Toledo native Taylor Shine is bringing women’s empowerment to the forefront of the city’s art scene with an expressive new magazine focused on women of color.
“There’s so many stories and things that have happened where Black women have been silenced when I feel like we have uplifted and done so much,” Shine said.
What is eMPWR Magazine?
eMPWR Magazine’s mission is to combine women’s history and modern aesthetics to bring
attention to these voices in a creative way. While Shine had experience being a model in front of the camera, the magazine is her first foray into graphic design as a self-taught artist.
“I wanted somewhere I could showcase my creative direction skills,” Shine said. “Because I know that I’m able to direct. I know I can cast. I know I can design. I know I can do a lot of creative roles.”
The magazine will launch its first physical copy this month, but Shine has been posting on social media in preparation since December 2023. Her passion for women’s empowerment started even earlier, she said.
Taylor Shine’s Early Inspiration for Women’s Empowerment
Shine was introduced the ideals of feminism at a young age. It was her mother who first took her to pro-choice rallies and other women’s rights events, she said.
“That was such a huge point in our childhood, and for me and my sisters,” Shine added. “Just to know that it’s so amazing to be a woman, and you should always stand up for being a woman.”
These lessons from her childhood stuck with her, Shine said.
How a College Course Inspired eMPWR Magazine
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Toledo at the age of 19, she enrolled in graduate school. Although she later decided it was not the path for her, Shine credits a Women’s and Gender Studies course with Professor Rachel Dudley, Ph.D. as motivation to create eMPWR Magazine.
“She would tell us a lot of stories about Black women that I did not know, stories that I feel like everyone should know,” Shine said. “And it got to the point where I was like, ‘This is life changing. I feel like this shouldn’t just be talked about inside this classroom.’”
These stories inspired the magazine’s first photoshoot.
“We called it ‘Silent Megaphones,’ because the girls are yelling in these megaphones, but no one’s there to listen to them. No one’s there to recognize or acknowledge them,” Shine said.
“And that’s basically the whole concept of what I was learning and what really pushed me to do the magazine.”
What to Expect in the First Issue of eMPWR Magazine
The first copy of eMPWR Magazine will include 13 photoshoot campaigns of different themes.
But Shine’s aspirations do not stop there. The magazine is already a 2025 AAF Toledo Mosaic Award Winner, and Shine said she hopes to expand its reach in the future.
“We hope to have a blog soon. The intention with all the campaigns is that they would have a written blog with it,” she said. “Our website is under construction.”
Shine also hopes to make physical copies available for purchase through the website in the
future.
A Community-Driven Project
Although Shine is the creator of eMPWR, the experience of collaborating on the magazine
makes it bigger than just herself, she said.
“I’ve met so many great women along the way, and because of that, I’ve been able to network and really allow every woman to pour their creativity into this magazine,” Shine said. “It’s not just mine. I feel like this belongs to all the women who’ve put their touch on this. It’s theirs too.”
The launch party for eMPWR will take place March 29 at The Portal Gallery at Toledo School for the Arts. It will include a photo gallery walkthrough, screening of behind-the-scenes footage, silent auction and more.
Doors open at 5 PM. Tickets must be purchased in advanced.
