GBF Magazine

An Interview with Stephanie "Dakara" Wynne
Publisher of GBF Magazine

1. Why did you start GBF magazine?
   I wanted to meet someone special. Bars and parties just weren't the places that I wanted to meet someone. At the time personal ads in publication was the norm. So in September 1990 I drafted a one brochure advertising personal ads that later turned into GBF Magazine.
   
   
2. How did GBF go from just listing personal ads to including articles?
   In order to create something readable and interesting I thought it would be great to add articles, short stories, columns and poetry. I advertised in the magazine and readers responded with their work.
   
   
3. What's been the most rewarding thing about publishing GBF?
   Knowing that a sista can make a love connection. GBF from the beginning has been about connecting GBF's.
   
   
4. How has publishing GBF affected your life?
   It's time consuming in some ways, but challenging. It's changed my life because of the short stories, some of them I've turned in to films so it's been a great stepping stone from publishing to films.
   
   
5. What has been the community's response to GBF, both originally and to its rebirth?
   In the beginning the community didn't see GBF coming, just as I didn't. Within a month of the initial drop into the community in 1990 there has always been an interest. Current interest is incredible.
   
   
6. What is are your long term goals for Gay Black Female magazine and GBF movies?
   To continue to combine the magazine and films together. Writers that submit their stories to GBF I'd like to maybe get the opportunity to shoot their work. I'd like to bring together more GBF films together for distribution as well as getting GBF out to video stores and cable TV.
   
   
7. What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start their own magazine?
   They have two choices: on-line or print. It's easy to start an on-line magazine, but when you go print you have another level of responsibility. If I had to only do GBF on-line only I don't think I would be interested. I would say know if you can make a true commitment. Because once you get the first subscription you are bound.
   
   
8. What do you want people to know about Stephanie Wynne?
   Hmmmm, I'm creative, intelligent, militant and will probably die talkin' shyt. I keep my words real and actions to the point, whether it's the magazine or films you can't put me in a box. Never.

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Read Excerpts: April | May (pdf files)

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