To answer your question, from a Black woman's point of view, Essence Magazine, in my opinion is one of the most positively influential magazine for young Black women and girls. They feature beautiful Black models that are from a host of backgrounds and who have a variety of skin tones and hair textures. I have been an avid reader of Essence since I was a little girl and my mother has subscribed to Essence all if her life.
I have noticed a lot of people, mainly Whites, who ask why the need for magazines that feautre Black models, using the same thought pattern as some people who ask why the need for Black sororities, fraternities, orgs, etc. when there is no longer forced segregation or the blatant overlooking of Black women and people in mainstream media. Well my response to that, with regard to the modeling industry and particularly magazines, and I guess in light of what Taualumna mentioned about her not caring what ethnicity the model is, is that for some, if not many, it does matter. For most of American history Black women largley were not placed in magazines to model or be what American women were to look at as beautiful, with the exception of some scattered features like Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horn, Dianne Carrol and the like. It DOES do something to the psyche of young women when you don't really see yourself in your own society featured as beautiful.
Now, this is my opinion and I am sure there may be some Black women who are very confident who may not share my view. I also am not saying that I am not confident or that my confidence level is determined by what mainstream America forces down peoples' throats as what is acceptable, beautiful, etc. I am simply answering your question as a Black woman having grown up identifying with the things you mentioned in your question. I do think its great that you are attempting to gain insight into this portion of society and wish you luck as you work with young people.
Here is a link to the Essence website.
http://www.essence.com/essence/
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