C.A.I: Kim, thank you for taking time out to share your project with C.A.I. Tell us where the vision for Jubilee Magazine came from?
Kim Ford: I created JUBILEE because I saw a void in the industry. When I re-dedicated my life to Christ in 2001, I didn’t see enough faith-based media that represented me. Either the content was for individuals 45 and older or the quality was less than average. I wasn’t moved to purchase it, regardless of the content being faith-based, and I LOVE Christ! I also saw this as one of the barriers to why young adults don’t fully convert to Christianity. They look at it as a death sentence to their social life instead of seeing it as newness of life. I knew what the 18-34 age demographic wanted and needed, therefore I saw myself as the best person to create it without readers being bombarded with worldly suggestions. For example, one major magazine may feature great fashion, great places to travel, have a polished look and then bam, an article that headlines “10 Ways to Have Great Sex With Your Man.” If you’ve made a decision to stay sexually pure until marriage, that may not be the best magazine to read. In JUBILEE, you’ll still find great articles about fashion, music and life, but our word-based article would be titled, “10 Ways to Know If He Or She Is THE ONE.”
C.A.I. What’s so distinct about this project is the way it merges Hollywood and the Gospel. With your online version at www.jubileemag.com , how has JUBILEE been received by the Christian community so far?
Kim Ford: JUBILEE has been greatly received, by my colleagues and readers. It gives believers and non-believers an alternative to what’s out there. We have to be protective of what we hear, watch, read and say. Mainly because it influences the way we think. JUBILEE gives that outlet without compromising. Believers like the fact that they can find quality articles about music that’s not frequently played on the radio from artists like Lisa McClendon, Canton Jones, Joann Rosario and many others. At the same time, I may interview a group like Day26 of MTV’s Making the Band 4. They are not known for making gospel music, but when I talked to them it was clear that the gospel is in them. Not all people are called to solely make gospel music. Some other artists we feature create music that lyrically tells stories about life and love like India.Arie, PJ Morton (www.myspace.com/pjmorton), and Kameron Corvet (www.myspace.com/kameroncorvet) who’s very big on the West coast, Canada, France and the UK. Since JUBILEE is a faith-based magazine, some find it strange for us to attend 'secular' events. The reason is simple. Our light shines best when we are there for those who want to come out of dark situations. We always tell the naysayers to stay close and watch our results.
C.A.I: Before embarking on this project what was your professional background?
Kim Ford: I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Grambling State University in Grambling, LA in 1997. On the day of graduation, I moved to Atlanta eager to start the next phase of my life. I worked in corporate America for many years after that but wasn’t fulfilled. I did a lot of soul searching and located what I always wanted to do since high school, journalism.
C.A.I: Being completely new to the world of publishing, how did you get started?
Kim Ford: This may sound like the typical answer, but I was truly Holy Spirit led. I dissected other magazines, read books about magazine publishing, asked a lot of questions and eventually took some journalism classes. I learned the most by just getting out there and doing it. My first big job I received clearance to cover was the BET Hip Hop awards in 2007. There was a roped-off section on the red carpet for media. MTV & People Magazine was on one side of me, BET & SOHH.com (a hip-hop on-line magazine), was on another side of me along with at least 100 other media outlets. I’d watch their technique of interviewing and looked at the equipment they used and adopted something similar that worked for me. I made a lot of contacts and built relationships from there. Since then I have interviewed industry and ministry greats like Danny Glover, Quincy Jones, Pastor Mason Betha, Pastor Paula White, Tye Tribbett, Fonzworth Bentley, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, Chris Tucker, Hill Harper, Dallas Austin, Yolanda Adams and many others. We’ve also covered the Billboard Awards, Trumpet Awards, VH1 Celebrity Stylist casting, Maya Angelou's 80th Birthday celebration and many other high profile events.
C.A.I: You are currently building up to the big national launch of the print version this year. What kind of features and articles can we anticipate?
Kim Ford: Of course some of that is top secret until the issue publishes, but we will use some of our most popular features like Fonzworth Bentley: More Than A Celebrity, Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Color Purple, 10 Ways to Know if He or She Is "The One", and one that talks about how to love after you’ve been hurt.
C.A.I: Where will readers be able to obtain Jubilee Magazine?
Kim Ford: Once the issue publishes, readers will be able to find JUBILEE in most major bookstores like Barnes & Noble, Borders, Family Christian Bookstores and a few other locations we’re still working on. You’ll be able to subscribe at the website, www.jubileemag.com.
C.A.I: For readers out there who are also business minded, have creative concepts, visions and dreams, tell us what the journey has been like for you, bringing a vision from concept to reality?
Kim Ford: It’s definitely been a journey! For me, it started with having a passion for what I’m publishing. It’s all about souls and being a billboard for Christ. That’s what fuels me when things get difficult. After that, you’ve got to have a great plan and execute something towards that plan everyday, no matter how small.
C.A.I: C.A.I’s readers mainly consist of the Christian music industry, some Major Label Artists, Record labels, Event Organizers along with large ministries and so forth. Perhaps they have large events they wish to publicize to your audience, new CD releases, or an interest story. What prospects do they have to engage with this publication and are your advertising rates feasible?
Kim Ford: There are several opportunities to make all of that happen. We sell advertising for the on-line and print version of the magazine at rates that wont break the bank. We also send out e-blasts and create special promotions for artists & events via myspace. Contact us at advertising@jubileemag.com for more information.
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