We want your voice, your perspective and your story. Have a story, idea or pitch worth sharing? We want to hear it.
The HotJem is a publication for the modern diaspora, covering the culture, conversations, experiences and ideas shaping how we live, work and connect today. We welcome original contributions from people with something interesting, relevant or thought-provoking to say.
Have a completed article or an idea you think would make a great THJ story or pitch? Send it our way. If you think it’s a fit for The HotJem, we want to hear from you.
We’re interested in stories and perspectives that fit the world of The HotJem and speak to the interests and experiences of our audience.
Click on a topic below to see the kinds of stories we’re looking for.
Culture is at the heart of The HotJem. We’re interested in the ideas, traditions, experiences and conversations shaping how people understand themselves, their communities and the world around them.
Possible topics: Culture and identity, diaspora life, belonging, generational perspectives, traditions, cultural change, community, social conversations and the ways different cultures influence one another.
The things we do, experience and care about every day.
Possible topics: Travel, food & drinks, health & wellness, relationships, everyday experiences, personal interests, life transitions and the choices that shape modern life.
We cover the entertainment and sporting worlds that our audience follows and cares about.
Possible topics: Music, movies & TV, celebrities, pop culture, sports, reviews, profiles, interviews, entertainment news, sporting events, athletes and the business and culture surrounding entertainment and sport.
Style is more than what we wear. It’s how we express ourselves.
Possible topics: African fashion, street style, men’s style, beauty, fashion trends, personal style, designers, emerging creatives and the relationship between fashion, culture and identity.
We’re interested in how people build, earn, manage and think about money, as well as the businesses, ideas and opportunities shaping economies and communities.
Possible topics: Business, entrepreneurship, money, investing, saving, earning, side gigs, freelancing, remote work, financial independence, African businesses, emerging markets, economic trends and opportunities.
Technology is changing how we work, communicate, create, make money and experience the world.
Possible topics: AI, digital culture, social media, apps, emerging technology, tech businesses, digital tools, innovation and the impact of technology on everyday life.
Have something to say? We welcome thoughtful perspectives on issues, trends and conversations relevant to our audience.
A strong opinion piece should have a clear point of view and give readers something to consider and not simply repeat what everyone else is saying.
We cover news and developments that matter to our audience, particularly stories connected to Africa, the diaspora and the wider world.
We’re interested in more than simply reporting what happened. A strong submission can help readers understand why something matters, what it means and how it connects to our audience and is relevant to them.
Possible topics: Current events, social developments, major developments affecting communities, explainers, analysis and stories with a clear connection to our audience.
Sometimes the most interesting stories are the ones we’ve lived ourselves. We’re interested in personal experiences that offer a compelling perspective, reveal something about modern life or give readers a reason to see something differently.
Possible topics: Life experiences, moving between cultures, relationships, career or financial journeys, identity, personal growth, travel experiences and unexpected moments.
Have an idea that doesn’t fit neatly into one category? Tell us about it anyway. Our categories are here to give you a sense of what we cover, not to limit a genuinely good idea.
The topic is only part of the equation. We’re looking for stories that are interesting, relevant and meaningful to our audience and that fit the broader perspective of The HotJem. That doesn’t mean every story has to be specifically about Africa, the African diaspora or black community.
We also look at stories, people, ideas and developments from around the world when there is a meaningful connection to our audience or a broader conversation worth bringing to them. Think about the story, not just the subject: Why would someone who reads The HotJem care? What does the story tell us, reveal, challenge, explain or make us think about? That’s what we’re interested in.
Before submitting an article or pitch, please review our Editorial Guidelines. They explain what we look for, our editorial standards and what you should know before submitting your work.
If you have an idea that doesn’t fit neatly into one of these categories or you have a question about contributing that isn’t answered in our Editorial Guidelines, contact our editorial team at: editorial@thehotjem.com