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Brown Girl Gumbo

Monday Sep 1, 2008 – By Clutch

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So, why should you add yet another site to your ever growing blogroll? What if we could suggest a blog that offers up everything we fab brown girls love-a tasty mix of fashion trends, beauty news and entertainment? Well, it’s all at Brown Girl Gumbo- a site dedicated to keeping us in the know. We talked to head brown girl, Karla Borders Pope, who puts her passion for journalism and magazines to good use on one of our newly bookmarked sites.

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Karla: browngirlgumbo.com

Q : Tell us a little bit about yourself…
I’m a married 28-year-old young woman living in Brooklyn, NY who loves all things beauty, fashion and style! I’m originally from Chicago, but came to NYC a little over 5 years ago to pursue my dreams of being a magazine writer. I’ve known that I wanted to work in the magazine and publishing industry since I was a kid. It’s just always been my passion. I can remember anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Highlights issues and my mom’s Essence and Ebony magazines. I would even write compilations of short stories at a very young age. Now, I currently work at Parade Magazine.

Q : When and Why did you start “Brown Girl Gumbo”?’
I started Brown Girl Gumbo in September 2007. I decided to create my own blog after reading so many others and realized that I could do it too. I loved reading the beauty, fashion and entertainment blogs and thought that it would be a good idea to come up with a blog that had all three of those elements that I enjoyed reading and writing about.

Q : Why did you name your blog “Brown Girl Gumbo”?
I named my blog, “Brown Girl Gumbo,” because I didn’t want to focus on just one topic like many other blogs; I wanted it to be a mixture of all the things that I love — beauty, fashion and entertainment. Gumbo is a mixture of good things, so to me it just worked. The tagline, “Stirring Up Everything that Chic Brown Girls Love,” soon followed.

Q : How do you decide what and who to cover on your blog?
Well, I decide what to cover by balancing a mix of beauty, fashion and entertainment. There’s really no method to what I cover as long as it pertains to issues that I feel my audience would enjoy reading. I also do a bit of health and lifestyle posts from time to time too.

Q : You have had some awesome interviews on your site! So far, who was your favorite interview and why?
Thank you! So far I think my favorite person to interview has been Hill Harper. I admire what he’s doing for our youth. He’s an amazing actor and uses his celebrity to help uplift our oftentimes neglected communities. He was an absolute pleasure to talk to.

Q : We know you love to write, do you do any freelancing and have you been published in any glossies yet?
I have a few freelancing gigs lined up. I must admit, I haven’t really pursued freelancing in the past as much as I should have until recently. In the past, I have been published in the now defunct Honey magazine, several Chicago newspapers and most recently PARADE.com. Hopefully, in the upcoming months you’ll see my byline more often!

Q : When you’re not writing for “Brown Girl Gumbo”, what are some other sites that you visit?
I love reading a variety of blogs, including Tea & Such, The Pretty Circle, Kwana Writes, Inverted Reflection, Rantings of a Rebella, 12th Planet, Kanye West’s blog…the list really goes on and on! In addition to blogs, I regularly visit news sites. I’ve always been obsessed with what’s going on in the world so — CNN, Chicago Sun-Times.com, NYPost.com, NYTimes.com and the Washingtonpost.com are all sites that I visit daily too.

Q : What’s next for you and “Brown Girl Gumbo”?
I’m going to pursue freelance writing more aggressively and hopefully expand Brown Girl Gumbo into a full-fledged online magazine.

Q : Why should someone add “Brown Girl Gumbo” to his or her daily blog reading list?
A person should add BGG to his or her daily blog reading list because you never know what you’re going to get. One day you may get a celebrity interview, another day it may be about the hottest fashions or the latest beauty product. It’s always a fun and quick read that is always going to be something that women can relate to. As for guys, they should check it out because they can learn about what women enjoy and my blog can also serve as a site for them to find great gift ideas for the women in their lives.

Q : In five words describe “Brown Girl Gumbo”?
Informative, Entertaining, Fun, Honest, Pretty

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27 Comments – Add Yours

  1. miriam white miriam white says:

    I’ve been reading BGG for a while and I love her suggestions on fashion.
    They’re practical and she has saved me a lot of time and money.
    I wish you the best and I’ll continue listen to you.

  2. Keysha  E. Keysha E. says:

    I love it will add her to my daliy readings !

  3. K Bear K Bear says:

    I check out BGG first thing every morning! I never know what to expect but I am never disappointed. I especially love the many great tips I’ve received from BGG as well as the interviews and I absolutely love her Fabulous Photos every Friday!

  4. K.Mich K.Mich says:

    fresh, young, and hot!! something for everyone. BBG is now in my favorites!

  5. Be Just Be Just says:

    Awesome interview! I love reading BGG’s exclusive interviews. BGG is definitely a far cry from your run of the mill blog. Most blogs are negative, reckless and filled with gossip. BGG is a breath of fresh air when you need your fashion and entertainment fix.

  6. Fresh Fresh says:

    I actually just found BGG about 2 months ago and it is a really great blog if I must say so myself!!!

  7. KBL KBL says:

    I love her blog! It’s positive which is rare now in these times. I also love the interviews, you never know who she will introduce to her audience.

    BGG, is always ahead of the game with fashion and new ideas. What more can I say, it’s a must read!

  8. that guy that guy says:

    bbg is a great blog!!! i read it everyday

  9. CC CC says:

    I read BGG on a regular basis. It is a great blog, with great content! Keep up the great work!

  10. Yolanda Mason Yolanda Mason says:

    Carla,
    Congrats on your success, the interview was great. I was totally unware of all the awesome things that you are doing. I am so proud of you. YOU ARE A NATURAL…

  11. aisha adair aisha adair says:

    I love Brown Girl Gumbo. I especially love the interviews. I also enjoy the fashion and beauty tips.

  12. prhoney prhoney says:

    Brown Girl Gumbo rocks! Before I even take a sip of coffee, I take a sip of BGG.

  13. Tawanna Thompson Tawanna Thompson says:

    BGG is part of my daily routine! I start with God for the spiritual, soulful balance that I need, and BGG to keep me in the loop with everything from fashion, beauty and entertainment. Simply put, BGG is hot! Somebody please call the fire department , BGG is burning up the web!!

  14. PBW PBW says:

    BGG is addictive!

    I’ve bought several of the goodies she’s mentioned on her site and have never been disappointed.

  15. I love BGG. One of my fave blog reads every morning!

  16. Tamera Tamera says:

    Karla has a great mix of interesting, relevant, well written content and I’m very happy to know her, read her, and work with her. Always looking forward to what’s next!

  17. Alfreda Alfreda says:

    Even as a “mature” chic BG, I value Karla’s input, interviews and updates on what’s hot and what’s not in the fashion industry. She is and continues to impress me with her knowledge of fashion. Her interviews always get the answers to questions we are thinkng about. Watch out world, Karla Borders-Pope is on her way up!!!!!!!!!!!!

  18. Ananda Leeke Ananda Leeke says:

    BGG is one of my favorite places to visit. Karla Borders-Pope is a phenomenal fashion, lifestyle, and popular culture writer.

  19. Afia Afia says:

    I absolutely love Brown Girl Gumbo!!! I read it everyday. I recently have had some technological issues/difficulties and have been out of the loop for awhile. Let me tell you, I felt lost without my daily dose of BGG!!!

  20. SolShine7 SolShine7 says:

    Brown Girl Gumbo totally rocks! It’s the best site of its kind plus it treats its subjects with respect and there isn’t any of those nasty remarks you get on most fashion/style/celebrity blogs. I wish Karla all the best and I eagerly await BGG turning into a full online magazine status.

  21. T T says:

    Brown Girl Gumbo is number one on my blog roll. Not only does she keep me fabulously up to date. She also keeps my pockets emptied from trying all the new stuff she suggests. (Yes, I bought the Tag polka dot luggage, yes I love it).

    Thanks for the shout too BGG!

  22. Nicole Nicole says:

    Wonderful interview! BGG is certainly a breath of fresh air in beauty and fashion!

  23. Karla Karla says:

    Everyone, thanks so much for all of the kinds words!! Deanna, thanks so much for featuring me!! I truly appreciate it! :-)

  24. Brandi Brandi says:

    I am definitely a fan! If I have questions about the entertainment world, I know exactly where to look for the answers. BGG is the dictionary of everything Fab!

  25. Jackie Donaldson Jackie Donaldson says:

    This is my first time reading info. on the Brown Girl Gumbo website! Its very nice and I look forward to viewing again. Have a great upcoming weekend and stay strong!!

    Jackie D.

  26. Go B Go B says:

    Hmmmm…seems like something work checking into!!! BRB

    Go b.

  27. Krissy Krissy says:

    I LOVE THIS BLOG!! HOPE TO SEE NEW INTERVIEWS SOON!! I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO GOING ON THIS BLOG WHEN I’M OFF SCHOOL!

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