where if you have the power to change the way people viewed a certain group of
the way people viewed a certain group of
the way people viewed a certain group of people well through my magazine of any
people well through my magazine of any
people well through my magazine of any magazine I have been able to change the
magazine I have been able to change the
magazine I have been able to change the way people view teenagers before people
way people view teenagers before people
way people view teenagers before people view teenagers is uneducated and only
view teenagers is uneducated and only
view teenagers is uneducated and only concerned with celebrity gossip and
concerned with celebrity gossip and
concerned with celebrity gossip and concerned with really babbitt’s teenage
concerned with really babbitt’s teenage
concerned with really babbitt’s teenage issues through a friendly magazine we
issues through a friendly magazine we
issues through a friendly magazine we showcase a lot of social justice and
showcase a lot of social justice and
showcase a lot of social justice and politics topics that many people don’t
politics topics that many people don’t
politics topics that many people don’t think teenagers are interested in midway
think teenagers are interested in midway
think teenagers are interested in midway through my ninth grade year I decided to
through my ninth grade year I decided to
through my ninth grade year I decided to continue my education in Kenya Africa in
continue my education in Kenya Africa in
continue my education in Kenya Africa in those six months I spent in Kenya I read
those six months I spent in Kenya I read
those six months I spent in Kenya I read through all my teen magazines that I had
through all my teen magazines that I had
through all my teen magazines that I had since I was young so I read every
since I was young so I read every
since I was young so I read every magazine front-to-back and as I was
magazine front-to-back and as I was
magazine front-to-back and as I was reading these articles I realized I
reading these articles I realized I
reading these articles I realized I could not relate because they only
could not relate because they only
could not relate because they only showed one type of teenager when there’s
showed one type of teenager when there’s
showed one type of teenager when there’s a wide scope they only showed the
a wide scope they only showed the
a wide scope they only showed the teenagers that go out all the time and
teenagers that go out all the time and
teenagers that go out all the time and hang out with their friends the
hang out with their friends the
hang out with their friends the teenagers that are popular but never
teenagers that are popular but never
teenagers that are popular but never really showed the teenagers who are
really showed the teenagers who are
really showed the teenagers who are introverts the teenagers who really
introverts the teenagers who really
introverts the teenagers who really don’t like going out and the shy
don’t like going out and the shy
don’t like going out and the shy teenagers and the teenagers interested
teenagers and the teenagers interested
teenagers and the teenagers interested in LGBTQ issues and race issues they
in LGBTQ issues and race issues they
in LGBTQ issues and race issues they only showed one type so for a year I
only showed one type so for a year I
only showed one type so for a year I thought about the fact that these teen
thought about the fact that these teen
thought about the fact that these teen magazines were not authentic and they
magazines were not authentic and they
magazines were not authentic and they weren’t even written by teenagers and
weren’t even written by teenagers and
weren’t even written by teenagers and for a long time I did nothing about it I
for a long time I did nothing about it I
for a long time I did nothing about it I just read it and I and I just said oh
just read it and I and I just said oh
just read it and I and I just said oh interesting so for a year I decided when
interesting so for a year I decided when
interesting so for a year I decided when I was 16 that I wanted to make a change
I was 16 that I wanted to make a change
I was 16 that I wanted to make a change about this now making a magazine is not
about this now making a magazine is not
about this now making a magazine is not easy it’s not something that you can
easy it’s not something that you can
easy it’s not something that you can just wake up and just say okay I’m gonna
just wake up and just say okay I’m gonna
just wake up and just say okay I’m gonna make a magazine so I did my research and
make a magazine so I did my research and
make a magazine so I did my research and I figured out what what programs to use
I figured out what what programs to use
I figured out what what programs to use to design the magazine and and I figured
to design the magazine and and I figured
to design the magazine and and I figured out how to design a website because I
out how to design a website because I
out how to design a website because I learned how to use Photoshop when I was
learned how to use Photoshop when I was
learned how to use Photoshop when I was 13 so now the biggest the biggest
13 so now the biggest the biggest
13 so now the biggest the biggest dilemma was at
dilemma was at
dilemma was at getting stories now I like to talk a lot
getting stories now I like to talk a lot
getting stories now I like to talk a lot and my friends would like to talk a lot
and my friends would like to talk a lot
and my friends would like to talk a lot so through conversations with my friends
so through conversations with my friends
so through conversations with my friends I figured out many stories that I would
I figured out many stories that I would
I figured out many stories that I would showcase in the first magazine my friend
showcase in the first magazine my friend
showcase in the first magazine my friend my first issue my friend talked about
my first issue my friend talked about
my first issue my friend talked about being adopted during the baby girl
being adopted during the baby girl
being adopted during the baby girl genocide in China my other friend talked
genocide in China my other friend talked
genocide in China my other friend talked about coming out as gay as a person of
about coming out as gay as a person of
about coming out as gay as a person of color and those were the stories that we
color and those were the stories that we
color and those were the stories that we highlighted in the in the first two
highlighted in the in the first two
highlighted in the in the first two magazines so in summer of 2013 I called
magazines so in summer of 2013 I called
magazines so in summer of 2013 I called my friend I said do you want to be a
my friend I said do you want to be a
my friend I said do you want to be a cover of a magazine
cover of a magazine
cover of a magazine she’s not sure so she was the first
she’s not sure so she was the first
she’s not sure so she was the first cover of my magazine and in that
cover of my magazine and in that
cover of my magazine and in that magazine that had a wider scope of of
magazine that had a wider scope of of
magazine that had a wider scope of of teenage life and I thought it was a
teenage life and I thought it was a
teenage life and I thought it was a great great magazine that was really
great great magazine that was really
great great magazine that was really authentic and I was proud of the product
authentic and I was proud of the product
authentic and I was proud of the product that I had now for for the next two
that I had now for for the next two
that I had now for for the next two years of my high school career because I
years of my high school career because I
years of my high school career because I started affinity my sophomore year for
started affinity my sophomore year for
started affinity my sophomore year for the next two years every single month I
the next two years every single month I
the next two years every single month I released a print issue that I designed
released a print issue that I designed
released a print issue that I designed all by myself and the occasion wrote our
all by myself and the occasion wrote our
all by myself and the occasion wrote our occasion wrote maybe 95 percent of
occasion wrote maybe 95 percent of
occasion wrote maybe 95 percent of stories and I did this while balancing
stories and I did this while balancing
stories and I did this while balancing out my schoolwork and I even did this
out my schoolwork and I even did this
out my schoolwork and I even did this while in my senior year as I was
while in my senior year as I was
while in my senior year as I was applying for colleges every single month
applying for colleges every single month
applying for colleges every single month consistently and the problem was the
consistently and the problem was the
consistently and the problem was the product was great but nobody was reading
product was great but nobody was reading
product was great but nobody was reading it people my school knew I had a
it people my school knew I had a
it people my school knew I had a magazine they knew me as the girl with
magazine they knew me as the girl with
magazine they knew me as the girl with the magazine which is great because you
the magazine which is great because you
the magazine which is great because you can be known for a lot of different
can be known for a lot of different
can be known for a lot of different things in high school
things in high school
things in high school so I was really happy that people
so I was really happy that people
so I was really happy that people noticed that I had a magazine and people
noticed that I had a magazine and people
noticed that I had a magazine and people really supported it because the first
really supported it because the first
really supported it because the first began in my high school started with my
began in my high school started with my
began in my high school started with my friends and me talking to my friends and
friends and me talking to my friends and
friends and me talking to my friends and showcasing my friends but the magazine
showcasing my friends but the magazine
showcasing my friends but the magazine was only getting 200 views a month so
was only getting 200 views a month so
was only getting 200 views a month so nobody was really reading it so at the
nobody was really reading it so at the
nobody was really reading it so at the end of my senior year I had to make a
end of my senior year I had to make a
end of my senior year I had to make a choice would I continue this magazine or
choice would I continue this magazine or
choice would I continue this magazine or would I stop I was I was this close to
would I stop I was I was this close to
would I stop I was I was this close to just finishing the language zine because
just finishing the language zine because
just finishing the language zine because I wasn’t getting the reception that I
I wasn’t getting the reception that I
I wasn’t getting the reception that I wanted i won
wanted i won
wanted i won to make a difference and make a change
to make a difference and make a change
to make a difference and make a change but how could I make a change if nobody
but how could I make a change if nobody
but how could I make a change if nobody was reading so I really pondered on it
was reading so I really pondered on it
was reading so I really pondered on it for a long time and at this point I was
for a long time and at this point I was
for a long time and at this point I was I’ve always been big with social media
I’ve always been big with social media
I’ve always been big with social media I love tweeting tweeting is my life so I
I love tweeting tweeting is my life so I
I love tweeting tweeting is my life so I I had I had like a decent following on
I had I had like a decent following on
I had I had like a decent following on Twitter because people thought my teeth
Twitter because people thought my teeth
Twitter because people thought my teeth were funny so I decided at that time the
were funny so I decided at that time the
were funny so I decided at that time the other thing each other only had about
other thing each other only had about
other thing each other only had about 4,000 followers and it didn’t get many
4,000 followers and it didn’t get many
4,000 followers and it didn’t get many retweets at all so I decided to I decide
retweets at all so I decided to I decide
retweets at all so I decided to I decide that I wanted to reinvent infinity and
that I wanted to reinvent infinity and
that I wanted to reinvent infinity and really change it around and and work
really change it around and and work
really change it around and and work harder because I was only if you do
harder because I was only if you do
harder because I was only if you do something you have to do it a hundred
something you have to do it a hundred
something you have to do it a hundred percent and I was only doing 50% so I
percent and I was only doing 50% so I
percent and I was only doing 50% so I decided to make it a priority so I sent
decided to make it a priority so I sent
decided to make it a priority so I sent out a tweet and say who wants to
out a tweet and say who wants to
out a tweet and say who wants to contribute to my magazine and a lot of
contribute to my magazine and a lot of
contribute to my magazine and a lot of people replied back and I was shocked it
people replied back and I was shocked it
people replied back and I was shocked it was a lot of teenagers of course because
was a lot of teenagers of course because
was a lot of teenagers of course because at a publication but the fact that they
at a publication but the fact that they
at a publication but the fact that they want to get involved really shocked me
want to get involved really shocked me
want to get involved really shocked me so in that month when I reinvented
so in that month when I reinvented
so in that month when I reinvented infinity and I opened it I now opened it
infinity and I opened it I now opened it
infinity and I opened it I now opened it up to more teen voices where it’s an
up to more teen voices where it’s an
up to more teen voices where it’s an open forum where teens anything to
open forum where teens anything to
open forum where teens anything to submit I got thirty thousand views in
submit I got thirty thousand views in
submit I got thirty thousand views in the first month because I was I
the first month because I was I
the first month because I was I it went from a monthly magazine to an
it went from a monthly magazine to an
it went from a monthly magazine to an hour daily where I would publish
hour daily where I would publish
hour daily where I would publish articles every single day now it went up
articles every single day now it went up
articles every single day now it went up the views went up to 30,000 we got the
the views went up to 30,000 we got the
the views went up to 30,000 we got the followers went up to 10,000 and we were
followers went up to 10,000 and we were
followers went up to 10,000 and we were just getting so much support online
just getting so much support online
just getting so much support online people are like I’m so glad this
people are like I’m so glad this
people are like I’m so glad this magazine has been made this is what I’ve
magazine has been made this is what I’ve
magazine has been made this is what I’ve been waiting for and it was really nice
been waiting for and it was really nice
been waiting for and it was really nice to know that people were finally paying
to know that people were finally paying
to know that people were finally paying attention now if I would have stopped
attention now if I would have stopped
attention now if I would have stopped affinity in 2015 I I don’t know what
affinity in 2015 I I don’t know what
affinity in 2015 I I don’t know what would have happened but it’s impacted so
would have happened but it’s impacted so
would have happened but it’s impacted so many people now if any went from getting
many people now if any went from getting
many people now if any went from getting 200 views and only having 10,000
200 views and only having 10,000
200 views and only having 10,000 followers so now we’re verified on
followers so now we’re verified on
followers so now we’re verified on Twitter we just hit 50,000 followers
Twitter we just hit 50,000 followers
Twitter we just hit 50,000 followers yesterday and now it’s reading over 220
yesterday and now it’s reading over 220
yesterday and now it’s reading over 220 countries and we get half a million
countries and we get half a million
countries and we get half a million views
views
views month and it’s more than just the views
month and it’s more than just the views
month and it’s more than just the views of this more than just the fact that
of this more than just the fact that
of this more than just the fact that people are eating it’s the writers –
people are eating it’s the writers –
people are eating it’s the writers – because the writers are a big part of
because the writers are a big part of
because the writers are a big part of the magazine without them there would be
the magazine without them there would be
the magazine without them there would be no magazine because they contribute
no magazine because they contribute
no magazine because they contribute I knew my magazine was really making an
I knew my magazine was really making an
I knew my magazine was really making an impact when I got an email from a writer
impact when I got an email from a writer
impact when I got an email from a writer who was recently accepted because it’s
who was recently accepted because it’s
who was recently accepted because it’s an application process you had to go
an application process you had to go
an application process you had to go through and I select everyone one by one
through and I select everyone one by one
through and I select everyone one by one right now I have I have to go through
right now I have I have to go through
right now I have I have to go through 500 applications for writers but so I
500 applications for writers but so I
500 applications for writers but so I got an email from one of my writers and
got an email from one of my writers and
got an email from one of my writers and she said that she was really thankful
she said that she was really thankful
she said that she was really thankful for the opportunity to write for
for the opportunity to write for
for the opportunity to write for affinity and she told me that before
affinity and she told me that before
affinity and she told me that before affinity she would she would spend time
affinity she would she would spend time
affinity she would she would spend time in her room writing about her fixation
in her room writing about her fixation
in her room writing about her fixation with suicide and she really was happy
with suicide and she really was happy
with suicide and she really was happy that I I believed in her and believed in
that I I believed in her and believed in
that I I believed in her and believed in her writing so much that I chose her to
her writing so much that I chose her to
her writing so much that I chose her to write for affinity and she said since
write for affinity and she said since
write for affinity and she said since her articles I’ve been published
her articles I’ve been published
her articles I’ve been published she has got any emails from people
she has got any emails from people
she has got any emails from people saying her articles have really meant a
saying her articles have really meant a
saying her articles have really meant a lot to her and she even I email from
lot to her and she even I email from
lot to her and she even I email from another publication who wanted to
another publication who wanted to
another publication who wanted to feature her her article so it’s more
feature her her article so it’s more
feature her her article so it’s more than just it’s at this point if anything
than just it’s at this point if anything
than just it’s at this point if anything is bigger than me it’s it’s something
is bigger than me it’s it’s something
is bigger than me it’s it’s something that’s for everyone it’s not just me
that’s for everyone it’s not just me
that’s for everyone it’s not just me because it has impacted my writers more
because it has impacted my writers more
because it has impacted my writers more than anything I write recommendations
than anything I write recommendations
than anything I write recommendations for my writers one of my writers who she
for my writers one of my writers who she
for my writers one of my writers who she approached me about writing a
approached me about writing a
approached me about writing a recommendation for her and she ended up
recommendation for her and she ended up
recommendation for her and she ended up getting into her school she got into
getting into her school she got into
getting into her school she got into Tulane and she got to the University of
Tulane and she got to the University of
Tulane and she got to the University of Wisconsin she was really thankful that I
Wisconsin she was really thankful that I
Wisconsin she was really thankful that I wrote a recommendation for her and some
wrote a recommendation for her and some
wrote a recommendation for her and some of my writers they they apply for
of my writers they they apply for
of my writers they they apply for internships and the fact that they have
internships and the fact that they have
internships and the fact that they have that early early that early experience
that early early that early experience
that early early that early experience with affinity it really helps them a lot
with affinity it really helps them a lot
with affinity it really helps them a lot of them get summer internships so
of them get summer internships so
of them get summer internships so affinity really does help teens because
affinity really does help teens because
affinity really does help teens because it gives them the experience early to
it gives them the experience early to
it gives them the experience early to have published work and I work with them
have published work and I work with them
have published work and I work with them I have a lot of writers but I it’s a
I have a lot of writers but I it’s a
I have a lot of writers but I it’s a close-knit community where I do work
close-knit community where I do work
close-knit community where I do work with them one on one
with them one on one
with them one on one and I really and I give them feedback on
and I really and I give them feedback on
and I really and I give them feedback on their articles and if they need anything
their articles and if they need anything
their articles and if they need anything they can they can just send me an email
they can they can just send me an email
they can they can just send me an email but it has shaped them up to be
but it has shaped them up to be
but it has shaped them up to be professionals so it’s really wonderful
professionals so it’s really wonderful
professionals so it’s really wonderful that they’re getting the getting the
that they’re getting the getting the
that they’re getting the getting the experience early because the age range
experience early because the age range
experience early because the age range of my writings is from 13 all the way up
of my writings is from 13 all the way up
of my writings is from 13 all the way up to 19 to 20 so it’s really been a very
to 19 to 20 so it’s really been a very
to 19 to 20 so it’s really been a very great learning experience for them and
great learning experience for them and
great learning experience for them and and it’s just it’s just a great platform
and it’s just it’s just a great platform
and it’s just it’s just a great platform that was missing a lot of a lot of
that was missing a lot of a lot of
that was missing a lot of a lot of publications only cater to older adults
publications only cater to older adults
publications only cater to older adults and adults only adults are a lot to
and adults only adults are a lot to
and adults only adults are a lot to submit but with my platform it allows
submit but with my platform it allows
submit but with my platform it allows the teenagers to be able to submit and
the teenagers to be able to submit and
the teenagers to be able to submit and really make an impact with their
really make an impact with their
really make an impact with their articles I get emails and I get tweets
articles I get emails and I get tweets
articles I get emails and I get tweets and I get messages of people saying wow
and I get messages of people saying wow
and I get messages of people saying wow thank you for this are you kind never
thank you for this are you kind never
thank you for this are you kind never knew there’s somebody else out there who
knew there’s somebody else out there who
knew there’s somebody else out there who who felt the same way that I did now
who felt the same way that I did now
who felt the same way that I did now it’s not it’s not always easy it’s never
it’s not it’s not always easy it’s never
it’s not it’s not always easy it’s never really been easy with affinity I do
really been easy with affinity I do
really been easy with affinity I do affinity full-time while I’m a I’m also
affinity full-time while I’m a I’m also
affinity full-time while I’m a I’m also full-time college student it’s not a
full-time college student it’s not a
full-time college student it’s not a easy thing the one thing I’ve learned
easy thing the one thing I’ve learned
easy thing the one thing I’ve learned with starting a movement or starting any
with starting a movement or starting any
with starting a movement or starting any movement through social media you’ll
movement through social media you’ll
movement through social media you’ll always get a lot of heat and people will
always get a lot of heat and people will
always get a lot of heat and people will not like the fact that you’re standing
not like the fact that you’re standing
not like the fact that you’re standing up and making a difference because some
up and making a difference because some
up and making a difference because some people don’t like the truth some people
people don’t like the truth some people
people don’t like the truth some people are gonna be with you and some people
are gonna be with you and some people
are gonna be with you and some people are gonna be against you I one of the
are gonna be against you I one of the
are gonna be against you I one of the things to start a movement to social
things to start a movement to social
things to start a movement to social media is you have to be honest no matter
media is you have to be honest no matter
media is you have to be honest no matter what you have to stand by what you say
what you have to stand by what you say
what you have to stand by what you say and no matter how many people don’t like
and no matter how many people don’t like
and no matter how many people don’t like it you have to stand by what you say I
it you have to stand by what you say I
it you have to stand by what you say I had a writer she was an article about
had a writer she was an article about
had a writer she was an article about weddings on plantations and she
weddings on plantations and she
weddings on plantations and she basically her article was about how can
basically her article was about how can
basically her article was about how can people celebrate have celebrations on
people celebrate have celebrations on
people celebrate have celebrations on the backs of slaves and that article we
the backs of slaves and that article we
the backs of slaves and that article we got we got three lawsuits threats in a
got we got three lawsuits threats in a
got we got three lawsuits threats in a week and is it just kept coming every
week and is it just kept coming every
week and is it just kept coming every day somebody wanted to sue over the
day somebody wanted to sue over the
day somebody wanted to sue over the article because in the article I
article because in the article I
article because in the article I mentioned a lot of businesses that do
mentioned a lot of businesses that do
mentioned a lot of businesses that do have plantation weddings
have plantation weddings
have plantation weddings and they did not like that their name
and they did not like that their name
and they did not like that their name was in the article because they made and
was in the article because they made and
was in the article because they made and made them appear negative but you do
made them appear negative but you do
made them appear negative but you do understand that having weddings on a
understand that having weddings on a
understand that having weddings on a plantation where a lot of slaves died is
plantation where a lot of slaves died is
plantation where a lot of slaves died is it’s not a positive thing so my my right
it’s not a positive thing so my my right
it’s not a positive thing so my my right ear there really she said let’s just
ear there really she said let’s just
ear there really she said let’s just take it down I just I don’t want I don’t
take it down I just I don’t want I don’t
take it down I just I don’t want I don’t want us to get more children I told her
want us to get more children I told her
want us to get more children I told her people are gonna be against you or with
people are gonna be against you or with
people are gonna be against you or with you they’re scared that you tell the
you they’re scared that you tell the
you they’re scared that you tell the truth and you’re not lying you’re honest
truth and you’re not lying you’re honest
truth and you’re not lying you’re honest that article is true you should not
that article is true you should not
that article is true you should not allow them to scare you because people
allow them to scare you because people
allow them to scare you because people feel threatened when somebody threatens
feel threatened when somebody threatens
feel threatened when somebody threatens institution that’s been around for a
institution that’s been around for a
institution that’s been around for a long time people have been having
long time people have been having
long time people have been having weddings on plantations for a long time
weddings on plantations for a long time
weddings on plantations for a long time and it’s wrong but nobody stood up and
and it’s wrong but nobody stood up and
and it’s wrong but nobody stood up and said this is wrong so anytime you go
said this is wrong so anytime you go
said this is wrong so anytime you go against the grain people are not going
against the grain people are not going
against the grain people are not going to like it but you have to stand by what
to like it but you have to stand by what
to like it but you have to stand by what you say so we stood by that article the
you say so we stood by that article the
you say so we stood by that article the article got over 38,000 shares the
article got over 38,000 shares the
article got over 38,000 shares the people who wanted to sue us never ended
people who wanted to sue us never ended
people who wanted to sue us never ended up suing us because they knew is wrong
up suing us because they knew is wrong
up suing us because they knew is wrong and you also have to have teamwork to
and you also have to have teamwork to
and you also have to have teamwork to start movement I didn’t do it all by
start movement I didn’t do it all by
start movement I didn’t do it all by myself
myself
myself I had my writers write these articles
I had my writers write these articles
I had my writers write these articles that help us generate views on the
that help us generate views on the
that help us generate views on the website without them there would be no
website without them there would be no
website without them there would be no infinity last week the whole website was
infinity last week the whole website was
infinity last week the whole website was deleted everything was gone over 3,000
deleted everything was gone over 3,000
deleted everything was gone over 3,000 articles all gone and you know I when
articles all gone and you know I when
articles all gone and you know I when that happened I really cried because it
that happened I really cried because it
that happened I really cried because it was the I wasn’t crying for me I was
was the I wasn’t crying for me I was
was the I wasn’t crying for me I was crying for the hard work of all the
crying for the hard work of all the
crying for the hard work of all the people who are bringing all these
people who are bringing all these
people who are bringing all these wonderful articles and I just didn’t
wonderful articles and I just didn’t
wonderful articles and I just didn’t know what to do and eventually my mom
know what to do and eventually my mom
know what to do and eventually my mom told me that you know you have to just
told me that you know you have to just
told me that you know you have to just start over you shouldn’t stop and just
start over you shouldn’t stop and just
start over you shouldn’t stop and just start over and to me I could not imagine
start over and to me I could not imagine
start over and to me I could not imagine starting over all these articles just
starting over all these articles just
starting over all these articles just gone all the people’s hard work so I had
gone all the people’s hard work so I had
gone all the people’s hard work so I had to I had to really make a plan so
to I had to really make a plan so
to I had to really make a plan so eventually I found out that the
eventually I found out that the
eventually I found out that the information was backed up so it could be
information was backed up so it could be
information was backed up so it could be retrieved but it was going to take a
retrieved but it was going to take a
retrieved but it was going to take a week for it to be all retrieved so in
week for it to be all retrieved so in
week for it to be all retrieved so in that time we get a lot of views in them
that time we get a lot of views in them
that time we get a lot of views in them and obviously the readers will see that
and obviously the readers will see that
and obviously the readers will see that the website is not there there’s nothing
the website is not there there’s nothing
the website is not there there’s nothing there
there
there so when I had to what I basically did
so when I had to what I basically did
so when I had to what I basically did was I made a mock website basically the
was I made a mock website basically the
was I made a mock website basically the website how it looked and I had to
website how it looked and I had to
website how it looked and I had to remake it again so people would notice
remake it again so people would notice
remake it again so people would notice the difference and the one dilemma was
the difference and the one dilemma was
the difference and the one dilemma was no articles I told my writers I said
no articles I told my writers I said
no articles I told my writers I said guys can you can you submit some Miyoko
guys can you can you submit some Miyoko
guys can you can you submit some Miyoko space the data everything is gone and it
space the data everything is gone and it
space the data everything is gone and it won’t be back for a couple days can you
won’t be back for a couple days can you
won’t be back for a couple days can you can you submit articles and they all
can you submit articles and they all
can you submit articles and they all submit articles and and the people the
submit articles and and the people the
submit articles and and the people the readers did not notice that the website
readers did not notice that the website
readers did not notice that the website was everything was gone although we only
was everything was gone although we only
was everything was gone although we only had five articles up and this was Grammy
had five articles up and this was Grammy
had five articles up and this was Grammy night so we had to write a lot of
night so we had to write a lot of
night so we had to write a lot of articles about the Grammys and people
articles about the Grammys and people
articles about the Grammys and people did not notice that there were only five
did not notice that there were only five
did not notice that there were only five articles up on the website because
articles up on the website because
articles up on the website because working together with my writers were
working together with my writers were
working together with my writers were able to bring back the website although
able to bring back the website although
able to bring back the website although it was not the real website it was a
it was not the real website it was a
it was not the real website it was a makeshift and eventually all the
makeshift and eventually all the
makeshift and eventually all the information came back and all the
information came back and all the
information came back and all the articles came back so although I’ve done
articles came back so although I’ve done
articles came back so although I’ve done this all for the most part on my own
this all for the most part on my own
this all for the most part on my own I’ve had help from all the readers from
I’ve had help from all the readers from
I’ve had help from all the readers from all the writers because with no readers
all the writers because with no readers
all the writers because with no readers there’ll be no website and the third
there’ll be no website and the third
there’ll be no website and the third thing to start moving you also have to
thing to start moving you also have to
thing to start moving you also have to be strong I get so much heat I get so
be strong I get so much heat I get so
be strong I get so much heat I get so many people saying they don’t like
many people saying they don’t like
many people saying they don’t like affinity a lot of people saying tea
affinity a lot of people saying tea
affinity a lot of people saying tea should not have a voice you should not
should not have a voice you should not
should not have a voice you should not be giving teens a platform what they say
be giving teens a platform what they say
be giving teens a platform what they say is stupid and it just hurts me because I
is stupid and it just hurts me because I
is stupid and it just hurts me because I believe in the things that my writers
believe in the things that my writers
believe in the things that my writers write and I believe that everybody has
write and I believe that everybody has
write and I believe that everybody has should be able to have an opinion
should be able to have an opinion
should be able to have an opinion regardless of people like it or not so
regardless of people like it or not so
regardless of people like it or not so this past week we wrote our article we
this past week we wrote our article we
this past week we wrote our article we were the first one to write the article
were the first one to write the article
were the first one to write the article I actually wrote the article and it was
I actually wrote the article and it was
I actually wrote the article and it was a reader who brought it to my attention
a reader who brought it to my attention
a reader who brought it to my attention it was about a spokesperson for our
it was about a spokesperson for our
it was about a spokesperson for our national brand and they tweeted
national brand and they tweeted
national brand and they tweeted something really racist
something really racist
something really racist on Twitter and they deleted it and one
on Twitter and they deleted it and one
on Twitter and they deleted it and one of the readers sent me the screenshots
of the readers sent me the screenshots
of the readers sent me the screenshots and I was like wow this is this is
and I was like wow this is this is
and I was like wow this is this is ridiculous so at that moment I had to
ridiculous so at that moment I had to
ridiculous so at that moment I had to decide did I should I report
decide did I should I report
decide did I should I report should-should we spotlight this so I
should-should we spotlight this so I
should-should we spotlight this so I made the decision to post the article
made the decision to post the article
made the decision to post the article and immediately it it blew up
and immediately it it blew up
and immediately it it blew up immediately
immediately
immediately everybody was outraged immediately an
everybody was outraged immediately an
everybody was outraged immediately an affinity was the first website to report
affinity was the first website to report
affinity was the first website to report this so immediately after I I posted
this so immediately after I I posted
this so immediately after I I posted that article about two hours late I get
that article about two hours late I get
that article about two hours late I get a call from a representative of the
a call from a representative of the
a call from a representative of the person and they told me can I please
person and they told me can I please
person and they told me can I please take down the article and that they’re
take down the article and that they’re
take down the article and that they’re young they didn’t know what they were
young they didn’t know what they were
young they didn’t know what they were saying and I said I understand up I’m
saying and I said I understand up I’m
saying and I said I understand up I’m not taking out in the article and so
not taking out in the article and so
not taking out in the article and so they apologized and they said we’ll give
they apologized and they said we’ll give
they apologized and they said we’ll give you exclusive interview I said no 9:00
you exclusive interview I said no 9:00
you exclusive interview I said no 9:00 so they apologized so then they said
so they apologized so then they said
so they apologized so then they said well you’ll be hearing from our lawyer
well you’ll be hearing from our lawyer
well you’ll be hearing from our lawyer and I said okay and because I’m not
and I said okay and because I’m not
and I said okay and because I’m not gonna not I’m not gonna back down
gonna not I’m not gonna back down
gonna not I’m not gonna back down because what they said was wrong and
because what they said was wrong and
because what they said was wrong and they should be held accountable and
they should be held accountable and
they should be held accountable and again people who before you are against
again people who before you are against
again people who before you are against you and that’s what I’ve learned I was
you and that’s what I’ve learned I was
you and that’s what I’ve learned I was scared because I’m 19 where I did not
scared because I’m 19 where I did not
scared because I’m 19 where I did not anticipate somebody wanting to sue me
anticipate somebody wanting to sue me
anticipate somebody wanting to sue me for time to chew but is this it’s really
for time to chew but is this it’s really
for time to chew but is this it’s really nerve-racking that I had I had to deal
nerve-racking that I had I had to deal
nerve-racking that I had I had to deal with that people wanting to sue me and I
with that people wanting to sue me and I
with that people wanting to sue me and I got that call right after I came from
got that call right after I came from
got that call right after I came from class and I’m just like okay I just had
class and I’m just like okay I just had
class and I’m just like okay I just had a test and now if somebody wants to sue
a test and now if somebody wants to sue
a test and now if somebody wants to sue me so it’s it was it was really
me so it’s it was it was really
me so it’s it was it was really nerve-racking although well I I was
nerve-racking although well I I was
nerve-racking although well I I was strong on the outside and I’m like oh my
strong on the outside and I’m like oh my
strong on the outside and I’m like oh my god what what’s going on so eventually
god what what’s going on so eventually
god what what’s going on so eventually we just kept the article up and they
we just kept the article up and they
we just kept the article up and they ended up getting over 78 thousand shares
ended up getting over 78 thousand shares
ended up getting over 78 thousand shares and other news outlets like New York
and other news outlets like New York
and other news outlets like New York magazine started reporting and citing
magazine started reporting and citing
magazine started reporting and citing our website because we were the first
our website because we were the first
our website because we were the first ones to break the story so although
ones to break the story so although
ones to break the story so although although in the end it might it will
although in the end it might it will
although in the end it might it will hurt them but you have to take
hurt them but you have to take
hurt them but you have to take accountability for the things that you
accountability for the things that you
accountability for the things that you say I feel bad because you know it will
say I feel bad because you know it will
say I feel bad because you know it will alter their whole life but if I didn’t
alter their whole life but if I didn’t
alter their whole life but if I didn’t report that somebody else is gonna
report that somebody else is gonna
report that somebody else is gonna report it and you should stand by your
report it and you should stand by your
report it and you should stand by your truth and even now I’m still getting a
truth and even now I’m still getting a
truth and even now I’m still getting a lot of people sending me a lot
lot of people sending me a lot
lot of people sending me a lot emails and and he saying that I ruined
emails and and he saying that I ruined
emails and and he saying that I ruined the person’s life and they have I
the person’s life and they have I
the person’s life and they have I realized that you know you have a choice
realized that you know you have a choice
realized that you know you have a choice in life they made the choice to say
in life they made the choice to say
in life they made the choice to say something like that something racist on
something like that something racist on
something like that something racist on social media for the world to see
social media for the world to see
social media for the world to see thousand I didn’t do that for them I
thousand I didn’t do that for them I
thousand I didn’t do that for them I just report the news what people do with
just report the news what people do with
just report the news what people do with the information I can’t I cannot control
the information I can’t I cannot control
the information I can’t I cannot control so after that they called the
so after that they called the
so after that they called the representative card again there was
representative card again there was
representative card again there was another representative of him and they
another representative of him and they
another representative of him and they said that it was actually an assistant
said that it was actually an assistant
said that it was actually an assistant who called and threatened to sue and
who called and threatened to sue and
who called and threatened to sue and they in the representative actually said
they in the representative actually said
they in the representative actually said they liked the platform that the
they liked the platform that the
they liked the platform that the platform of any of what I’m doing and
platform of any of what I’m doing and
platform of any of what I’m doing and they actually agreed that his comments
they actually agreed that his comments
they actually agreed that his comments were were completely ridiculous and
were were completely ridiculous and
were were completely ridiculous and racist so what they did was they said
racist so what they did was they said
racist so what they did was they said that I could do an interview with them
that I could do an interview with them
that I could do an interview with them about the comments so at the end
about the comments so at the end
about the comments so at the end standing by what you say and filling up
standing by what you say and filling up
standing by what you say and filling up and making a difference you you there
and making a difference you you there
and making a difference you you there won’t be a lot of people who will hate
won’t be a lot of people who will hate
won’t be a lot of people who will hate you know how people who want to agree
you know how people who want to agree
you know how people who want to agree with what you say but at the end of the
with what you say but at the end of the
with what you say but at the end of the day if you know that you’re doing the
day if you know that you’re doing the
day if you know that you’re doing the right thing it’s a worth it it’s worth
right thing it’s a worth it it’s worth
right thing it’s a worth it it’s worth everything in the world so after I did
everything in the world so after I did
everything in the world so after I did the interview with them and I asked them
the interview with them and I asked them
the interview with them and I asked them really really tough questions because I
really really tough questions because I
really really tough questions because I will I’m not I’m not going to I’m not
will I’m not I’m not going to I’m not
will I’m not I’m not going to I’m not going to sugarcoat what they did and the
going to sugarcoat what they did and the
going to sugarcoat what they did and the art with the interview was really tough
art with the interview was really tough
art with the interview was really tough but they answered the questions really
but they answered the questions really
but they answered the questions really really well so a lot of I’ve it’s been a
really well so a lot of I’ve it’s been a
really well so a lot of I’ve it’s been a long ride with affinity but it’s been
long ride with affinity but it’s been
long ride with affinity but it’s been worth it it’s now it’s changed a lot
worth it it’s now it’s changed a lot
worth it it’s now it’s changed a lot it’s changed the way that companies
it’s changed the way that companies
it’s changed the way that companies interact with their readers affinity is
interact with their readers affinity is
interact with their readers affinity is different I I tweet back at people so
different I I tweet back at people so
different I I tweet back at people so many tweets at me it’s this happy
many tweets at me it’s this happy
many tweets at me it’s this happy birthday
birthday
birthday it’s know somebody treats us as it’s my
it’s know somebody treats us as it’s my
it’s know somebody treats us as it’s my birthday and I every tweet I know I
birthday and I every tweet I know I
birthday and I every tweet I know I tweet back as a happy birthday people
tweet back as a happy birthday people
tweet back as a happy birthday people send me emails the message is saying hey
send me emails the message is saying hey
send me emails the message is saying hey can you write an article about this and
can you write an article about this and
can you write an article about this and I say okay we can write arc about that
I say okay we can write arc about that
I say okay we can write arc about that and act my writers to write to write
and act my writers to write to write
and act my writers to write to write about it and it’s it’s
about it and it’s it’s
about it and it’s it’s change the way that companies really
change the way that companies really
change the way that companies really interact and it’s making a big
interact and it’s making a big
interact and it’s making a big difference
difference
difference I have writers though right right for
I have writers though right right for
I have writers though right right for complex for Huffington Post for BuzzFeed
complex for Huffington Post for BuzzFeed
complex for Huffington Post for BuzzFeed and they they say they love affinity
and they they say they love affinity
and they they say they love affinity they love what we’re doing and they they
they love what we’re doing and they they
they love what we’re doing and they they love the articles they always share the
love the articles they always share the
love the articles they always share the articles and even Jane Pratt the founder
articles and even Jane Pratt the founder
articles and even Jane Pratt the founder of XO Jane said if any is the future so
of XO Jane said if any is the future so
of XO Jane said if any is the future so it’s it’s really hard standing up and
it’s it’s really hard standing up and
it’s it’s really hard standing up and making a difference because a lot of
making a difference because a lot of
making a difference because a lot of people they don’t want to make a
people they don’t want to make a
people they don’t want to make a difference a lot of people are content
difference a lot of people are content
difference a lot of people are content with just just not saying anything and
with just just not saying anything and
with just just not saying anything and there’s people who are who want to make
there’s people who are who want to make
there’s people who are who want to make a difference but they’re afraid I I did
a difference but they’re afraid I I did
a difference but they’re afraid I I did not I did not wake up when they
not I did not wake up when they
not I did not wake up when they anticipate that if any would get this
anticipate that if any would get this
anticipate that if any would get this big and that I would have such a huge
big and that I would have such a huge
big and that I would have such a huge platform to to talk about things that
platform to to talk about things that
platform to to talk about things that people don’t want to talk about I never
people don’t want to talk about I never
people don’t want to talk about I never anticipated I just knew that I myself
anticipated I just knew that I myself
anticipated I just knew that I myself wanted to make a change and I knew that
wanted to make a change and I knew that
wanted to make a change and I knew that in order to make a change I had to
in order to make a change I had to
in order to make a change I had to really really go against the grain and
really really go against the grain and
really really go against the grain and takers take a step that many people did
takers take a step that many people did
takers take a step that many people did not want to as myself my change has
not want to as myself my change has
not want to as myself my change has inspired other people to change my
inspired other people to change my
inspired other people to change my platform has inspired my writers to
platform has inspired my writers to
platform has inspired my writers to write articles that are are different
write articles that are are different
write articles that are are different and that people don’t want to talk about
and that people don’t want to talk about
and that people don’t want to talk about and those are opposed to change the
and those are opposed to change the
and those are opposed to change the perspectives of many people and inspire
perspectives of many people and inspire
perspectives of many people and inspire many people to make a difference during
many people to make a difference during
many people to make a difference during the during during one of the during
the during during one of the during
the during during one of the during Syria when they wanted people to
Syria when they wanted people to
Syria when they wanted people to evacuate and because of the Syrian war
evacuate and because of the Syrian war
evacuate and because of the Syrian war one day my writers were the article
one day my writers were the article
one day my writers were the article about how you can help them and include
about how you can help them and include
about how you can help them and include links where you can donate and the
links where you can donate and the
links where you can donate and the article alone got over 2,000 shares so
article alone got over 2,000 shares so
article alone got over 2,000 shares so this platform makes a difference I
this platform makes a difference I
this platform makes a difference I remember we had one of my writers she
remember we had one of my writers she
remember we had one of my writers she had an article by a makeup brand called
had an article by a makeup brand called
had an article by a makeup brand called colour-pop and they released a new line
colour-pop and they released a new line
colour-pop and they released a new line of concealers and the names they had for
of concealers and the names they had for
of concealers and the names they had for the concealers were very offensive to
the concealers were very offensive to
the concealers were very offensive to people of color
people of color
people of color so my writer wrote
so my writer wrote
so my writer wrote an article about it and the article blew
an article about it and the article blew
an article about it and the article blew up to the fact that many people were
up to the fact that many people were
up to the fact that many people were sharing many people are saying they were
sharing many people are saying they were
sharing many people are saying they were going to boycott a color pop and
going to boycott a color pop and
going to boycott a color pop and eventually a color pop change the name
eventually a color pop change the name
eventually a color pop change the name of their the name of their concealers
of their the name of their concealers
of their the name of their concealers because of all of the outrage so people
because of all of the outrage so people
because of all of the outrage so people think you can’t people think social
think you can’t people think social
think you can’t people think social media you just go and tweet but it’s
media you just go and tweet but it’s
media you just go and tweet but it’s more than that because I’ve been able to
more than that because I’ve been able to
more than that because I’ve been able to use social media to make so many changes
use social media to make so many changes
use social media to make so many changes awesome all from just sitting and
awesome all from just sitting and
awesome all from just sitting and tweeting something or publishing
tweeting something or publishing
tweeting something or publishing something so you don’t you don’t have to
something so you don’t you don’t have to
something so you don’t you don’t have to go out there to make a difference you
go out there to make a difference you
go out there to make a difference you can make a difference right now you can
can make a difference right now you can
can make a difference right now you can start your own movement online affinity
start your own movement online affinity
start your own movement online affinity has has changed the perspectives of many
has has changed the perspectives of many
has has changed the perspectives of many people about teen life and about what
people about teen life and about what
people about teen life and about what teens know it’s and this is our latest
teens know it’s and this is our latest
teens know it’s and this is our latest issue our winter issue and you can see
issue our winter issue and you can see
issue our winter issue and you can see Staunton the anti-trump issue because at
Staunton the anti-trump issue because at
Staunton the anti-trump issue because at the bottom it says Trump is president
the bottom it says Trump is president
the bottom it says Trump is president WTF America and all all the articles in
WTF America and all all the articles in
WTF America and all all the articles in this in this issue just had stuff about
this in this issue just had stuff about
this in this issue just had stuff about Trump and like the UK bre-x and just
Trump and like the UK bre-x and just
Trump and like the UK bre-x and just many things that happen in 2016 both the
many things that happen in 2016 both the
many things that happen in 2016 both the good and the bad
good and the bad
good and the bad so if you want to start moving you
so if you want to start moving you
so if you want to start moving you should not wait for other people you
should not wait for other people you
should not wait for other people you should do it yourself and you can start
should do it yourself and you can start
should do it yourself and you can start by just social media you can start by
by just social media you can start by
by just social media you can start by tweeting something and it will spread
tweeting something and it will spread
tweeting something and it will spread just like black lives matter spread it
just like black lives matter spread it
just like black lives matter spread it was a hashtag and now it’s a full
was a hashtag and now it’s a full
was a hashtag and now it’s a full foundation organization and people are
foundation organization and people are
foundation organization and people are creating protests and programs do black
creating protests and programs do black
creating protests and programs do black lives matter so as the person I never
lives matter so as the person I never
lives matter so as the person I never thought that I would be doing this when
thought that I would be doing this when
thought that I would be doing this when I first started if any I told my friends
I first started if any I told my friends
I first started if any I told my friends you wouldn’t be the cover and I’d like
you wouldn’t be the cover and I’d like
you wouldn’t be the cover and I’d like never thought I would get to this this
never thought I would get to this this
never thought I would get to this this far at all it’s not what I pictured I
far at all it’s not what I pictured I
far at all it’s not what I pictured I didn’t picture that I would be my second
didn’t picture that I would be my second
didn’t picture that I would be my second year of college and I mean I’m still
year of college and I mean I’m still
year of college and I mean I’m still doing affinity because two years ago I
doing affinity because two years ago I
doing affinity because two years ago I thought it was the end of affinity but
thought it was the end of affinity but
thought it was the end of affinity but I’ve been able to balance going to
I’ve been able to balance going to
I’ve been able to balance going to school and and overseeing over 400
school and and overseeing over 400
school and and overseeing over 400 people because I have I have editors and
people because I have I have editors and
people because I have I have editors and I have writers for fitnah have to
I have writers for fitnah have to
I have writers for fitnah have to oversee Diane I have to do social media
oversee Diane I have to do social media
oversee Diane I have to do social media and I have to reply back to a lot of
and I have to reply back to a lot of
and I have to reply back to a lot of emails
emails
emails able to do that do also doing my school
able to do that do also doing my school
able to do that do also doing my school work and also having a social life so
work and also having a social life so
work and also having a social life so but my advice to anybody that wants to
but my advice to anybody that wants to
but my advice to anybody that wants to start a movement you have to be honest
start a movement you have to be honest
start a movement you have to be honest what you say stand by it and don’t let
what you say stand by it and don’t let
what you say stand by it and don’t let anybody ever ever make you retract what
anybody ever ever make you retract what
anybody ever ever make you retract what you say you have to be a team player
you say you have to be a team player
you say you have to be a team player does that African proverb that says if
does that African proverb that says if
does that African proverb that says if you wanna if you want to go fast go
you wanna if you want to go fast go
you wanna if you want to go fast go alone
alone
alone but if you want to go far go together
but if you want to go far go together
but if you want to go far go together and you have to be strong when you stand
and you have to be strong when you stand
and you have to be strong when you stand up for something people you will get a
up for something people you will get a
up for something people you will get a lot of backlash and people who are going
lot of backlash and people who are going
lot of backlash and people who are going to bring you down and they’ll make you
to bring you down and they’ll make you
to bring you down and they’ll make you want to shut up but you have to just be
want to shut up but you have to just be
want to shut up but you have to just be strong because when you’re making a real
strong because when you’re making a real
strong because when you’re making a real change everybody will feel it and people
change everybody will feel it and people
change everybody will feel it and people will feel that it’s either positive or
will feel that it’s either positive or
will feel that it’s either positive or negative but you have to stand by what
negative but you have to stand by what
negative but you have to stand by what you say
”
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