RIZE, Washington University’s independent Black magazine, released its first issue of the semester, Saturday, Nov. 9 and the Student Life Editorial Board could not be more thrilled.

The magazine, which published its first-ever issue in February of this year, focuses on different aspects of the Black student experience. RIZE’s most recent issue features articles detailing the danger many Black students feel due to the increased campus police presence and the discrimination many students with natural hair experience in professional fields. As of now, the latest issue of RIZE is available online, but will be available in print at a later date.

The issue also showcases gorgeous poetry, profiles and visual art. As an independent student-run magazine, the team behind the magazine is poised to take their editorial voice in any direction. To do that, they require student support.

Supporting publications like RIZE requires not just reading the issue, but encouraging others to do the same. Currently, RIZE has a limited number of subscribers on Issuu, the digital publishing company they use. By subscribing, either to the email list or to RIZE’s Issuu account, students can easily stay up to date with the publication’s latest edition.

RIZE also has a GoFundMe to finance future issues. To those who have the means to donate, the Editorial Board encourages students, alumni, faculty and community members to give and help offset any publication costs so the magazine can continue to print physical copies.

A publication only makes a student or group of students’ voice heard if people read it. We encourage students to branch out and explore the many student publications available on campus. There is something for everyone—in addition to RIZE, Wash. U. students publish magazines such as the Washington University Political Review, Kairos, Simple Syrup and many more.

Student journalism and student publications are a critical way for Wash. U. students to hear and engage with different students’ points of view in order to learn about the peers with whom they share the campus. All students should be able to make their voices heard, and these publications are an excellent way to do so.