A letter from our editor-in-chief.

Courtesy of Aïssatou Odia Barry.

Dear reader,

Some dreams drift in and out like passing clouds. Others arrive with a thud, refusing to leave until you pay them attention. For me, starting a magazine for girls was the latter.

I was eleven years old when I first saw myself running a magazine. The inspiration? A Disney Channel movie called Frenemies, starring Zendaya and Bella Thorne. Their characters, Halley and Avalon, were high school students who co-founded a web magazine called GeeklyChic. The idea was so prolific a publisher from Manhattan offered to buy the magazine, but on one condition : only one of them could be the senior editor. Tensions brewed, egos clashed, and the friendship between Avalon and Halley was tested. But as the two best friends realize they didn't to risk their friendship over a publisher deal. I too wanted to build something of the sort. Something pink. Something bold. Something with purpose.

But as I reached high school, my vision began to blur. Being “realistic” took over. I was now looking at careers from a pragmatic point of view. I considered becoming an architect (I loved to sketch), but maths wasn’t my strong suit. I explored international relations, hoping to one day work in diplomacy, and later flirted with the idea of law school (my parents had drilled into me that I’d make a good attorney because I can argue).

Still, as I neared the end of my undergraduate studies, two truths became clear : I loved journalism and education.

Blessed to have parents that believed in me, I found myself emboldened to follow my dream. I applied to top journalism schools in the United States and, to my surprise, got into the Columbia Journalism School. There, I met the most amazing people, the most talented reporters, and most importantly, I developed my passion for education reporting. From interviewing school principals and parents to visiting school districts, I immersed myself in stories that are important. Now was time to take a chance at launching my own magazine. In February of 2025, I incorporated Djiwö Media.

This magazine is a return to a little girl dream — the one that never really left. It’s a space for the girls who are growing, questioning, and exploring. Be it study hacks, articles, resources for college applications, and even personal essays written by readers, Djiwö magazine is a movement towards putting girl’s education at the forefront of culture, where it always should have been.

Welcome to the movement.

With love and purpose,

Aïssatou Odia Barry