Angela H. Brown, the longtime publisher of Salt Lake UnderGround (SLUG) Magazine and executive director of the nonprofit Craft Lake City, has spent decades cultivating Utah's alternative arts scene through media expansion and community-focused entrepreneurship. Since taking leadership of the magazine in 2001, Brown has transitioned the publication from a legacy print format to a digital-integrated platform reaching tens of thousands of readers monthly.
Expanding SLUG Magazine's reach
Brown's tenure as publisher began in September 2001, when she took over the publication after working for the magazine since 1997. Originally hired to shoot a cover as a freelance photojournalist, Brown initially intended to run the magazine for only five years. However, she remained at the helm for over two decades, overseeing significant expansions including the launch of the website slugmag.com and the bi-weekly podcast, Soundwaves.
A mission for subculture
Under Brown's leadership, the magazine has maintained its mission to amplify Salt Lake City’s alternative and underrepresented music, arts, lifestyle, and events subcultures. The publication's combined digital and print circulation reaches over 65,000 readers each month, according to Craft Lake City. Brown noted that her goal was to transform the legacy publication into a modern format while creating a "safe creative space."
Supporting Utah artisans
In 2009, Brown founded Craft Lake City, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization designed to showcase Utah's handmade community. The organization manages the annual Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Festival, a three-day event that attracts more than 20,000 attendees and features over 250 local artisans, 50 performers across two stages, and a STEM building. Brown has also overseen the launch of the Annual Craft Lake City Holiday Market, which debuted on December 7 at The Monarch in Ogden.
Entrepreneurial beginnings
Brown described the early years of both SLUG and Craft Lake City as periods of bootstrapping, which helped develop her budgeting skills. She noted that for the first seven years of Craft Lake City, the organization operated largely on a volunteer basis. The nonprofit now provides monthly workshops to foster education and teaching skills for Utah artisans, helping them transition into entrepreneurs.
Foundations in photography
Brown's professional path was shaped by her education at Salt Lake Community College, where she studied photography. She utilized the college's state-of-the-art darkroom to pursue her passion, an interest that began before the widespread adoption of digital photography. The shift toward digital technology eventually encouraged Brown to expand her skills into publishing and writing to ensure her photojournalism career remained marketable.
Professional recognition
Brown has received various professional honors, including the Josephine Zimmerman Pioneer in Journalism Award from Utah's chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2018, she was recognized as a Distinguished Alum from Salt Lake Community College, and in 2019, Utah Business Magazine named her one of its "30 Women To Watch." Currently, she serves as the Chair of the SLC Corporation Business Advisory Board for the Salt Lake City Council and Mayor.
Personal and professional growth
Brown has been open about the personal challenges faced during her career, including growing up in a strict LDS household where her family's values differed from her own. She also spoke of the difficulties of being a young female entrepreneur and the financial pressures of maintaining expensive photography hobbies through freelance work. As a matter of professional philosophy, she emphasizes "over-communication," a core value she shares with her staff at both organizations.
