Janet Mock, Dr. Bernice King, Jesse Williams and More, Grace The Cover of British Vogue’s September Issue

What a time to be alive!

Multiple Black activists are featured on the cover of British Vogue’s September issue, including Dr. Bernice King, Janet Mock and Jesse Williams. 

The “Activism Now” issue pays homage to people fighting on the front lines to create change in the world, from abolishing systemic racism to disability discrimination and gender inequality. Vogue U.K. hopes that by featuring these prominent figures on the cover of all 26 editions, they can convey a global message of hope, Yahoo reports. 

The magazine features 20 activists that were photographed by a diverse array of photographers including Reginald Cunningham, who photographed his wife, Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Philip-Daniel Ducasse, Texas Isaiah, and Chrisean Rose. The portraits include activists Tamika D. Mallory, Janet Mock, and Brittany Packnett Cunningham, actor Jesse Williams, model Joan Smalls, author Reni Eddo-Lodge, organizers Yvette Williams (Justice 4 Grenfell), Patrisse Cullors-Brignac (Black Lives Matter) and Janaya Future Khan (Black Lives Matter), BBC radio host Clara Amfo, legendary activists and educators Dr. Bernice A. King and Angela Davis and BLM protestor Patrick Hutchinson. Gurls Talk founder Adwoa Aboah and professional footballer Marcus Rashford are on the front cover, shot by Misan Harriman, the first Black male photographer to shoot a British Vogue cover. 

 

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In the weeks following the killing of George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter movement gave voice to a global cry for change. For the September 2020 issue of @BritishVogue we wanted to amplify those voices. From those tackling systemic racism, disability discrimination and domestic abuse, gender inequality and the climate crisis, @AfuaHirsch meets the activists determined to make a difference the world over. See the full portfolio in the new issue, on newsstands and available for digital download Friday 7 August. #VogueHope Featuring: @Meenals_World @TamikaDMallory @RizAhmed @JanetMock Professor Angela Davis Jane Elliott Alice Wong @Disability_Visibility @IJesseWilliams @JoanSmalls Photographed by @MisanHarriman, @PhilipDanielDucasse, @KingTexas, and @EddieH__

A post shared by Edward Enninful, OBE (@edward_enninful) on Aug 3, 2020 at 9:15am PDT

 

British Vogue editor Edward Enninful explained the intent behind the issue, saying, “This month, all international Vogues, of which there are currently an impressive 26, are uniting to dedicate their September covers to one shared theme: hope. I knew instantly and deeply believed in what British Vogue’s interpretation needed to be - an ode to the extraordinary voices, old and young, who in this difficult year have devoted their energies to fighting for a fairer society. In the week’s following the killing of George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter movement gave voice to a global cry for change. For the September 2020 issue...we wanted to amplify those voices.” 

The September issue is widely considered the most important edition for a publication and Enninful has continued to use that platform to share space and give voice to a wide range of issues. Last year, HRH, Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle served as guest editor, casting 15 women in her “Forces for Change” issue. 

Vogue U.K.'s September 2020 issue, featuring an in-depth story about each activist by journalist Afua Hirsch, will be on stands August 7th.

Photos Courtesy of Vogue U.K.