Welcome to ZORA

Medium’s new publication centered on the experiences of women of color

Dear Readers,

Welcome to ZORA, a publication that centers on and celebrates the hopes, dreams, aspirations, and experiences of women of color. ZORA has one driving mission: to ensure that the lived experiences of women of color are seen, and that our voices are heard. Nowhere currently does there exist a hub for smart, contemplative reading of this nature. That’s why the mistake that is often made is that we are monolithic in our thinking. This could not be further from the truth. There is room for textured, nuanced, thought-provoking content in this space.

Women of color are often marginalized because of our status as minorities; add to this the intersectional issues of age, gender, race, sexuality, and disability, and there are even more barriers to economic, social, and political empowerment. Clichés and misrepresentation in the media play a role in this: diversity is underrepresented, and of those portrayals that do get visibility, most are stereotypical and racially biased.

In ZORA, women of color will write and read pieces that encourage us to speak our truths and remain resilient in spite of the challenges we face. Our launch package includes an article by actress-activist Yara Shahidi on what she’s learned by…