A magazine club on campus that focuses on uplifting BIPOC voices, fashion and culture is working toward publishing its second issue during spring quarter.

Co-editor-in-chiefs Ijomi Houston and Aryam Tamene began planning Soleil Magazine during spring quarter 2025 after being awarded a $5,250 grant through the Sustainability, Equity, & Justice Fund to help offset startup costs associated with publishing its first issue.

Soleil Magazine is a club within the Ethnic Student Center that began as a response to the 2024 presidential election, Houston said.

“We felt really hopeless and we wanted something to hold on to – to pour our creativity into,” they said. 

The first issue, titled Arcane Opulance, was released in October, 2025. This edition highlights beauty trends created by BIPOC – something often not correctly credited and overlooked, Houston explained. Arcane Opulance is found through on-campus tabling events or can be ordered by direct messaging Soleil’s Instagram page.

Photoshoots for this issue developed in spring and summer, Houston said. One photoshoot took place in JJ’s In and Out, a local corner store downtown. They took inspiration from the lighting in the store and took photos with typical gas station snacks and drinks as the background. 

Soleil’s first issue had two versions of their cover. One was a photo from the photoshoot at JJ’s In and Out and the other featured photos from a Y2K, teen magic-inspired shoot. This 2000s vibe was the “pinnacle of the first issue,” Houston said. 

The magazine includes written works, theme-based photography and features questions answered by writers from the team. Art and writing submissions were open for this first issue, but since it was their first quarter as a club, the written works were mostly by Houston, they said. Submissions will open for their next issue as well. 

Devin Green, the writing and editing director, is a journalism student at Western. He explained that editing pieces for Soleil has givenhim a lot of needed experience for the major. 

“Soleil gave me an opportunity to get experience managing a team of writers early in my post-secondary education,” Green said. “I am grateful to Arayam and Ijomi for trusting a kid who didn’t have a lot of experience and giving me a chance.”

Green said that his time taking Advanced Reportingwith Professor Brian J. Bowe gave him tools for working on a deadline, which helped him immensely with editing for Soleil.

Now, Soleil is focusing on building a strong director team. Applications are open for graphics editor, creative directors, finance and they have all of their creative teams open for rolling applicants. Teams include writing, editing, graphic design, social media and PR, styling, photography and videography. Students can also join the “noncommital team,” where help is given for tabling, being part of shoot crew, passing out flyers and other odd jobs, according to Soleil Magazine’s Instagram page.

“If you don’t want to be the director of anything, join our teams,” Houston said. “Anyone can join – we are open to all,” Houston said. 

Their next issue is set to come out in May, 2026. Houston said their team is planning on another release party for the next issue, this time at Lakewood, Western’s waterfront facility on Lake Whatcom. This release party will be at a larger scale with food trucks from local businesses, Houston said. 

“Tapping into creativity and watching it come into fruition,” is Houston’s favorite part of working for the magazine. “I had a moment of watching our visions come onto paper and I think that’s the coolest part.” 

Soleil Magazine is always looking for students to join their team and bring their creativity to life. Outside of The Front, Klipsun and The Planet, journalism students can write for Soleil to get more of their work published. To learn more, follow their Instagram page @Soleil.Mag444