Photos & Words by: Bernadette Giacomazzo
Kim Osorio is back, & she’s better than ever.
Who is Kim Osorio, you ask?
A bit of history: back in 2003, Kim Osorio made history by becoming the first female editor of The Source Magazine — which was, and in many ways still is, the hip-hop bible. Prior to coming to The Source, Osorio wrote stories for Vibe, XXL, Billboard, and many more outlets. Certainly, she was qualified for the position.
Unfortunately, the former owners of The Source made her then-tenure, well, a bit miserable.
So miserable, in fact, that she filed a lawsuit against The Source magazine alleging sexual harassment, gender discrimination, defamation, retaliatory discharge, and maintaining a hostile work environment.
She ultimately walked away with $7.5 million, and a book deal (Straight from The Source)…and her pride.
Today, Londell McMillian, the CEO & Publisher of The Northstar Group (current owners of The Source), held a press conference at The Muse Hotel in Times Square with many invited guests from the media and music industry to make a very sepcial announcement. It was revealed that author and journalist Kim Osorio will be taking the position of Editor-In-Chief of The Source magazine as well as become the newly appointmented Vice President of Content & Editorial of The Source’s sister publication, Jones Magazine.
McMillian said that he was unafraid to court controversy — as he knew Kim’s return would bring — but that he knew Osorio was the right woman for the job.
Indeed, she is — Osorio endured a LOT to get to where she is today, and in so doing, she made it safe for women like me to hold editorial positions without fear.
My hat is off to you, Ms. Osorio. Welcome home.
