In the world of bridal magazines, brides not only wear white, they mostly are white.
The situation is improving, but there's still room for more diversity, said Mary Chatman, editor-in-chief of Black Bride magazine, based in Atlanta.
Chatman will be in town Thursday for a first-ever discussion about racial inclusiveness in the bridal event industry. The event, sponsored by two local groups, the Independent Wedding Association and This Love Weddings, seeks to bring together brides, vendors, wedding planners and others to discuss an often difficult topic.
"The demographics are moving toward women of color," Chatman said. "We want to share these brides with everyone, and they want to see themselves."
We asked her where the challenges lie and how change can happen.
Q: Why is this event happening now?
A: Faith Folayan and Becca Dilley [of the above groups] reached out to me. I wouldn't say this is a segregated business. But within the wedding industry, we weren't much feeling the love. I try not to look at stuff so much in black and white, but it's hard not to when the major players are not giving us the support we see them give each other. We don't see the likes, the shares. I think there's this fear about the word "black," and I want to get to where black is not associated with fear.
Q: It sounds like we use race as one means of sorting out choices.