of film and TV storytelling."

Send a pitch to journal@discoverGREY.com, 

CONTINGENT MAGAZINE IS SEEKING PITCHES FOR THEIR DECEMBER ISSUE, “A TIME OF MONSTERS”

It’s here! The call for pitches for the deluxe December issue, “A Time of Monsters,” supported by a grant from the Kitchings Family Foundation.For this year’s special December issue, Contingent Magazine is now inviting pitches for essays (800-1500 words) that offer historical perspectives on monsters in any geographic or temporal context. We are eager to publish stories that are specific, surprising, and engage with primary sources. All kinds of monsters are welcome. Pitch us:

• on mutants, hybrids, and engineered life;

• on supernatural entities, mythical creatures;

• on whatever is “monstrous” from the perspective of your historical subjects.

For consideration, use the form on our Pitch Us page and select “Monsters” from the drop-down menu. The submission window closes on Monday, October 20, end of day, with notifications to follow within a week. Essays will be due November 21 for publication in December. Please note the quick turnaround time for first drafts and revisions. Compensation is $300.

THE NEW YORK TIMES FELLOWSHIP 2026 

The New York Times Fellowship is a passionate, one-year paid program aimed at helping the next generation of top journalists. Journalists will hear from mentors, gain feedback, experience opportunities, and partake as full-time journalists. Applicants should have no more than five years of journalism knowledge and must be permitted to work in the U.S. The deadline to apply is November 19 at 5 p.m. ET.

EDITORIAL MOVES

This week, our Editorial Moves section celebrates new roles, career milestones, and major professional advancements across the industry — featuring standout platforms like Essence, Teen Vogue, NBCUniversal, and The New York Times. These leaders continue to shape culture, innovation, and representation, inspiring the next wave of creative excellence. Introduce yourself!

AIYANA N. ISHMAEL, NEW STYLE EDITOR at TEEN VOGUE

Meet Aiyana N. Ishmael, a compelling voice in journalism who explores culture. Her work has been seen in Teen Vogue, Refinery29,  Essence, and Cosmopolitan. Through her features, Aiyana sparks meaningful conversations about online identity, fashion, and representation.

Instagram: aiyanaish

Twitter: @aiyanaish

LAUREN MARINELLI, NEW  HEAD OF EMERGING BUSINESS at NEW YORK TIMES

Meet Lauren Marinelli, a media executive determined to share the future of digital platforms. For more than a decade, she has played key roles working with top media companies like Refinery29, Brit + Co, ELLE Magazine, and Vox Media. Her expertise blends with creativity, and her commercial partnerships boost both impact.

TORI JACKSON NEW SR.MANAGER, PRODUCT MARKETING AND SALES STRATEGY at ESSENCE 

Meet Tori Jackson,  whose work bridges culture and marketing. She plays a key role in building platforms that foster brand partnerships. Her work has been featured in  “AT&T Dream in Black, and the Essence GU Yard Tour. 

Instagram:@toriuptown

EDEN GORDON, NEW FREELANCE WRITER at BUZZFEED 

Meet Eden Gordon, a New York–based writer and musician, who has written for publications like POPSUGAR, SELF, and Slate. After graduating from Barnard College she began to blend journalism with innovative nonfiction, crafting stories that mixed the universal and the personal.

Portfolio:https://www.clippings.me/edenariellegordon

Instagram: edenariel7

EDITORIAL ACCESS

The energy is bright across homecoming weekends, especially when experiencing HBCU football games and Afro Teach. The crowd shouts, the band's drums, and alum pride. Each matchup is more than a game — a festivity of history, district, and Black greatness. 

WINSTON- SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY HOMECOMING 2025 

Date: October 13–19, 2025

Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Overview: Winston-Salem State University’s Homecoming 2025 will light up the city with a week of Ram pride and celebration. Events include the Red & White Affair, RamFest Concert, and Greek Step Show, showcasing HBCU culture, music, and unity. 

LINKS for more info????

AFRO TECH: THE HUMAN SIDE OF HIGH PERFORMANCE: LEADING THROUGH CLARITY, CONFIDENCE, AND SETBACKS

Date: October 23, 2025

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

Overview: This year's AfroTech session explores today’s creators, leaders, and developers who have created excellence in every norm. Panelists will talk about techniques to strengthen confidence, transparency, and setbacks in the future world of tech and business.

Click here for complete webinar registration. 

TENNESSEE STATES  vs. HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Date: October 18, 2025

Location: Nashville, TN

Overview: Tennessee State and Howard University are set to clash in a highly anticipated showdown, paying homage to their growing legacy.