More Than Enough

More Than Enough Plot Summary

Introduction

In the glossy world of fashion magazines where tradition often reigns supreme, Elaine Welteroth emerged as a revolutionary force who redefined what leadership could look like in media. As the youngest person and only the second Black woman to hold an editor-in-chief title in Condé Nast's 107-year history, Welteroth transformed Teen Vogue from a fashion-focused publication into a platform that tackled politics, social justice, and identity while still celebrating style. Her groundbreaking tenure coincided with one of America's most divisive political periods, during which she fearlessly guided young readers through complex conversations about race, gender, and power. Welteroth's journey from a biracial girl in suburban California to a trailblazing media executive offers profound insights into navigating spaces where you're often "the first" or "the only." Through her story, we witness the power of authentic leadership, the courage required to challenge established systems from within, and the importance of creating platforms that amplify marginalized voices. Her career demonstrates that true transformation doesn't come from fitting into existing structures but from reimagining them entirely—a lesson that resonates far beyond the publishing industry to anyone seeking to create meaningful change in their field.

Chapter 1: Roots and Identity: Navigating the In-Between

Elaine Welteroth was born in 1986 to a white father and Black mother in Newark, California, a predominantly white suburb in the Bay Area. From her earliest days, she inhabited what she calls "the in-between"—a space between racial identities that required constant navigation. This experience of straddling different worlds would later become one of her greatest strengths, though during childhood, it presented significant challenges. In preschool, when asked to create a family collage from magazine cutouts, young Elaine chose white people to represent her family, having found no images that reflected her own biracial reality. When her mother discovered this, she helped Elaine create a new collage using Black magazines, an early lesson in the importance of representation that would shape Elaine's future work. Growing up, Elaine's relationship with her hair became a powerful metaphor for her journey toward self-acceptance. She spent years trying to tame her natural curls to fit in with her white classmates, dunking her head under bathroom faucets and plastering it with gel to maintain what she called the "crispy, crunchy" look popular in the '90s. These struggles with appearance reflected deeper questions about identity and belonging that followed her into adolescence. In high school, she began receiving attention from Black boys after years of being overlooked by white boys, introducing her to the complexities of colorism and the problematic premium placed on "mixed girls" with lighter skin. College became the battleground where Elaine truly confronted her racial identity. After breaking up with her high school boyfriend, who had served as her "liaison" to Black social spaces, she had to navigate these environments on her own. She describes being biracial as existing in a "constant state of in-between," having access to two worlds but never fully belonging to either. This tension came to a head during a party where she was called a racial slur by a white student, an experience that solidified her understanding that "as long as I was moving through a White world, I'd be seen as a Black woman—and treated accordingly." It was in a rhetorical criticism class that Elaine found the academic framework to analyze and articulate her experiences with race and identity. Through studying India.Arie's song "I Am Not My Hair," she began questioning her own light-skin privilege and understanding the powerful role she could play in challenging Eurocentric beauty standards. By her senior year, she was actively confronting colorism among her peers, using her voice to challenge harmful narratives even when it made others uncomfortable—a skill that would later define her editorial leadership. These formative experiences with racial identity weren't just personal struggles; they were preparing Elaine for her future role as a change agent in media. Her intimate understanding of existing between worlds gave her a unique perspective on inclusion and representation. Rather than seeing her "otherness" as a limitation, she eventually learned to harness it as a source of insight and innovation—a perspective that would allow her to transform institutions from within and create space for voices that had long been marginalized in mainstream publications.

Chapter 2: Finding Her Voice: Early Media Experiences

Elaine's entry into the media world began with a pivotal internship at Ebony magazine in 2008. After initially accepting a position at Essence, she changed course when she met Harriette Cole, a respected Black media executive who offered her an opportunity at Ebony. Despite warnings from friends that Ebony was the "unsexy" choice compared to Essence, Elaine followed her intuition and joined Harriette's team. Her first day delivered a sobering reality check—the office had dingy carpets and walls, and the "fashion closet" was merely a storage room overflowing with office supplies. More significantly, she quickly realized that Black publications were treated as second or third tier in the industry, especially in fashion and beauty spaces. Despite these challenges, Elaine's Ebony experience proved invaluable. Within weeks, she found herself on set with Michelle Obama for a September 2008 cover shoot—just months before Barack Obama's historic presidential win. This opportunity, along with working on Serena Williams' cover, confirmed that Harriette had been right: Ebony offered rare access that wouldn't be available elsewhere, especially to someone just starting their career. Elaine's tenacity quickly made her indispensable. When her summer internship ended, she simply kept showing up, eventually changing her email signature from "Editorial Intern" to "Production Assistant." She organized the beauty closet, created call sheets, wrote content, and even negotiated a pay raise from $10 to $20 per hour—a bold move during the 2008 recession. The transition from Ebony to mainstream publishing proved challenging. After countless rejections where her experience at a Black publication was seemingly devalued by white hiring managers, she finally landed a beauty editor position at Glamour magazine through a connection with Holly Siegel. Moving to Glamour represented significant culture shock—from an all-Black, understaffed office where she handled entire sections alone to a predominantly white environment with entire departments dedicated to each task. The beauty closet alone was the size of her first Brooklyn apartment. She found herself navigating a world of Manhattan private school conversations and "Engagement Chicken" recipes—a stark contrast to Ebony's mission-driven work. At Glamour, Elaine mastered beauty editorials from a mainstream perspective while bringing her unique lens as a woman of color. When Holly left, Elaine was promoted to senior beauty editor, gaining more visibility in editorial meetings and representing the brand on television. Through this transition, she came to appreciate how her Ebony experience had uniquely prepared her for success. Far from being a "black hole" she needed to escape, her years at Ebony had given her an outsider perspective that proved invaluable—an understanding of beauty across different cultures and skin tones that many white beauty editors had never been required to learn. This period of Elaine's career revealed her remarkable ability to adapt while maintaining her authentic voice. She learned to code-switch between different professional environments without losing sight of her values and perspective. The skills she developed—navigating predominantly white spaces, translating between different cultural contexts, and bringing fresh viewpoints to traditional formats—would become essential to her later work transforming Teen Vogue. Most importantly, she was developing the confidence to trust her instincts even when they diverged from industry conventions, a quality that would eventually make her a revolutionary force in publishing.

Chapter 3: Making History at Teen Vogue

In 2012, Elaine received an unexpected email from Eva Chen, the beauty and health director of Teen Vogue, inviting her for coffee. During their meeting, Eva revealed she was leaving her position and thought Elaine would be perfect to replace her. Though initially hesitant due to her recent promotion at Glamour, Elaine eventually agreed to interview after learning that Cindi Leive, Glamour's editor-in-chief, had given her blessing. The interview with Amy Astley, Teen Vogue's founding editor-in-chief, went well, and Elaine was offered the position of beauty and health director, making her the first Black beauty director in Condé Nast's 107-year history. This historic appointment came with mixed emotions. While proud of breaking barriers, Elaine was troubled that such "firsts" were still occurring in 2012. The media headlines about her race made it clear that despite her qualifications and vision, her Blackness would always be part of the conversation. She realized that this position came with both a platform and a responsibility to represent communities that had been marginalized in mainstream media. As beauty director, Elaine began subtly shifting Teen Vogue's approach. She wrote personally about her natural hair journey, exploring how reclaiming one's natural texture can be a metaphor for embracing authentic identity. She advocated for more diverse models and pushed for coverage of topics like cultural appropriation that had previously been considered too controversial for teen magazines. By 2016, Elaine's influence had helped transform Teen Vogue's approach to diversity. The August issue featuring three Black models on the cover was celebrated as groundbreaking, and contrary to industry expectations that Black cover models wouldn't sell, it became the highest-selling issue that year. This success demonstrated that authentic representation wasn't just morally right but also commercially viable—a powerful argument in an industry driven by advertising dollars and newsstand sales. When Amy Astley was appointed editor-in-chief of Architectural Digest later that year, Anna Wintour made the bold decision to restructure Teen Vogue's leadership, creating a team of three with Elaine as editorial director. At 29, Elaine became the youngest person and only the second Black person to hold the title of editor-in-chief at a Condé Nast publication. This promotion coincided with one of the most divisive political climates in recent American history, following the 2016 presidential election. Under Elaine's leadership, Teen Vogue underwent a remarkable transformation. While maintaining its fashion and beauty coverage, the magazine expanded into politics, social justice, and activism. It published incisive articles on topics ranging from cultural appropriation to LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, and economic inequality. This editorial shift reflected Elaine's belief that young readers were hungry for substantive content that addressed the realities of their world. The magazine's evolution reached its zenith when Lauren Duca's article "Trump Is Gaslighting America" went viral, bringing unprecedented attention to Teen Vogue as a serious political voice. Almost overnight, the publication gained supporters like veteran journalist Dan Rather and saw its digital traffic skyrocket from 2 million to 12 million visitors. What made this transformation particularly remarkable was that it occurred during a time of industry-wide decline. While other teen publications were folding under the pressure of the digital revolution, Teen Vogue was gaining relevance and building a more engaged audience. By doubling down on a mission-driven approach in a politicized climate, the magazine became a case study in how legacy media brands could reinvent themselves to remain culturally significant.

Chapter 4: Redefining Beauty and Representation

Elaine's approach to beauty coverage at Teen Vogue represented a fundamental shift in how mainstream publications addressed issues of identity and appearance. Rather than treating beauty as merely superficial, she recognized its profound connection to self-worth, cultural heritage, and personal empowerment. This perspective was deeply informed by her own journey with her natural hair and the complex relationship many women of color have with beauty standards that have historically excluded them. Under her leadership, Teen Vogue began exploring beauty as a lens through which to examine deeper questions about race, gender, and representation. One of Elaine's most significant contributions was expanding the definition of beauty beyond the narrow Eurocentric standards that had dominated fashion magazines for decades. She deliberately featured models with diverse skin tones, hair textures, body types, and cultural backgrounds in editorial spreads that celebrated their uniqueness rather than trying to homogenize them. This wasn't just about tokenism or occasional "diversity issues"—it was about consistently presenting a more inclusive vision of beauty across all content. When Teen Vogue featured three Black models on its August 2016 cover, the issue became the year's best-seller, challenging the industry assumption that diverse covers wouldn't perform well commercially. Elaine also recognized the importance of who was behind the camera, not just in front of it. She insisted on hiring Black hair stylists for shoots featuring Black models, understanding that many white stylists lacked experience with natural hair textures. She advocated for photographers and makeup artists from underrepresented backgrounds, creating opportunities in an industry where access often depends on connections and privilege. These behind-the-scenes decisions were as revolutionary as the visible content, addressing structural inequities that had long shaped whose vision of beauty reached mainstream audiences. Beyond representation in images, Elaine transformed how Teen Vogue discussed beauty in its written content. She introduced conversations about cultural appropriation, examining how elements of Black and brown cultures were often commodified without proper attribution or respect. She published personal essays exploring the relationship between hair, identity, and self-acceptance, including her own story about embracing her natural texture. These narratives provided crucial validation for young readers navigating similar journeys, particularly those who rarely saw their experiences reflected in mainstream media. Perhaps most revolutionary was Elaine's refusal to separate beauty from politics. When a story about Senegalese twists sparked controversy on social media due to misunderstandings about the model's racial identity, Elaine addressed the issue directly in an open letter on TeenVogue.com. Rather than retreating from difficult conversations, she used them as opportunities to educate readers about the complex intersections of beauty, culture, and power. This approach acknowledged that beauty doesn't exist in a vacuum—it's shaped by historical contexts, power dynamics, and social movements. Through these editorial choices, Elaine fundamentally changed what a beauty director could be and do. She transformed a role that had traditionally focused on product recommendations and trend reports into a platform for cultural criticism and social commentary. By treating young readers as thoughtful individuals capable of engaging with complex issues, she elevated teen beauty content from superficial advice to meaningful dialogue about identity and representation. This legacy continues to influence how publications approach beauty coverage, with many now following Teen Vogue's lead in connecting personal appearance to broader social contexts.

Chapter 5: Leadership Beyond Boundaries

Elaine's leadership style at Teen Vogue defied conventional corporate hierarchies, offering an alternative model for how to guide organizations through periods of transformation. Rather than adopting the intimidating, autocratic approach often glorified in media portrayals of fashion editors, she cultivated an environment of collaboration and mutual respect. Her team members frequently described feeling empowered to bring their full selves to work and to contribute ideas that might have been dismissed in more traditional settings. This inclusive approach wasn't just about creating a pleasant workplace; it was strategically essential for a publication seeking to connect authentically with a diverse, socially conscious generation. As one of the few Black women in leadership at Condé Nast, Elaine faced unique challenges that shaped her management philosophy. She understood firsthand how isolating it could be to navigate predominantly white spaces without support or mentorship. This experience informed her commitment to creating opportunities for other underrepresented voices in media. She hired writers and editors from diverse backgrounds, not as tokens but as valuable contributors whose perspectives enhanced the publication's relevance and reach. When she brought on Lynette Nylander and Rajni Jacques as senior editors, she wasn't just diversifying the masthead; she was building a team capable of speaking authentically to experiences that mainstream media had long overlooked. Elaine's leadership extended beyond the confines of the office through her public advocacy for greater representation in media. She used her platform at industry events and on television to challenge the fashion world's homogeneity and to highlight the commercial viability of inclusive content. When the August 2016 issue featuring three Black models became Teen Vogue's best-seller that year, she leveraged this success to counter the persistent myth that diversity doesn't sell. By making the business case for inclusion alongside the moral one, she provided other executives with tangible evidence that representing a broader spectrum of humanity wasn't just the right thing to do—it was also smart strategy in an increasingly diverse marketplace. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Elaine's leadership was her ability to navigate corporate constraints while still pursuing a mission-driven vision. Working within Condé Nast, a company with deep traditions and established ways of operating, she found creative ways to push boundaries without alienating key stakeholders. She balanced commercial imperatives with cultural relevance, maintaining Teen Vogue's fashion and beauty coverage while expanding into politics and activism. This delicate balancing act required exceptional diplomatic skills and strategic thinking, particularly during a period of industry-wide disruption as print publications struggled to adapt to digital realities. The culmination of Elaine's leadership vision came with the inaugural Teen Vogue Summit in 2017, which brought together hundreds of young changemakers for an immersive experience featuring speakers like Hillary Clinton, Maxine Waters, and Ava DuVernay. This event transformed the magazine from a print product into a living community, creating space for meaningful dialogue between generations of activists and thought leaders. It represented a new model for how media brands could engage with their audiences beyond traditional formats, fostering connections that transcended the page or screen. Through her leadership at Teen Vogue, Elaine demonstrated that authentic representation isn't just about who appears on magazine covers but who makes decisions behind the scenes. By bringing her full self to her role—including her experiences navigating race, gender, and identity—she created media that reflected the complexity of her readers' lives rather than reducing them to consumers of beauty products. Her success proved that diverse leadership isn't just about checking boxes; it's about fundamentally transforming institutions to better serve a changing world.

Chapter 6: Courage to Transform and Transcend

By 2017, despite Teen Vogue's growing cultural relevance under her leadership, Elaine was experiencing the physical and emotional toll of her demanding role. She developed unusual symptoms—constant urges to urinate, significant weight loss, and visible trembling during meetings. When her doctor suggested these might be related to chronic stress and anxiety, Elaine was forced to confront the reality that she had been neglecting her wellbeing in pursuit of professional success. This physical breakdown reflected deeper patterns in her approach to work and life. Since childhood, she had been driven by perfectionism and a fear of failure, often pushing herself beyond reasonable limits. She had internalized the message that success required sacrifice, particularly as a Black woman who had to work twice as hard for equal respect. A turning point came when Elaine attended a panel discussion and heard academic Eve Ewing say, "There is no glory in a grind that literally grinds you down to dust." This statement resonated deeply, helping her recognize that her approach to work wasn't sustainable. Around this same time, Teen Vogue was facing major changes. Despite the brand's cultural relevance and growing audience, corporate decisions were leading toward closing the print magazine. Elaine found herself in the difficult position of fighting for the publication's future while also questioning her own. The stress culminated in her being bedridden with a high fever just days before the inaugural Teen Vogue Summit, an event she had worked tirelessly to create. During this period of vulnerability, Elaine received crucial guidance from unexpected sources. A dinner with CAA agent Christy Haubegger introduced the concept of distinguishing between "work" and "life's work," suggesting that true fulfillment comes from building a life around the latter. Later, a conversation with filmmaker Ava DuVernay provided clarity about her next steps. When Elaine shared her uncertainty about staying at Condé Nast, Ava challenged her to be "a little bit braver" and embrace the unknown. These conversations helped Elaine recognize that she had completed the mission she set out to accomplish at Teen Vogue. She had transformed the publication into a platform that made young people feel seen, centered, and celebrated—particularly those whose voices had been marginalized by mainstream media. In January 2018, Elaine made the difficult but liberating decision to resign from Condé Nast. This choice wasn't just about leaving a job; it was about reclaiming her agency and wellbeing after years of putting work above all else. It represented a breakthrough in her understanding that sometimes the bravest move is walking away from what no longer serves you, even when it's something you've worked hard to achieve. The courage to leap into the unknown came from recognizing that careers aren't linear journeys toward a single destination but series of chapters, each building on the last. After leaving Teen Vogue, Elaine expanded her platform through multiple channels. She became a judge on Project Runway, bringing her fashion expertise and commitment to diversity to television audiences. She published her memoir, which became a New York Times bestseller, sharing her journey and the lessons she learned along the way. Through speaking engagements, social media, and mentorship, she has continued to advocate for greater representation in media and to empower young people to use their voices for change. These diverse pursuits reflect her understanding that her mission transcends any single institution or role—it's about creating space for authentic representation across all media platforms. Elaine's decision to leave at the height of her success demonstrated remarkable courage and self-awareness. Rather than clinging to a prestigious title or the security of a established institution, she chose to follow her inner compass toward new forms of impact. This willingness to transform and transcend conventional career paths offers a powerful example for others navigating their own professional journeys, particularly those who feel constrained by traditional definitions of success or achievement. Her story reminds us that true fulfillment often requires the courage to redefine success on our own terms, even when that means stepping into uncertainty.

Chapter 7: Legacy of Authentic Leadership

Elaine Welteroth's impact extends far beyond the publications she helmed. Her leadership style—characterized by authenticity, inclusivity, and courage—has influenced a generation of media professionals and reshaped industry standards. By bringing her full self to her work, she demonstrated that success doesn't require conformity, especially for women of color in predominantly white spaces. Perhaps the most significant aspect of Elaine's legacy is how she redefined what leadership looks like in the fashion and media industries. Traditionally, these spaces have been dominated by a particular archetype—often white, often from privileged backgrounds, and often adhering to a hierarchical management style. Elaine offered an alternative model: a leader who listens as much as she directs, who values collaboration over competition, and who measures success not just by metrics like circulation numbers or advertising revenue but by meaningful cultural impact. Her approach to mentorship has been equally transformative. Throughout her career, Elaine has been intentional about creating opportunities for those coming up behind her, particularly young women of color. She understands firsthand the importance of having someone who believes in your potential, as Harriette Cole did for her early in her career. By openly discussing the challenges she faced as a "first" and an "only" in many spaces, she has helped demystify the path to success for those who might otherwise see it as inaccessible. This commitment to lifting as she climbs has multiplied her influence, creating a network of emerging leaders who share her values and vision. Elaine's influence can be seen in the increasing diversity of fashion and beauty coverage across all media platforms. The conversations she helped normalize—about cultural appropriation, colorism, body positivity, and the politics of beauty—have become mainstream. Publications that once featured exclusively white, thin models now regularly showcase a broader spectrum of beauty, and discussions about the ethical dimensions of fashion are no longer relegated to niche publications. While these changes can't be attributed to any single individual, Elaine's willingness to use her platform to challenge industry norms played a crucial role in accelerating this evolution. Beyond specific policy changes or hiring practices, Elaine's most enduring contribution may be the permission she gave to a generation of creative professionals to bring their authentic selves to their work. By refusing to compartmentalize her identity or separate style from substance, she created a model for integrating personal values with professional ambitions. This approach resonates particularly strongly with millennials and Gen Z, who increasingly seek careers that align with their beliefs and allow them to make a positive impact. Her example demonstrates that authenticity isn't just personally fulfilling—it can be a powerful catalyst for institutional change. As media continues to evolve in the digital age, Elaine's legacy offers valuable lessons about adaptability and vision. She succeeded not by clinging to traditional models but by reimagining what a fashion magazine could be and who it could serve. Her willingness to take risks—whether by publishing politically charged content or by amplifying voices that had previously been marginalized—demonstrated that innovation often requires challenging convention. In an industry struggling to remain relevant amid technological disruption, her leadership at Teen Vogue provided a case study in how legacy brands can reinvent themselves by embracing authenticity and purpose rather than chasing trends or clinging to outdated formulas.

Summary

Elaine Welteroth's journey from a biracial girl navigating the complexities of identity to a groundbreaking media executive embodies the transformative power of authentic leadership. Her career demonstrates that our perceived limitations—whether race, age, or background—can become our greatest strengths when embraced fully. By bringing her unique perspective as someone who existed "in the in-between" of racial categories to her work at Teen Vogue, she created a publication that reflected the multifaceted realities of young people's lives rather than reducing them to consumers of beauty products. Her willingness to address politics, social justice, and identity alongside fashion and beauty proved that young women could be interested in both style and substance—a recognition that has since influenced media far beyond her former publication. The core lesson of Elaine's story is that authentic representation matters not just in who appears on magazine covers but in who makes decisions behind the scenes. For anyone navigating spaces where they feel like an outsider, her path offers inspiration to view difference not as a disadvantage but as a source of insight and innovation. Her courage to walk away from achievement when it no longer served her purpose reminds us that success should be defined by impact and fulfillment rather than titles or institutional affiliation. In a media landscape that continues to struggle with relevance and representation, Elaine Welteroth's legacy demonstrates that creating meaningful change requires not just a seat at the table, but the courage to transform the table itself—and sometimes, the wisdom to build an entirely new one.

About Author

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Elaine Welteroth

Elaine Welteroth is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist and judge on the new Project Runway. She is known for her groundbreaking work at the helm of Teen Vogue where in 2017 she was appointed the youngest Editor-in-Chief at a Conde Nast publication. She’s now a leading expert and advocate for the next generation of change-makers. She was recently appointed Cultural Ambassador for Michelle Obama's When We All Vote initiative. She has written for the hit show Grown-ish and has appeared on-camera for a range of media outlets including ABC News and Netflix. Her debut book More Than Enough became an instant bestseller in 2019 and received an NAACP award in 2020.

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