Today we’d like to introduce you to Amani Sams.
Amani, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Since high school, I have known that I wanted to be a journalist. I took a broadcast journalism class in ninth grade and I was hooked. I would come home from school and watch the infamous 106 & Park show on BET and I dreamed of one day having their jobs.
I started my magazine five years ago while still in college. I had just been let go of my internship with a bridal magazine in Atlanta because I didn’t have a car and the owner “needed someone that could be there every day.” At first, I was devastated but, I took this situation as a sign from God to start my own path in journalism and Aman Magazine was born. The magazine started off as a blog and then I decided to turn it into a full-blown publication. Aman Magazine is a bi-monthly online publication that is based in Atlanta, Ga. The publication focuses on fashion, beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle for millennial women of color. Now, we have a teen division that relates more to teen topics such as prom, managing school life, and college life! Whereas, our Aman Magazine Latina division is in Spanish and focuses on beauty, fashion, and trending topics in the Latin culture.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been several challenges along the way! Everything from people not supporting me to people that were apart of my team flaking on me last minute. I remember working with this one photographer that was so excited to be apart of the team. Then, when it was time for the next shoot, he canceled two hours before the photoshoot through text message. He said, “I am still in Vegas and my flight won’t be back in Atlanta today.” You can imagine how frantic I was. I am pretty sure that he knew he wasn’t going to make it back in time prior to two hours before the shoot. Delivering news like that through text message is super unprofessional and I never worked with him again.
My advice to other women in media is to never give up on your dreams. You have to believe in yourself and your vision and never give up. The field is saturated but no two journalists are the same. There is someone waiting for you to tell their story! The secret is to find your niche and stay consistent and your hard work will soon pay off.
What should we know about Aman Magazine? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Aman Magazine is a brand known for pop culture and delivering Atlanta news to all millennials. We are also best known for our annual Christmas party where our team and readers come together to celebrate the holiday, where we also collect teddy bears and donate them to the Atlanta Children’s Shelter for children in need.
Pricing:
- Aman Magazine’s Photo Shoot Package (perfect package for entrepreneurs, authors, actors, and artists) $300
Contact Info:
- Website: amanmagazine.wordpress.com
- Email: amanmagazine@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @aman_mag
- Facebook: Aman Magazine
- Twitter: @amanmagazine1
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/amanmagazine/?eq=Aman&etslf=6157
Image Credit:
Shaunelle Murphy @acephotos
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
