Amy DuBoise Barnett On Manifesting Big Goals And Achieving Them
Amy DuBois Barnett has spent nearly 30 years deciding whose stories get told. As the editors-in-chief of Honey, Teen People, and Ebony, Amy led Black media into a whole new era. But after building iconic brands for Disney, Paramount, and Hearst, Amy has returned to her first love: storytelling through fiction. Her debut novel, If I Ruled the World, is already being hailed as a 2026 must-read, with a major television adaptation already in development at Hulu.
One of the most refreshing aspects of Amy’s current chapter is her refusal to subscribe to traditional timelines. In a society where social media creates major pressure to achieve everything by 30, Amy is making her debut as a novelist and TV writer in her 50s.
“Wherever you are is where you are,” she says.
She is adamant that women should stop measuring their progress against the highlight reels of others. For Amy, this moment isn’t just a new career, but a return to her original dream. Though she spent years as a corporate executive, she earned her MFA in creative writing in her 20s. Her story is a powerful testament that there is no delay when it comes to your desires. Your goals are always available to be accomplished.
Amy’s career is an excellent example of overcoming the stigma that women in leadership face. In the previously reported Women in the Workplace report, women, particularly women of color, are often overlooked. The research shows that for every 100 men promoted to manager, only 87 women (and 81 women of color) make that first step. Amy beat these odds by leading with a mix of creative vision and a relentless business mindset. For example, she redesigned the mission and logo of Ebony during her tenure.
Amy Dubois Barnett Uses Manifestation To Reach Her Goals
One of the most compelling parts of Amy’s journey is her focus on manifestation. For Amy, manifestation isn’t about vision boards.
“You know, for me it’s not like cutting pictures out of a magazine and putting ’em on a poster board. I mean, that may work for some people. That’s just not how I do it,” she stated during the episode. “I don’t think about, okay, what can I do to get to my goal, right? I think, who do I have to be? Like, what, who, how am I walking through the world in order to be the person that has this goal?”
She emphasizes that the universe doesn’t grant opportunities you don’t truly feel you deserve. This commitment, paired with a strong work ethic, is how she moved her manuscript from a 15-year shelf-life to a development deal with Lee Daniels.
Despite her massive wins, Amy is candid about the losses as well. She recalls a moment during the 2008 recession when a signed contract was pulled by a CEO before the ink was dry, leaving her without a job.
“It is not done until the ink is dry,” she warns.
These setbacks, however, became her motivation. By letting the failures inform her perspective, she returned to the industry stronger, wiser, and ready to rule the world.
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