In an ever-evolving media landscape, few leaders understand the power of authentic storytelling quite like Ciara Horton. As the founder and publisher of She Is E Magazine and He Is E Magazine, Horton has dedicated her career to creating meaningful platforms where everyday individuals can share their experiences, celebrate their achievements, and inspire others through the power of their stories.
Driven by faith, purpose, and a commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices, Ciara has built a media brand that extends far beyond publishing. Through her magazines, coaching initiatives, and empowerment-focused resources, she has helped countless entrepreneurs, authors, executives, and professionals gain visibility while encouraging them to embrace their unique journeys with confidence. Her unwavering belief that every person has a story worth sharing has positioned her as a respected voice in the publishing industry and a champion for those seeking to make an impact.
In this Women of Influence in Media spotlight, Ciara Horton shares the inspiration behind her publishing platforms, the importance of authenticity in storytelling, her perspective on leadership and growth, and the legacy she hopes to leave through her work empowering others to boldly share their voices with the world.
As the founder of She Is E Magazine and He Is E Magazine, what inspired you to enter the publishing industry, and what gap did you hope to fill through your platforms?
Ciara: I’ve always loved reading, but I was inspired by God and the women/ men around me who were just everyday people. They had stories that needed to be heard, and I wanted to provide a space for them.
My hopes were to bring insight to those people. We see celebrities all the time, but your everyday woman/man is also a celebrity and way.
Over the years, you have featured entrepreneurs, authors, executives, public figures, and celebrities. What makes a story stand out to you, and what qualities do you look for in the individuals you spotlight?
Ciara: Authenticity stands out to me the most and vulnerability. You can tell when someone is being the edited version of themselves. It’s something different about the REAL person behind the wins. That’s what stands out to me.
Qualifications looks like someone who is willing to share their story and do it with dignity. My audience has been changing since I try not to deny anyone of a chance to share their story.
Media has the power to shape perceptions and create opportunities. How do you approach the responsibility of using your platforms to influence and inspire others?
Ciara: I make sure that everything makes sense and I practice damage control before the damage. It’s important that we are always seen as our very best even on our worst days. I feel like it’s my responsibility to do that by providing a safe space for everyone I feature.
As a publisher and media entrepreneur, what have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned about leadership, growth, and staying relevant in a constantly changing industry?
Ciara: Some of the biggest lessons have been to make sure I never shrink because I’m a leader who leads well even in a room of other great and powerful leaders. Shrinking gets you overlooked. I’m no longer shrinking.
Growing can be challenging because things are always changing but I try to keep up. Do I always do the way it should be done? No I don’t but I do it.
Relevancy can be one of those things that you just can’t put your hands on. One day you’re up and the next you’re forgotten. Even in that, consistency has proven to be key.
Many people dream of building a successful brand but struggle with gaining visibility. What advice would you offer to entrepreneurs and professionals who want to increase their impact and reach a larger audience?
The best advice I can offer is to make sure you are hitting publications and platforms that align with your brand. Collaborate and use your network.
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Your work extends beyond publishing into creating resources, content, and initiatives designed to empower others. What projects are you most excited about right now, and why?
Ciara: I’m most excited about stepping into the role of becoming a humanitarian and coaching women to come out of their shells to share their stories. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Looking at the current media landscape, what trends or changes do you believe will have the greatest impact on how stories are shared and consumed in the future?
Ciara: I believe things will shift to where people will be back interested in talk shows again and hard copy publications. The internet is cool but lately I’ve been hearing people say they want to put the phone or device down and just enjoy the moment.
When people look back on your career and contributions to the media industry, what do you hope they remember most about Ciara Horton and the legacy you are building?
Ciara: I hope and pray that people say Ciara was able to inspire even the average person to boldly share their stories and to be loud and proud about who they are. I hope they say they enjoyed being a part of something that wasn’t temporary.
Follow online @cicreatedsheis, @he_isemagazine, @sheisemagazine
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