Marielle Bobo was one among the litany of professionals that participated in a workshop on “The Changing Landscape of Editorial Imagery” at the just finished GTCO Fashion Weekend.
The prominent journalist, who is based in New York, has worked in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle media for more than 20 years. She just pre-launched Ebony Media under new ownership and is now the Editor-in-Chief and Senior Vice President, Programming. With a modern lens, a new perspective, and powerful voices, Bobo is tasked with leading Ebony’s strategic expansion as a digital-first brand while honoring the foundational components of its 75-year legacy—innovative storytelling, compelling imagery, original reporting, and the creation of long and short form content.
Worth mentioning is that Marielle didn’t fail to mention, she has always had a taste of Africa just like Tattasetv here in Nigeria.
Answering the question, “What do you like about Nigeria?”
She said: “Everything – the food, the culture, the music and the energy.”
She continued: “You walk in the streets and there’s just so much going on. The excitement, the energy, you can feel the energy when you come here. There are so many things going on here. There’s nothing like that back in the US.”
Again, when asked: “In the US, there’s this negative perception about Nigeria and I’m sure so many people warned you about coming to Nigeria?”
Marielle quickly debunked it, affirming that Nigeria and indeed Africa has become a dream place to be unlike the popular opinion of the country been inhabitable.
“No. Not that I know. I grew up in New York; I have lots of Nigerian friends. New York is very diverse; you have people from everywhere. When I told my friends that I was coming to Nigeria, they said: ‘Oh, I wish I could come’.
“Also, so many black people in the US are leaving America to come here. I have lots of friends that have moved here. I have Nigerian friends that grew up in America, and they have moved here. Interestingly, we have a lot of black people that want to come back (to Nigeria),” she said.
Marielle Bobo has appeared on various television outlets including Good Morning America, Fox 5 News, Today Show and Entertainment Tonight. Also, Hello Beautiful named her one of the most powerful black women in fashion. In this interview, she opened up on her growing up, career as a fashion and lifestyle journalist, and impression of Nigeria among others.
