ALISA GUMBS
Executive Managing Editor, BLACK ENTERPRISE
As the executive managing editor of BLACK ENTERPRISE, Alisa Gumbs plays a critical role in the planning and execution of content across the company’s print, digital, and events platforms. In addition to developing content strategy and managing section editors, she is responsible for the timely production of each issue, including editing articles; determining editorial schedules and freelance budgets; and coordinating the production, art, and copy departments. She’s also involved in the planning of events agendas and digital campaigns, and currently serves as the lifestyle editor.
Gumbs joined BLACK ENTERPRISE in August 2003 as a copy editor and later spent a year as the copy chief before being promoted to managing editor in 2007. Earlier in her career, she was a senior copy editor and regional feature correspondent at PR Newswire, editing breaking business announcements and counseling clients on the development of feature news releases.
Throughout her time at BLACK ENTERPRISE, Gumbs has researched, reported, and written for the website and magazine, including cover stories in November 2011 on the business of foodies such as Marcus Samuelsson, in December 2010 on the social media savvy of blogger Gabi Fresh, and in September 2006 on the entrepreneurial pursuits of former models such as Tyra Banks and Iman. She has also been published in The Village Voice.
Gumbs is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication.