Over 300,000 Black women have lost their jobs this year—a number that resonates with many in media, tech, and creative fields. Among them are writers, journalists, producers, and content strategists whose work shapes the stories we engage with on a daily basis. Between the DEI rollbacks, corporate restructurings, and the rise of AI, it’s been a year of uncertainty.
Even in the middle of all that change, storytelling hasn’t stopped. It’s just moving somewhere new. Substack has become an alternative space for laid-off writers to continue doing what they love on their own terms. Substack gives writers ownership over their content and the ability to build direct relationships with their readers. The readers, in turn, support the writers directly, rather than the major media corporations.
So, whether you’re a Substack regular or just hearing about it for the first time, I’ve rounded up nine Black journalists and media professionals who’ve recently been laid off, and you can find them on the indie publication platform. Some are still getting their footing with posting content(starting over isn’t easy), but subscribing now is one of the best ways to support them — and you’ll be the first to know when they start posting again.
The Golden Hour By Karen Attiah
Formerly the last Black full-time opinion writer at The Washington Post, Karen Attiah was laid off after voicing her thoughts on the attempted assassination of Charlie Kirk. Her Substack, The Golden Hour, continues her fearless commentary on culture, power, and the politics of free speech.
The Unpolished Edit By Tatiana Pile
Months after she was laid off from her role as managing editor at Glossy, Tatiana Pile launched The Unpolished Edit — a newsletter where beauty, style, and culture collide. Pile describes the publication as “your smart, slightly unfiltered group chat meets a beauty editor’s brain.” She’s serving up industry tea, cultural commentary, and trend breakdowns worth knowing.
Play The B Sides By Mya Abraham
After her position as R&B reporter at Vibe ended in October, Mya Abraham launched Play The B Sides to continue her work discussing R&B, discovering new music, and more.
JV Captain’s Club Aiyana Ishmael
Aiyana Ishmael was hired as a style editor at Teen Vogue but was laid off a month later during the merger between Teen Vogue and Vogue. Her Substack, JV Captain’s Club, is an anthology reflecting confessions, nostalgia, and pop culture through her perspective.
Screaming Into The Void, But In Lowercase By Noella Williams
Culture writer and former social media coordinator at DAC, Noella Williams, started Screaming Into The Void, But In Lowercase in 2021 as an outlet for her throwaway thoughts. It’s part diary, part dispatch on internet life, with essays, interviews, recommendations, and a peek into her upcoming book.
Emotionally Savory By Cortni Spearman
After her role as the first Social Media Director at Refinery29 ended, Cortni Spearman launched Emotionally Savory. Her newsletter explores food, feelings, and finding comfort in city routines, serving as a tribute to solo dining, neighborhood gems, and the joy of good meals.
Miscommunications By Nardos Halie
Nardos Halie was laid off in March from her role as a Staff Writer at Salon, and shortly after, she started her own blog. Miscommunications is her “chic quarter-life crisis,” where she writes about pop culture, identity, and the chaos of trying to rebuild after burnout.
Multitudes By Tiffany Lashai Curtis
After being laid off from her role as SEO Content Specialist at 360training, Tiffany Lashai Curtis continues to write on Multitudes, her Substack dedicated to thoughtful reflections and interests.
Starting over isn’t just brave (and hard) — it’s a reminder that our voices don’t disappear when the headlines do. Every subscribe, share, or shoutout helps these women keep telling the stories that deserve to be heard. Because even as the media world continues to change, one thing remains constant: Black women will always find new ways to write, create, and take up space.