While some college students spend their time cramming in hours of studying or practicing for a recruited sport, Zuri Mabrey-Wakefield, ‘19, is writing a monthly column for “Unplug Magazine.” Founded by Barnard Sophomore Amanda Taylor, “Unplug” is “the first of its kind.” “Unplug Magazine” is “for and by black and brown women.” 

According to Mabrey-Wakefield, Taylor previously published personal narratives and compiled a magazine but is rebranding and relaunching this magazine this year, now titled “Unplug.” Mabrey-Wakefield is currently a freshman at Barnard College. She met Taylor while attending meetings for the Student Life Office (which Taylor runs) and got to know her in a group called “Blue Chats,” which hosts conversations for Barnard students about social justice issues and popular culture. Following these discussions, Taylor asked Mabrey-Wakefield to contribute to “Unplug.” Mabrey-Wakefield agreed and is now one of the columnists for the magazine.

“I think primarily my goal is to support the larger goals of the magazine which is to speak to and highlight the experiences of black and brown women and black and brown femmes, Mabrey-Wakefield said, “and foster conversation in an internet space that is often hostile.”

“Unplug Magazine” consists of writers and editors appointed by Taylor and contains a steady process of drafting and editing until work is eventually published. Writers submit drafts to editors by certain due dates based on publishing dates. They receive feedback and edit their work accordingly. 

“My column is going to be pop culture hot takes, responding to how black and brown femmes are portrayed. Specifically in relation to their bodies in media, television, and films,” Mabrey-Wakefield said.

Junior Aziza Mabrey-Wakefield, Mabrey-Wakefield’s sister, recognizes the importance of her sister’s column. “I think it’s something that needs to be talked about especially with awards season and the lack of diversity they have,” Aziza said. “I think this is new for her, so I think that’s why she took it on as a challenge.”

Although Mabrey-Wakefield may have had doubts about the column, she feels supported by “Unplug.” “I lacked confidence, I felt like I lacked the experience, but one thing that I think is revolutionary about ‘Unplug’ is that it reframes what it means to have experience,” Mabrey-Wakefield said. “Getting published in an editorial publication or having experience with a magazine or a newspaper is not necessarily the experience that we seek. We seek lived experiences.” 

When Mabrey-Wakefield was a freshman at Parker, English teacher Cory Zeller taught her Reading and Writing Across the Genres course. “I definitely am the writer that I am due to Ms. Zeller,” Mabrey-Wakefield said. According to Zeller, Mabrey-Wakefield stood out in a class with few girls. “She was incredibly mature and wise beyond her years, but she also had a really clear point of view,” Zeller said. “Even years later now, I still have visceral memories of some of her pieces.”

“Unplug” will be posting their work, including Mabrey-Wakefield’s column, on their website, which will be available for the public to see. Although Mabrey-Wakefield has written in a publication at Parker, this is a new experience for her and has been a challenge. “I’ve never done anything like this before,” Mabrey-Wakefield said. “I talked to my mom and she said to approach it like you’re writing a letter to a friend and I really took that to heart and hopefully that’s evident in the tone of my column.”