Meet Christina Coleman

“From journalism studies at Howard University, to covering Earth and Science for NASA, to a ballsy move to NYC, Christina Coleman has carved out a space for her work in the news industry. Now a News & Culture Director at Glamour Magazine, when we first caught up with her for this feature, she was working as the Managing Editor for NewsOne.com. Before that, she was one of the founding editors for Solange Knowles’ SaintHeron.com, a wannabe chef, journalist/activist, and a fierce advocate for black women.”

♫ LISTEN TO CHRISTINA'S PLAYLIST 

Top, Urban Outfitters ; Jeans, Levi's ; Shoes, Nike

on her morning routine

I’m usually up by 7 a.m. to do two things – walk my dog and assign stories to my writers. As a managing editor of a news site I need to know what’s going on at all times so I’m searching the wires. Between 7-9 I’m glued to my computer writing and editing so I don’t grab breakfast (always oatmeal and pineapple) until about 10 or 11 when I head into the office.

on becoming a writer

This sounds silly, but making up short stories and poems with my brother are my earliest memories of writing. And I was always good at it; my teachers in grade school encouraged it because they could see I had ‘something.’ And so I decided to dedicate my life to that ‘something.’ I went to school for it and have been fiercely defensive over my decision to be a writer/journalist even if that means sleeping in a cardboard box the rest of my life. Sorry, Mom.

“‘Between the World and Me’ is a brand new favorite and I recommend it for any household that wants a clear understanding of the scourge of living while Black in America. It’s a heavy read, but no one promised that healing this nation and its people would be easy.”

— on her favorite book

Top, Vintage ; Earrings, H&M ; Skirt, H&M

on creating a vision

I’m really lucky to have stumbled into what became Saint Heron. While the site has undergone a restructure, the first iteration allowed me to be a part of a collective of young, Black women who were passionate about art, politics, culture, music, inclusivity, freedom…women who I’ve remained friends with and continue to watch grow in their own fields. I’m thankful that Solange’s vision has blossomed into what it is today because it creates a space for individuals like myself who are interested in a range of hobbies and music and topics separate from the ills of mainstream.

on the best part of her job

Sometimes I think about my time at NASA and it’s so surreal I have to remember that, yes, I really did that. Working closely with scientists and engineers, attending launches, witnessing the last of the manned space missions and translating all that science jargon into stuff millennials cared to read didn’t seem big then.

“Aside from my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer (the best Christmas gift to date), my hands are my best cooking ‘appliance.’ Nothing gets the job done quite like they do. My mother isn’t the best cook so I’m not sure where my sister and I got the talent from. But looking up to her (she’s the coolest person I know), I’ve secretly challenged myself to out-cook her. I’m losing, she’s awesome. But I have to say, my eggplant meatballs are to die for.”

— on her favorite appliance

Top, Zara ; Pants, Urban Outfitters

on her beauty routine

Mandatory routine, no matter how tipsy I am: Wash with Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser. Follow up with Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion. Depending on the night, I may use Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream or the Oil Free Moisturizer. I also recommend Mario Badescu Glycolic Eye Cream, Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Lotion, and Vaseline Cocoa Butter Petroleum Jelly. 

For my hair I’m curbing breakage with Pure Shea Butter on my curls. I use what I have in the kitchen otherwise – coconut oil and olive oil are lifesavers for both hair and skin. I recently started to use coconut oil to shave my legs. You’ll thank me later.

on her makeup routine

I recommend Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Bare Minerals Original Foundation, MAC Powder Blush, Audacious Lipstick - Rita, Topshop Lipstick, Revlon PhotoReady Kajal Eye Pencil, Benefit they're real! lengthening mascara, MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red. 

“I’m increasingly frustrated with shopping in stores but if I need an item fast for a meeting, interview or if I’m going to be on camera I run to Awoke Vintage (if I’m in Brooklyn) and the nearest Zara (if I’m in Manhattan). But I tend to do most of my shopping online – my clothes need to translate from office to camera to covering an event so I’m often wearing feminine dresses with sneakers or boxy men’s attire with strappy heels. Best of both worlds.”

— on her shopping habits

top, urban outfitters ; jeans, levi's ; bag, marc jacobs ; shoes, nike

christina's favorite books

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Sula by Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter Godwin Woodson, PhD, The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

christina's favorite places in nyc

Aurora for Brunch

Alice's Arbor for Dinner

Sisters for coffee and amazing cocktails

Whisk for kitchen supplies

Awoke Vintage for clothes & jewelry