Following O Magazine’s monumental cover with Breonna Taylor, the long-standing Conde Nast glossy tapped iconic Black artist Amy Sherald (previously best known for her portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama) to paint a portrait of Taylor
Author/Journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates guest-edits the September issue of Vanity Fair — typically their Fall Fashion Issue, of whom the cover star is 26-year-old slain emergency room tech Breonna Taylor.
Over five months ago, worldwide outcry erupted when a little after midnight three police entered the home of Breonna Taylor and her boyfriend and opened fire without identifying themselves.
Taylor, a Louisville native, was shot 8 times, and cried out for help until dying.
The cover story, ‘A Beautiful Life,’ was penned by Coates and chronicles Taylor’s life as told to him by Tamika Palmer (her mother).
The social justice and race issue, was curated by Coates, and features essays and photos on activism, art and power. It’s being called, “The Great Fire” issue.
Famed Photographer LaToya Ruby Frazier traveled to Louisville to photograph Taylor’s family and boyfriend in a series of images to go with Coates’ story — one photo, in particular is said to feature her boyfriend with an engagement ring he never got to give her.
“I wanted this image to stand as a piece of inspiration to keep fighting for justice for her. When I look at the dress, it kind of reminds me of Lady Justice,” Sherald said of her portrait.
To date, no arrests have been made in the murder of Breonna Taylor.