Cover Reveal: Meet Spoken Black Girl Issue 6 Beauty Cover Artist, Julie Atkinson
Dear Spoken Black Girl Readers,
The time has come once again to make our voices known and heard in this great American literary cannon that we as Black women writers are an integral part of, no matter how much the powers that be wish for our silence. At SBG, we will persist in publishing voices that exhibit exceptional literary merit, while also embodying the heart of Spoken Black Girl’s mission to uplift mental health. This issue goes deeper than your typical beauty magazine.
You’ll find moments of softness, as well as more confronting pieces that ask us to self-reflect. In this issue we explore beauty as both liberation and resistance, sharing the ways we honor ourselves through care. You’ll find stories that are relatable, yet fresh, poetry that delights, and visuals that will stay with you long after you've put the magazine down.
That experience all starts with a cover, and for this issue, we are honored to feature the painting “Solitude” by Julie Atkinson, a visual artist from the San Francisco Bay Area. The soft, quiet power of the painted figure reflects the journey of every Black woman who has gone through so much to reclaimed her voice and her softness.
I have to say that when I first saw Julie’s art, it resonated with me deeply and activated my imagination. I hope it does the same for you.
With Love & Liberation,
Rowana Abbensetts-Dobson
Editor-In-Chief of Spoken Black Girl Magazine
Meet Julie!
Julie Atkinson is a visual artist from the San Francisco Bay Area. She began painting while working as a lawyer, learning techniques and art history through library books, online videos, and community center classes. In 2020, Julie was inspired her to take her figurative art practice in the direction of exploring Black female identity in a way that liberates Black women from societal assumptions, reclaiming the personal from the political realm. Creating this work became an opportunity for her to exhale, heal, and imagine. Julie’s work has been exhibited in galleries and public spaces around the San Francisco Bay Area and the country, including as part of the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago in 2022.
Learn more about Julie’s work on her website, www.julieatkinsonart.com
Follow Julie on Instagram
Cover Reveal!
What to expect in the new issue:
New contributor voices as well as return contributors 💞
Spoken Black Girl Community Awards for outstanding contributions 🙌🏾
More stunning visual art!😍
Resources on Safe Beauty Without Compromise 🫶🏾
Spoken Black Girl Magazine: Issue 6 – Beauty is a radiant, full-color exploration of Black beauty rooted in self-love, authenticity and community. Weaving compelling mental health narratives with poetry and stunning visuals, Spoken Black Girl Issue 6 Beauty contains works that redefine beauty. Written, edited and curated by Black women and femmes, Spoken Black Girl Beauty offers a unique editorial viewpoint in which our beauty is the standard. Our Issue 6 cover features Solitude by Julie Atkinson.
Featured Issue 6 Beauty Contributors:
Adwoa Amponsah, Yewande Akinse, Julie Atkinson, Maroula Blades, Daisy Brown, Christie A. Cruise, Jada D'Antignac, Daniela Dampare, Kamaria Delaney, Elizabeth DeHaan, Crystal Foretia, Salisa L. Grant, Brandon LA Hutchinson, Yuki Jackson, Rev. Lotus La Loba, Michaela "Mikki" McKenzie, Brittney Miles, Amari Murray, Traci Neal, Adrienne Prather, Khalisa Rae, Karla M. Scipio, Kayla T., Chidera Udochukwu-Nduka, Afton Williams-Jacobs, Jasmine Williams-Jacobs, Maya Williams
Issue 6 Editors:
Editor-in-Chief: Rowana Abbensetts-Dobson, Guest Editor: Emelda De Coteau, Guest Editor: Jana Jones.
Highlights include:
✨ New contributor features alongside beloved returning writers and artists
🌿 The launch of the Spoken Black Girl Community Awards
💖 Resources on Safe Beauty Without Compromise
🎨 Full-color artwork that celebrates the brilliance of Black womanhood
Whether you’ve followed Spoken Black Girl from the beginning or are just joining our community, I hope you enjoy this issue.
All preorders will come with a special gift and be signed by Spoken Black Girl Editor-in-Chief, Rowana Abbensetts-Dobson
Publication Date: February 2, 2026
Format: Full-Color Print & Digital Edition
Publisher: Spoken Black Girl Publishing
Preorder now to reserve your copy and be part of this celebration of Black beauty and storytelling.
Full-color print copy of Spoken Black Girl Magazine: Issue 6 – Beauty
Ships in eco-friendly packaging with literary thank-you gifts inside
Publication Date: February 2, 2026
🌸 Every Purchase Supports
Your order helps Spoken Black Girl Publishing continue uplifting the voices of Black women writers and artists through storytelling, community, and healing.
