CULTURE MAGAZINE

Leslie De La Rosa ’25 editor

What is your magazine’s mission?

Our mission is to highlight the vital components of the Black, Brown, and Asian communities across campus. These components are defined by the culturally embedded perspective of our shared historical experiences and include a distinct artistic expression, nuanced academic pursuits, and culturally guided intellectual engagements. As an outlet for news, knowledge, art, and entertainment, Culture seeks to empower these communities by supplying a reminder of the core cultural narratives that distinguish us as unique and powerful.

Describe your production process. Culture Magazine is the only publication at Hamilton created by students of color for students of color. Our executive board collaborates with other clubs on campus to produce our issues. We decide on a specific theme or vision, and our photoshoots, sub - mitted work, and aesthetic vision are all based on that particular theme. To reach our minority student community, we send campus-wide emails encouraging them to take part. A magazine requires extensive planning that begins months in advance. Because of the community we’ve established and how effective our team’s communication has been, that journey has turned out really nicely.

What do you hope readers come away with?

We provide an atmosphere where students of color can submit their work or apply to join our general board. We provide a setting where both outgoing and introverted students can feel comfortable. Culture is a space without judgment for existing and incoming students of color — where thoughts are valued and regularly exchanged. Being a student of color, going to a school with a demanding curriculum, maybe having three or more jobs, and having no voice are all realities that one must deal with on this campus. Culture provides a sense of safety and community, which fosters leadership and self-assurance so that people may walk around campus with pride while appreciating their uniqueness and cultural heritage.

What have you learned from working with Culture?

I am a theatre major. In order to become a professor and pass on what I learn, it is my ambition to travel the world and study theatre. I knew I wanted someplace to feel included, and, after learning what Culture was, I also wanted other students of color on campus to feel that way. Through theatre classes, I have come to understand that it is crucial to have a supportive community, team, and family. I have performed on campus numerous times for mainstage musical performances and Culture events, and every time, the community’s support remained constant. Being a part of Culture has taught me that nothing is simple. Although the battle is quite difficult, the victory is well worth it. n