There is something resilient about Bronx-born individuals. And if you’ve never been, you’ve heard a lot of the stories. You know the successes – Jennifer Lopez –aka Jenny from the Block – Fat Joe, Big Pun, Cardi B, Ralph Lauren, and Calvin Klein – but what about those who aren’t famed musicians and designers? What about the writers, teachers, guidance counselors, dreamers, and dancers on the 6 train? Bianca Gracie, The Bronx-bred, Long Island-raised Jamaican-American journalist and former Billboard editor, was once a sales associate at the 34th Street Urban Outfitters. At Northeastern University during her years in undergrad she majored and minored in communications and journalism, she was college president of the fashion club, editor for her university’s lifestyle magazine, contributor for the on-campus music magazine, and a member of the Caribbean as well as the Northeastern Black Student Association. Working in the fashion industry was the gifted writer’s goal and she was presented the opportunity to study abroad in Paris, a time she credits with helping her come into her own and find herself.

After a few internships and realizing fashion’s fickle nature and how impactful her Jamaican heritage and family’s involvement in music had been in her life, she flipped the switch and found success covering music.

Here, Bianca talks about the influential sounds of her culture, the challenges of freelancing, pivoting in a pandemic, and her first big leadership role as Managing Editor at EDITION by Modern Luxury in partnership with Roc Nation.

Describe the day you decided you wanted to be a writer? When was it, and how did that conversation with yourself go?

I have the date, December 7th, 2004, tattooed on myself for remembrance as it is the day I wrote my first poem. I’m not sure I can attribute wanting to be a writer to a particular day, but it would’ve been during my junior year as an undergrad student if I had to pinpoint it. I studied abroad in Paris, an experience that means so much to me. It shaped me as a person, especially since it was the first time in my life that I had ever been away from my family. It helped me find my identity, who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do with my life. I was writing a lot due to my classes. I was also a part of the literary magazine, where many of my days were spent conducting interviews and preparing for my internship at Idolator. The combination of all that kind of sparked a plug.

What are your top three pieces of written content?

I wrote a cover story on Laverne Cox for Paper Magazine –my first cover ever. We had such an honest and emotional conversation as we discussed our identities in this world as Black women. In 2019, I wrote a feature on the 20th Anniversary on SpongeBob at Billboard…[which] was so fulfilling for the kid who still lives within me. TLC! I interviewed T-Boz and Chili twice. The first was a general in-person interview for Idolator. The second time was at Billboard for the 20th Anniversary of FanMail, one of my favorite albums. That interview allowed me to speak with both ladies again. and included Dallas Austin. To speak with all three of them and go track by track discussing all these songs that define my childhood is quite unforgettable.

What position challenged you the most on your rise in the publishing industry outside of your new role?

My role at Billboard for sure. Idolator and Fuse was fair game for me to write about whatever I wanted, and I loved that flexibility. Billboard is such a giant in the music industry; they have a specific style and voice you must write within. Most people don’t know this but when Billboard initially hired me, I was on the print team. It was about six months to a year after working at the publication before joining the digital team. I was challenged a lot. I had to learn their way of editing, and it took me a little minute before I got it together. I was writing about the business side of things which was new for me that wasn’t my beat. I needed and, in hindsight, appreciate that challenge because it strengthened my voice as a writer and helped me enhance my portfolio.

You spent two years at Billboard Magazine as an Associate Editor. What was it like at a music publication?

By the time I transitioned to the digital side of the publication, it was incredible. I’m so proud of the legacy I built, especially as I provided Dance Hall and Reggae their rightful platforms, and I say that with complete confidence. That sound, that music is a part of me and part of my culture; my cousins and father were DJs for a sound system, so it flows through me. Of course, there had been coverage before me, and shoutout to Patricia Meschino, a brilliant freelancer who always writes about those genres. As a staff editor, though, doing interviews with Shaggy, Koffee, Sean Paul and Popcaan and being allowed to do a piece on Reggaeton about how Latin artists were borrowing from the culture was a big message to not forget us.

It was hard as hell walking around the magazine, though, especially as a Black woman. Now that I’m not employed there, I can say this. I’m naturally introverted and shy, but I had to let go of that and exert myself. I remember telling people to stop talking over me in meetings, saying no and fighting back on what I wanted to do, and pleading my case on why certain things were important.

Last Summer, you became the Managing Editor of EDITION by Modern Luxury. How did this opportunity come about?

After the layoffs in April 2020, I started freelancing heavily and continued until early 2021. I was burned out. I was tired of worrying about whether a pitch would get greenlit or whether I would make enough to pay my bills. So, I took some time off from freelancing to figure out my next move because I knew I couldn’t keep writing if I wasn’t enjoying it anymore. The universe is funny because I received five job offers all at once during that intermission. An old co-worker of mine had recommended me for this position. I chose it because I knew I wanted a challenge, and they made the best offer. In addition, I love what the magazine stands for when it comes to highlighting people of color, especially Black people, and the Roc Nation affiliation made it all the cooler.

How are you determining what content to create in your new post?

Not to sound like a marketing piece, but our mission at Edition is to highlight people of color and creators of color, mainly Black people, and showcase that luxury is attainable for us. Our Editor-in-Chief Isoul H. Harris and I look for people going against the grain and creating their own legacy and space in whatever industry sector they are in. People who are making an impact in their communities. FYI you don’t need to be famous for me to pay attention.

Did you ever think you would get here? Or were you just hoping that one day everything would fall into place?

I didn’t! When imposter syndrome gets ahold of you, its grip is hard to let go of. There have been several moments where I’ve sat back and asked myself, “Am I good at this? What am I doing?” Writing is my thing, and I know I’m good at it, but is it good enough for me to be at all these places? I didn’t think I would enter this industry and eventually become this big-time editor. I wanted to work in fashion, but the industry is fickle, and seeing how it treated people who looked like me frankly turned me off. I just so happened to pivot into music, and I didn’t think this little Black Jamaican girl from the Bronx could be where I’m at.

Issa Rae is on the first cover of Edition! What was your involvement in this issue, and do you feel pressure to top that as the managing editor?

I call myself the magazine wrangler because it’s a mix of overseeing the budgets, the team, freelancers, and interns. I’m also editing, writing, and speaking with publicists all the time. I make sure the deadlines are being met when it comes to stories being turned in on time, work in conjunction with the photo editors to ensure they’re getting everything they need, and make sure the layout is as it needs to be. This was my first issue, and honestly, it’s the biggest leadership position I’ve had in my career, so it’s been tough because I’ve been learning on the go, but it’s understood by those above me, and I appreciate the grace they’ve given me.

If you could go back to when you first started and give yourself advice now that you are a Managing Editor, what would you say?

I would take it so personally when my editors would critique or change something in a story I produced back in the day. But then I realized that they were just trying to help me improve my writing. I’m tough on myself, so I would say, “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself and give yourself more grace.”

IG: @biancag16

Twitter: @BiancaEnRogue