Four years after a major shakeup, Essence is still struggling to find its new essence.
The magazine’s new boss, Caroline Wanga, is either a “narcissist” ruling a “culture of fear” — or a mentor “fostering” a “new generation” — depending on who you speak to as a rift runs through the brand.
Essence is expanding at the same time its staff and C-suite is shrinking. Parent company Sundial Media Group recently welcomed youthful digital entity Refinery 29 to its corporate family on Essence’s behalf.
But we’re told an allegedly “toxic workplace culture” continues to permeate the halls of the leading lifestyle magazine for black women.
Multiple sources told the workplace environment has left “a trail of black women who are sick, traumatized and victimized,” as one source put it.
The alleged workplace grievances at Essence come four years after an anonymous essay called for change, and resulted in the resignation of its top brass.
The issue forced the resignation of several top execs, including former CEO Richelieu Dennis, who purchased the company from defunct Time Inc. in 2018.
He appointed former Target DEI exec, Caroline Wanga, as a new president and CEO.
But several sources familiar with the situation tell us, “he is still heavily involved in day-to-day operations.”
We also hear that at least seven top female executives — who were new hires — have exited the company under Wanga’s tenure so far, with several saying they left due to her management style.
“There’s no women in leadership outside of Caroline. She’s very jealous when it comes to women,” an insider claimed, referring to the C-Suite make up.
“She’ll go around give these interviews and ridiculous advice as this corporate mentor guru rooting for Black women and it’s the biggest crock,” another source said. “She’s made several black women’s lives hell [at the…
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