IMARA Woman Magazine was founded in 2000 by husband and wife entrepreneurs Paul and Wendy Brawley. Their vision for the lifestyle and personal-growth magazine was to highlight the achievements of people of color in South Carolina. The inspirational stories and personal profiles in IMARA Woman Magazine encourage others to reach their God given potential. The mission of IMARA Woman Magazine is to be a source of inspiration and information on issues of health, professional development, education, business and family. IMARA is a Swahili word that means powerful and strong. The title IMARA encompasses the magazine’s mission while connecting its readers to their African ancestry. In 2010, the publication formed a non-profit, the IMARA Community Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) 3, which provides scholarships to college students attending historically black colleges and universities in South Carolina and supports homeless shelters for women with children.
In 2009, IMARA Woman Magazine launched its television show. The IMARA show was originally aired on The CW television station in the Midlands of South Carolina. Today, the show currently airs in the Midlands and Pee Dee regions of South Carolina and is also viewable online on this website.
The Brawleys started the publication to give back to their community and IMARA Woman Magazine is doing that for its readers in South Carolina and beyond.