The Editors Of ESSENCE Present A Salute To Michelle Obama

NEW YORK, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- All eyes have been on First Lady Michelle Obama since her husband, President Barack Obama, kicked off his first historic presidential campaign in 2008. Over the years, we have watched her become a style icon and one of the most photographed women in the world. Now, just as Inauguration Day approaches, the editors of ESSENCE have recaptured her earlier moments with a special commemorative book, A Salute to Michelle Obama (Time Inc. Home Entertainment, Inc.) that illuminates her current role as First Lady today and charts one of the most incredible personal journeys in American history. The book also features an introduction by ESSENCE Editor-in-chief Constance C.R. White, as well as moving tributes from prolific author Dr. Maya Angelou, life coach Iyanla Vanzant and "First Grandmother" Marian Robinson.

A Salute to Michelle Obama documents Mrs. Obama's life from the South Side of Chicago to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This lavishly illustrated title also explores the social, cultural and political impact of the First Lady's education, health, and military family initiatives; her national and international causes and campaigns, and her broad fashion sense that connects with both Seventh Avenue and Main Street. Similar to ESSENCE's previous best-sellers, The Obamas in the White House: Reflections on Family, Faith and Leadership, and The Obamas: Portrait of American's New First Family, this latest offering combines stunning images of the First Lady in and out of the White House with the President and her family, along with memorable quotes she has provided both exclusively to the magazine and from her most popular speeches and addresses.

"The editors of ESSENCE took special care in pulling images and quotes from celebrities and influencers that would commemorate the First Lady's journey over the past four years," said Constance C.R. White, ESSENCE Editor-in-chief. "These photos truly capture the sheer admiration and pride that her fans feel whenever they see her—whether she's speaking to a crowd of thousands at the Democratic National Convention or when she's simply alone with her family. This book is very timely as Inauguration Day approaches, and we begin to look forward to even more stunning images of the First Lady over the next four years. This book also promises to be a wonderful gift to a young woman in your life for the holidays, especially since it reinforces positive images of Black women."

The book's soft cover version is available on newsstands now. The hardcover version will be available on January 8, 2013 at retailers nationwide. For more information, visit ESSENCE.com/books/michelleobama.

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.:

Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online.  The company's flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music, Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 42 years, ESSENCE, which has a brand reach of over 8 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions relating to every area of African-American women's lives.  Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.

SOURCE ESSENCE Magazine