Cherokee Inc., a Van Nuys-based marketing and licensing company, has inked a deal to represent ESSENCE magazine in developing licensing opportunities for the magazine brand. ESSENCE, a 35-year-old publication with more than 7 million readers, targets African-American women with lifestyle articles about relationships, finance, careers and beauty. Cherokee will develop a range of products designed for African-Americans under the agreement. “We are pleased to partner with Cherokee, who has a proven track record of success in placing top brands with major retailers,” said Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications.