NiaOnline Launches Website for African-American Women

Posted on October 10, 2000

NiaOnline has launched as an online community and resource for African-American women aged 21-54. NiaOnline takes its name from the Fifth Nguzo Saba, or social and spiritual principle of Kwanzaa. NiaOnline will allow African-American women to read essays, interact with celebrities, and access the opinions of other African-American women through chat rooms, message boards, live videos, email and electronic newsletters.

Founders Cheryl E. Mayberry and Bonita K.Coleman explain, ``Our mission is to fill the void that exists in the marketplace today to offer tangible benefits to both the African-American woman and the companies trying to reach them.'' Mayberry and Coleman have prior entrepreneurial experience. Both founded One Moment in Time, a formalwear rental business for women.

According to NiaOnline Vice President and Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Stokes Oliver, ``NiaOnline will be the cyber spirit of African-American women, who also happen to be avid readers. At NiaOnline, we hope to channel some of that same enthusiasm to the Internet to help decrease the digital divide and increase the knowledge Black women need to reach our collective purpose and potential.'' Oliver formerly served as Founding Editor-in-Chief of Heart & Soul health and fitness magazine and Editor of Essence.

Content will be developed by established journalists and writers, including NiaOnline Executive Channel Producers Linda Villarosa and Teresa L. Ridley. Currently a writer and editorial consultant based in New York City, Villarosa has been the Health and Fitness Editor of the New York Times and the Executive Editor of Essence Magazine. Ridley has more than 10 years' experience working in women's magazine editorial. Prior to her position as Editor-at-Large for Latina magazine, she was Managing Editor of Heart & Soul.