Code Opens Magazine Niche For Black Men

There's a new men's magazine on the stands this month from Flynt Publications.

The premiere, 128-page issue of Code, with Samuel L. Jackson on the cover, offers fashion pages, literary fiction, essays and political commentary for men of color.

"Until now, there haven't been any images in the media that reflect black males to themselves," says Abbie Britton, Code's publications director. "In the world, not in the media, black men are multifaceted human beings, bankers who listen to hip-hop and homeboys who listen to Mozart."

A veteran of Conde Nast and Hearst, Britton helped launch Mirabella, American Marie Claire and Mode magazines. She was approached by Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Flynt Publications to produce a GQ for black men.

Britton says coverage may expand to include Latinos and Asian Americans.

Britton says Flynt will contribute $500,000 to each issue of Code so the editorial department can hire top writers, photographers and stylists.