Rockford magazine promotes local business, health and wealth

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – Whether it’s building wealth or personal wellness, a magazine published by a Rockford entrepreneur is helping stateline residents get connected to valuable services and information.

“The publication is more so for the community to give them the resources that a lot of people don’t know about or haven’t tapped into,” said Shanequa Clark, who has been publishing Affected Magazine since 2022.

The free periodical focuses on wealth, health and community resources. The idea came to Clark in 2018.

“I was scrolling on Facebook because I just lost my job,” she said. “I seen a lot of business (owners) advertising their business, but I thought, ‘If I don’t follow you on social media, how do I know you exist?’”

That’s when she had a lightbulb moment.

“I am like, ‘Hmm, so let me just put everybody into one publication so you have one resource to have all this information—ho has the hottest product or the latest information that you’re looking for?’”

Articles on the pages of the latest issue of Affected cover things like entrepreneurship, fasting and financial planning. And while is it a print publication, the magazine also connects readers with service providers electronically.

“We have QR codes you can actually scan and go straight to their website or to whatever they’re advertising in the publication,” Clark said.

DiamondKeys Beauty Spa owner Diamond Edwards says Affected is a valuable tool because it’s a specialized publication for the entire community.

“For people just not knowing my business and other businesses that are just not known, and her giving this platform for other people I feel like is the best. And then, she’s not only reaching the Black community, she’s reaching all communities. So I feel that’s great.”

Affected is published quarterly for now. Clark hopes to make it a monthly next year. It is available at several local businesses and organizations, including Wired Café and the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.

More information about the magazine is at Affectdiamond.com .

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