Y:L Magazine is a progressive new publication for African American girls aged 12-17. This is the stage in life when girls are beginning to discover who they are as individuals and begin forging identities for themselves. In a popular culture that floods audiences with images of African American women as hyper-sexed, money-hungry, objects of desire, Y:L’s mission is to inform, encourage and educate young girls that they don’t have to fit into that mold. By providing them with the tools to bolster their confidence, self-esteem and self-image, teenaged girls can have a better understanding of their worth as people. Striving to educate, rather than preach and persuade, Y:L is to be a reference to help girls make informed decisions in their lives. By incorporating elements on dating, school, fashion, beauty, entertainment, fitness, community service and current events, it is our hope our readers will be inspired to exceed expectations and be more than another Black girl stereotype.