Magazine Celebrating Black Women in Food Nears Crowdfunding Goal

Klancy Miller, a chef-turned-writer who's appeared in Food & Wine and The New York Times, is creating the publication she wants to see in the world.

Called For The Culture, it’ll be a twice-a-year print magazine written about Black women in food and wine—written by Black women and photographed and illustrated by Black women. At the time of this post, Miller's Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign has just 72 hours left to meet its $40,000 goal. If it does, the first issue will be out this summer.

“Black women really are at the root of kitchens and cuisines in this country from the very beginning,” Miller says. “After Native Americans, it’s Black people. There’s a lot of shaping of culture that Black women have done, and definitely through food. I feel like that continues to happen, but Black women’s stories aren’t centered. I want to see what it would look like if Black women tell these stories, photograph these stories, and illustrate these stories.”

To Miller’s knowledge, For The Culture would be the first of its kind. And she draws inspiration from other successful independent magazines like Cherry Bombe, for which she has written, as well as Whetstone and Jarry.

Despite reportedly being on its deathbed for decades, print is alive and kicking as many small, indie publications continue to grow. While a crowdfunding campaign is necessary for her first issue, she’s looking at a subscription model moving forward. She’s also looking at corporate sponsorships and events in the short term. (Marcus Samuelsson has already offered one of his New York restaurants as a venue space.)

In the long term, the sky’s the limit. “I think this project has the potential to be to grow into and develop into a media platform,” Miller says. “Yes, a podcast could be definitely something that develops. An event inspired by the magazine could also be something that develops, maybe even a TV show.”

For now, Miller is focused on the next 72 hours. So far, she’s raised half of her $40,000 goal before her crowdfunding campaign closes on Sunday. A large portion of this money is for printing costs, as well as for paying writers—whom she’s looking for, by the way.

Follow along at her Instagram @klancycooks, and get in touch there if you want to contribute. Donate to her campaign here.