Spartan Profiles: Robin Stone

THE ESSENCE OF EDITING

            A rising star in the national media is Robin Stone, ’86, the new executive editor of Essence, a magazine for black women with a circulation of one million. “What this means,” says Stone of her promotion, “is that a lot more people line up outside my door.”

            Robin now supervises departments on money, health, food and arts besides the features. “I’ve got more license to meddle in other areas,” she says with a chuckle. “But I’m learning more about the business and marketing side. It’s a fascinating time to be in this business.”

            A native of Detroit, Robin chose MSU over the University of Michigan because, in her words, “I fell in love with the campus—the beautiful landscaping, the stately buildings, and the students I met, who were much more friendly. MSU just felt like a place I could call home. And I really lucked out, because then I found out MSU had the only accredited journalism program in the state.”

            She worked two terms in the State News, the student-run daily, and also at MSU’s News Bureau, helping write hometown press releases. “I had many great mentors at MSU, and I’m very thankful,” she says, citing, among others, former Journalism chairperson Stan Soffin.

            After MSU, she worked for The New York Times, Family Circle, The Boston Globe, The Detroit Free Press, and The Oakland Press. Very active in volunteer efforts, Robin chairs the Student Education, Enrichment and Development committee of the National Association of Black Journalists. Today, she calls Manhattan home. “This is a vibrant, exciting place,” she says. “I’ve developed a very New York-centric view of the world, like the New Yorker cartoon.”

            Of course, just beyond the Hudson River, there’s beautiful East Lansing.