Latina Editor Leaving BET After 3 Months
Mimi Valdés discussed the state of Latina magazine with Fox News in 2009. By Richard Prince, Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education WASHINGTON - Mimi Valdés, former editor of Vibe and Latina magazines, is leaving Black Entertainment Television after only three months, a BET spokeswoman confirmed for Journal-isms on Wednesday. Valdés is BET's vice president for content, supervising BET.com, the most widely viewed Internet site catering to African Americans. "Mimi Valdés will be leaving BET Networks and we wish her the best in her future endeavors," spokeswoman Jeanine Liburd said. Valdés is leaving next week, she said. Liburd said "the decision was mutually agreed upon" and added, "We respect the privacy of all our employees and have no additional details to provide." Valdés did not respond to messages. Probationary periods often last three months. Valdés was hired in May after BET laid off six people from its Web operation, including Executive EditorTanu Henry. She had spent two years in the top editorial job at Latina, the nation's largest English-language magazine targeting Hispanics, before leaving that publication in May. An announcement then said she was leaving "to pursue new opportunities." In January, Valdés had become co-founder of K!dult, a teen-targeted website from Pharrell Williams, the hip-hop recording artist, producer and musician.
