A 50-Year Multimodal Analysis of <i>Black Enterprise</i> Magazine Covers, Theory, and Design Strategies

In the year Earl Graves, founder and publisher of Black Enterprise ( BE ), passed away, the magazine also celebrated its 50th anniversary. An analysis of 509 BE covers reveals changes in design, representation, and brand growth over time. Women have appeared more frequently in the past two decades, though they remain less likely than men to be on covers. The study employed visual framing and multimodal analysis to show how BE integrates cultural representation and symbolism. These covers serve as sources of empowerment in the business world, providing new insights into magazine cover design, visual communication, and The Black Press.