The time is now for spaces that advocate, cultivate, and share our health and wellness stories of black women globally. And my guest for this episode has enriched this space with powerful dialogue and stories that leave a lasting impression and inspire women to champion and prioritize their own health and wellbeing. In this episode of The Sub-Saharan Beauty podcast, I’m joined by Nnenna Kalu Makanjuola, the founder and editor-in-chief of Radiant Health Magazine, a bi-annual print and digital magazine for black women. Their mission is to tell our own health stories and inspire Black women to live their healthiest, happiest, and most meaningful life. Nnenna’s passion and commitment to health and wellness advocacy began at an early age following her first-hand witness of her father’s journey with heart disease resulting in the need for a heart transplant. This experience would later inform her career journey as a pharmacist and public health professional.  In our conversation, we talk about the pivotal moment when she decides to launch the Radiant Health Magazine (RHM) without any prior publication experience and her entrepreneurial journey/evolution with RHM. From its inception to today, RHM has shifted from a more niche Nigerian audience to a global audience inspiring and championing Black women everywhere. While previous additions Nnenna uncovers some of the intentional decisions she has made with the publication, including the choice to use everyday women as the cover story vs the traditional celebrity covers. She shares why this was her way of keeping the authentic voice of the publication and also a means to ensure that black women are represented authentically.  Episode Timeline: • [3:29] Nnenna describes her personal and professional background with health and how they influenced the birth of RHM. • [12:28] The entrepreneurial journey to starting Radiant Health Magazine and the learning curve for launching a digital and print publication. • [15:39] How the magazine shifted from a more niche Nigerian audience to a global audience inspiring and championing Black women everywhere • [21:29] The importance of representation and advocacy of black women in the health and wellness space • [26:00] The stories behind Nnenna’s favorite issues including her father’s prolonged heart condition story. • [30:40] Affirming positive health and wellness practices as black women. • [34:11] Why she’s focusing on fulfilling what the radiant needs to live a life of health and wellness. • [46:59] The present and future of Radiant Magazine ***THE EPISODE WAS RECORDED EARLY THIS YEAR, PRIOR TO THE RELEASE OF THE LATEST PUBLICATION: THE SELF-CARE ISSUE. Check out this latest issues and all of the previous issues at: www.radianthealthmag.com. You can also follow RHM on instagram for more engaging, inspiring and empowering content at @radianthealthmag Check out the Subsaharan Beauty on IG: @thesubsaharanbeauty. If you'd like to connect, email Ijeoma at [email protected] with the subject line, "TSBC Connect".