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The world is slowly updating to a stance where no one is under discrimination. Even though it is a long way for its full implementation, gender inequality and racial differences are fading with time. Besides, people are also showing great interest in emerging culture that makes them happy and positive.  

In an interview with Industry Wired, Ronit Pinto, Founder of Honeysuckle Magazine, explains how she tries to acknowledge diverse voices in her publication. She also shares her journey through founding the magazine and how it helps transforming the society at large.

Brief us about the magazine, its specialization, and the kind of articles it offers to the readers.  

Ronit Pinto: Honeysuckle Media is a print and digital publication that emphasizes diverse voices with high visual impact. The magazine explores gender and sexuality, racial politics, the environment and pop culture. We are a truth-telling publication, motivated by the collective desire to better ourselves and our communities through information. We fuse 'the high street with the underground,' by giving a voice to marginalized communities, while also covering stories that are more corporate and mainstream. Our contributors and staffers are diverse, curious and highly intelligent, reflective of our audience. Honeysuckle's 'boots on the ground' reporting reflects how we live what we write rather than just reporting on it.  

Historically, Honeysuckle has an impressive track record of achieving remarkable accomplishments with limited resources. We have won two awards for progressive reporting, a high honor from the New York State government- a Citation Award from the New York State Assembly (Assemblywoman Inez E. Dickens of the 70th District) for 'significant contribution to the culture and community of New York City' and another award from State Senator Brian Benjamin for taking a progressive stance on 'the social and economic issues which plague our society.' 

Most recently, an article we published on Corona State Prison inmate DaReta Gail Steverson aided in her compassionate release. Steverson, was imprisoned for 22 years, has leukemia and tested positive for COVID. Through our friend and colleague Shawanna Vaughn of the non-profit Silent Cry, we were able to assist in DaReta's compassionate release.  

“You helped me free a human,” Shawanna said. With the magazine’s content consumed by audiences ranging from ages between 18 and 70, from diverse economic backgrounds – such as incarcerated citizens to Ivy League university students, CEOs and farmers - we have a varied and diversified audience base. Honeysuckle seeks to create new opportunities for its audience to understand the importance of their individual voices and actions in contributing to the globe as a whole.  

Our landmark campaigns have changed decades of state policy allowing new opportunities for cannabis brands and other marginalized communities.  

As Honeysuckle has grown, especially since relocating to New York from Detroit, it has seen an expansion into areas of content and coverage that touch on all the major questions of our day: Why are our racial and economic disparities so extreme, and how can we improve them?  What role does capitalism play in its current form?  How can we rectify the gaping political inequalities in our country? What is the future of our planet and how can we develop our job sectors to align with this? How are the youngest members of society coming up on their own? In our coverage, we address all these topics to the best of our ability by reporting from locations around the world and bring reasoned, informative and cutting-edge accounts to light for our audience. Honeysuckle provides an open-minded forum with the goal of empowering people to build the future they want for themselves. 

Give an overview of your background and your role in the company.  

Ronit Pinto: I am the founder and publisher of Honeysuckle which I founded in Detroit, as an outlet for cultural and personal exploration. I merged my interests and background in journalism and film to create a source for intellectual curiosity with a soul- an educational and stimulating publication through a cultural lens. Honeysuckle has always been a platform encouraging hope and individual expression in the face of challenging and extraordinary circumstances, even while facing an international pandemic.  

Before creating Honeysuckle, I worked through college at Starbucks, in gyms, in restaurants, etc. Then later as a freelance journalist for publications such as Allure Magazine, The Jerusalem Post (in Tel Aviv,) Ambassador Magazine, and finally as a publisher's assistant for a fashion and design publication. As a crew member through locals 38 and 52 (Detroit and New York) I have worked across several departments in film including set dressing and special effects. I still continue to write and direct my own projects. I also work on film projects with my partner Sam Long.  

It's my job as the visionary to take big risks and find ways to finance them.  

What are the past experiences, achievements or lessons that shaped your journey as a successful leader?  

Ronit Pinto: I founded Honeysuckle during a time of personal tumult. I have understood most of my life, what it feels like to be misunderstood. People judge others according to how they think, believe and see the world. These standards are often informed by a value system that I have been penalized by and one that I do not fully believe in. We live within systems that 12 can be very unempathetic, selective and superficial. I think the fact that I have experienced diverse economic and cultural dynamics over time, has given me insight and perspective. I'm constantly astounded by the fact that it is often the most underprivileged and underserved that express the greatest generosity and joy. Even within our magazine, some of our biggest supporters are those who came from very little.  

What are some of the primary challenges that you faced during the initial phase of your journey?  

Ronit Pinto: Being an introvert and distrusting others. If you've been alive long enough, then you have probably had some bad experiences with humans! It's hard to trust people. Ultimately, I had to learn to come out of my shell and interact with others in core ways. Their needs and desires can be as integral as mine. Our financial trajectory has been risky and windy to say the least! But I think we are starting to see the other side of a calculated risk. Being an independent media house, Honeysuckle has never fit into a traditional financial model, but we finding our place pivoting from a primarily print model, thanks to some wonderful people we are working with.  

Describe some of the vital attributes that every transformational leader should possess.  

Ronit Pinto: I think a transformational leader should have the ability to do wat they feel is the most impactful, even in the face of adversity. There are millions of things people say you shouldn't do. It's challenging to move forward without mental and emotional support. So, find one or two people who will encourage you. Belief in yourself and others' conviction and faith in you is, in some situations, all you need to take it to the next level.  

How do you come up with story ideas that appeal to your audience?  

Ronit Pinto: We listen to people in a genuine sense. We let our writers and readers inform us of important topics. While we keep an eye on trends, we are not excluded to market trends. We strive to be authentic and organic in our approach and find subjects that are meaningful to us and the world around us.  

How are disruptive technologies impacting today's innovation and how has the role of a leader changed over the years?  

Ronit Pinto: There are a ton of digital and AI technological innovations and they change all of the time. I am not a tech person but by default I have to be increasingly hip to what's out there, especially in terms of digital media, of course. I think women are less likely to want to dominate the entire situation and more likely to listen and be more open to other points of view from people in their teams. It will lead to better leadership in some cases. The best teams have a mix of energies and personalities.  

How do you see the magazine and the industry in the future ahead?  

Ronit Pinto: We are finding our place in the digital mediascape. We will continue to hit topics that are important to us, such as environmental cultural issues, social issues, and prison reform. We hope to fuse our passion for heady, analytical, newsworthy stories with forward-thinking cultural outlets and brands and align with like-minded writers, supporters and sponsors.  

What is your advice for budding or emerging women leaders?  

Ronit Pinto: It's challenging for me to separate leaders in terms of women and men. They are the same to me in that what matters is that the job gets done. There are distinct skill sets I have seen between men and women that I think is obviously largely a product of how we were raised. To all the ladies: Don't think you have to 'be like a man or fight like a man.' Be You! And bring whatever You have to the table. You may have certain qualities that are atypical inside of the traditional 'business box.' That doesn't mean they aren't valuable and critical tools to help you succeed. Sometimes our economy is run in a particular way that values business and money over outside of the box thinking. I think women can help round out the kinds of leadership roles we need. I enjoy a simulating and fast paced life that is also constructive. Very few jobs and industries can provide that for me at a level I find compatible. Henceforth, I created it for myself.