Discover Black Heritage: Media Mogul Dorothy Wilson

In celebration of Black History Month, each Thursday News 25’s Janae Jordan will introduce an African American making a difference in our community.

This week on WXXV’S Discover Black Heritage, Janae Jordan will introduce you to a media mogul giving a voice to women of all colors across the Coast. Media Mogul Dorothy Wilson said, “Having worked in the media business so long myself, I wanted to create a special atmosphere here.”

Wilson may not originally be from the Coast, but she is making her mark here as the editor and publisher of Gulf Coast Woman Magazine. “My passion is to be able to give others a platform, an opportunity to be able to amplify their message, elevate their brand, and I get to do that every day through Gulf Coast Woman Magazine.”

Working in the media for over 38 years, Wilson came to the Coast as the managing editor at the Sun Herald. The Georgia native ran the newspaper’s newsroom before moving over to special projects and says that’s when she fell in love with books and magazines. In 2012, she left the Sun Herald, looking for her next career move. “I was looking for my next opportunity and had an opportunity to team up with Dr. Angela Bruni, who started Gulf Coast Woman Magazine back in 1999. Since then, the magazine has grown rapidly.”

Gulf Coast Woman started as a 24-page stapled booklet and has grown to its present reach of about 165,000 people digitally and about 65,000 in print. “I understood what it was women needed. So, every day for me, working with my team, it really doesn’t feel like work. We are all passionate about what we do because we feel like we are helping. We are making a difference every day.”

Not only is Wilson the editor and publisher of Gulf Coast Woman Magazine, she is also the founder and host at Faith Inspiration Network, managing partner of CWR Digital Gulf Coast, co-founder of Success Women’s Conference, and president and owner of DWilson & Associations. “Being able to give back, being able to inspire and encourage others in everything that I do every day, that is a big deal.”

Wilson, a woman decorated with many accolades and awards, says her ultimate goal is to inspire all women, but especially women of color. “I just encourage all women, particularly women of color, speak up, share your message, and be an inspiration every day in what you do.”