By Antonio R. Harvey | OBSERVER STAFF WRITER

If a person looks beyond the fact that Kenya Jordana James started her first business in the third grade, launched her own magazine and aspires to become an obstetrician, they will find an advanced 13-year-old who is a valuable product of her own environment.

Kenya J. James is the founder and editor of Blackgirl Magazine. The Atlanta-based publication is designed to enlighten, inspire and entertain teens across the globe.

Sponsored by the California Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Pacific Gas and Electric, James was the keynote speaker at the 2003 Juneteenth Community Recognition Luncheon held recently at the Grand Ballroom in downtown Sacramento.

James is the founder, publisher and editorial director of Blackgirl Magazine, a publication that is emerging as an important voice for a segment of the population often overlooked and misunderstood.

"The most rewarding act of my work is to provide a creative outlook for my generation. And to be able to document and define the African American community through the eyes of young people," James said about her magazine at the luncheon.

Blackgirl Magazine and its youthful staff provide information that not only entertains, but also empowers the young female generation. Blackgirl focuses on promoting positive messages and imagery among African American teens, while offering insightful coverage of history, culture, lifestyle, and entertainment news from a unique perspective.

"I own and publish Blackgirl Magazine," James said. "However, the magazine is run by a staff of young people who writes, creates, lays out, takes pictures and designs the publication."

Noted for its exclusive profiles of newsmakers of the day, Blackgirl has featured singers Lauryn Hill, B2K, India.Arie, Monica, Mario, Jill Scott and tennis icons Venus and Serena Williams. The Atlanta-based publication also offers insightful coverage of issues such as teen prostitution, lynching and the tragedy of Topeka, Kan., Black Wall Street.

Born July 23, 1989, James has been featured on the "Oprah Winfrey Show," "Tom Joyner," Essence Magazine, "106 & Park," "Teen Summit" and many local newspapers and radio stations across the nation. Recently, Black Enterprise magazine named James Teen Entrepreneur of the Year.

James also developed a compelling piece on Madame C.J. Walker, the nation's first African American female millionaire and hair care specialist.

James' teen entreprenuership is expanding in epic proportions. And the professional way she handles success is derived from the comfort of her family.

Her mother, marketing entrepreneur Karen Mason, and her great-grandfather Emmanuel Parker, encouraged James to pursue her interests at the highest level. But she never dreamed that her pursuit would lead to a national recognition.

"Did I know it was going to be manifested in this way?" Mason said of her daughter's accomplishments. "No I didn't know. I'm certainly not God and I cannot predict the future. But I do know that Kenya, from a very young age, has been taught to appreciate who she is, who her people are and their role in world civilization. I would like to see Kenya continue in the path that she is going. And that is to never forget who she is and never forget the great contributions that her race has made in the world."

Mason reflected on the importance of parenting through a discussion she had with Aubry Stone, the executive director of the California Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Mason and Stone talked about how James has benefited from the guidance provided by her inner circle.

"We got to have an anchor in our life," Mason said of the chat she had with Stone. "We have to anchor our children. So what we continue to try to do is make sure Kenya has that anchor no matter what she decides to do."

Since James' business is surging and she speaks around the country, Mason decided to homeschool her daughter. James also pointed out another factor in her mother's decision to teach at home.

"She felt that I wasn't being challenged enough," James said. "So she took me out of the requirement school to challenge me more."

James said she knows there are other challenges - whether they come from her family or community - looming in the air. Whatever she faces in the future, she will not forget the environment that nurtured her academic and social skills.

"I was surrounded by people who cared," James said.

For more information and subscriptions to Blackgirl Magazine, go to blackgirlmagazine.com or write to Kenya James at editor@blackgirlmagazine.com.