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54-626: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. ( JPC ) was an American publishing company founded in November 1942 by African-American businessman John H. Johnson . It was headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. JPC was privately held and run by Johnson until his death in 2005. His publications "forever changed the popular representation of African Americans." The writing portrayed African Americans as they saw themselves and its photojournalism made history. Led by its flagship publication, Ebony , Johnson Publishing

108-426: A $ 500 loan that was secured with his mother's furniture, Johnson mailed $ 2 charter subscription offers to members who had life insurance through Supreme Life. In return, he received more than 3,000 completed subscription offers and with that money he printed his first publication, Negro Digest , in November 1942. By mid-1943, the monthly circulation of Negro Digest had reached 50,000 copies. 820 S. Michigan Avenue,

162-538: A $ 500 loan. He used this loan to publish the first edition of Negro Digest in 1942. Johnson had a problem with distribution until he teamed up with Joseph Levy, a magazine distributor who was impressed with him. Levy provided valuable marketing tips and opened the doors that allowed the new digest to reach newsstands in other urban centers. Within six months circulation had reached 50,000. This publication covered African-American history, literature, arts, and cultural issues. After several decades of publication its name

216-656: A Black boy from Arkansas it could happen to anyone". In 1995, Johnson received the Communication Award on the occasion of Ebony magazine's 50th anniversary. Alfred C. Sykes, chairman of the Center for Communication, and president of Hearst Media Technology , said| "Mr. Johnson is a role model for many young people today, an example of how hard work, commitment and belief in oneself can lead to outstanding achievement. He rose from disadvantaged circumstances to achieve success in both business and national service during

270-674: A Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding. Johnson received numerous honors and awards for his achievements, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 's Spingarn Medal in 1966 for his contributions in the area of race relations. In 1951, he was the first African American to be selected as Young Man of the Year by the United States Chamber of Commerce . In 1972, he was named publisher of

324-556: A book division, which published books such as The New Ebony Cookbook and the more controversial Forced into Glory: Abraham Lincoln's White Dream . The company produced the film The Secret of Selling the Negro Market , which was released in 1954. The film was designed to encourage advertisers to promote their products and services in the African-American media. The company produced Ebony/Jet Celebrity Showcase ,

378-514: A business of his own. Once the idea of Negro Digest occurred to him, it began to seem like a "black gold mine", Johnson stated in his autobiography Succeeding against the Odds . He remained enthusiastic even though he was discouraged on all sides from doing so. Only his mother, a woman with biblical faith and deep religious convictions, as well as a powerful belief in her son, supported his vision and allowed him to use her furniture as collateral for

432-614: A circulation of 2,300,000 and was the primary reason that Johnson was considered one of the 400 richest individuals in the United States. One of Johnson's most notable issues of Jet was the September 15, 1955 issue in which he published a picture of a Chicago–youth Emmett Till 's mutilated body after it had arrived in Chicago from Mississippi. People considered Johnson's decision to publish Till's photograph his greatest moment. Michigan congressman Charles Diggs recalled that given

486-513: A city landmark. Shortly thereafter, 3L Real Estate, a developer that specializes in the repurposing of classic real estate, bought the former headquarters from Columbia College Chicago and converted the office space into 150 rental apartments. The iconic, psychedelic Ebony Test Kitchen, used by the magazine's food editors to test recipes, was donated by 3L Real Estate to Landmarks Illinois which in turn transferred it to New York's Museum of Food and Drink . The original Ebony/Jet sign that sits atop

540-922: A consortium of foundations led by the J. Paul Getty Trust , with co-purchasers the Ford Foundation , the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation . The archives will go to the Getty Research Institute and the National Museum of African American History and Culture to be made digitally available to the public. As of 2022, more than 4-million items have been undergoing cataloging and conservation in Chicago by archivist Steven Booth, and were being lent out for programs and exhibitions. In January 2020 Johnson Publishing Company auctioned its art collection,

594-539: A member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Chicago-based Theta chapter, in 1937. On August 8, 2005, Johnson died of congestive heart failure. At the time of his death, Johnson was survived by his wife, daughter Linda Johnson-Rice and a granddaughter. His son, John Jr. died in December 1981 after a long battle with an illness related to sickle cell at age 25. Following his death, a public viewing of his body

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648-417: A monthly digest of newspaper articles, with help from his publisher, "Madam DuBois." Johnson began to wonder if other people in the community might not enjoy the same type of service. He conceived of a publication patterned after Reader's Digest . His work at Supreme Life also gave him the opportunity to see the day-to-day operations of a business owned by an African American and fostered his dream of starting

702-416: A new publisher called Ebony Media Corp. The specialty cosmetics business and fashion publications were retained by Johnson. On April 9, 2019, the company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Chicago, Illinois. The company's number of creditors was listed between 200 and 999. The assets and liabilities were between $ 10 million and $ 50 million. The company released

756-534: A spinoff television show from the two magazines. The show debuted on August 1, 1982. It was eventually pulled off the air because John H. Johnson was dissatisfied with the quality of the guests. Ebony/Jet Showcase , a weekly, nationally syndicated TV show hosted by Greg Gumbel and Deborah Crable debuted in September 1985. By the show's third year in 1987, it was the only Black-syndicated program to reach 92 percent of Black U.S. television households and 73 percent of U.S. television households, strengthening its position as

810-431: A statement about the bankruptcy filling: This decision was not easy, nor should it have been. Johnson Publishing Company is an iconic part of American and African American history since our founding in 1942, and the company's impact on society cannot be overstated. On April 22, 2019, Mellody Hobson , president of Chicago-based Ariel Investments , and her husband, film maker George Lucas , petitioned to take possession of

864-621: A time when great obstacles were placed in his path." Because of his influential position in the African-American community, Johnson was invited by the US government to participate in several international missions. In 1959, he accompanied the vice president of the United States on a mission to Russia and Poland . He was appointed special ambassador to represent the United States at the independence ceremonies in Côte d'Ivoire in 1961 and in Kenya in 1963. Over

918-646: A way to pay for expenses other than tuition. Because of his achievements in high school, Johnson was invited to speak at a dinner held by the Urban League . When Harry Pace , president of the Supreme Life Insurance Company, heard Johnson's speech, he was so impressed with the young man that he offered Johnson a job so that he would be able to use the scholarship. Johnson began as an office boy at Supreme Life and within two years had become Pace's assistant. His duties included preparing

972-471: The Ebony photo archives. They stated that the collection had been used as collateral for a $ 12 million loan that Johnson Publishing received from Capital Holdings V, which is owned by Hobson and Lucas, in 2015. In July 2019 as part of the bankruptcy proceedings, the more than 4 million item Ebony and Jet archives were auctioned off in Chicago. Winning the week-long auction was the $ 30 million bid by

1026-648: The Noble Network of Charter Schools and Chicago Public Schools opened Johnson College Prep High School , a public charter high school in Chicago Illinois' Englewood neighborhood in honor of Johnson and his wife Eunice. On January 31, 2012, the United States Postal Service honored John H. Johnson with a commemorative stamp as the newest addition to its Black Heritage Series. The School of Communications at Howard University

1080-535: The 820 S. Michigan Avenue headquarters ran from June 28, 2018, until September 30, 2018. In 2018, An exhibition called The Black Image Corporation featured photos from the company's archives. The exhibition, which was held at the Martin-Gropius-Bau in Berlin , ran from 2018 until July 28, 2019. In 2020, the educational charity consortium which obtained the historic photo archives during the dissolution of

1134-545: The Johnson Publishing Company sign with logo and flagship magazine names would remain located atop the building. In March 2015, the company offered the Ebony / Jet photo archives spanning more than 70 years, for sale to reduce the company's debt. In June 2016, the company announced the sale of Ebony and Jet magazines. The buyer, Clear View Group, a private equity firm based in Austin, Texas , created

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1188-908: The Johnson Publishing Company's Michigan Avenue building in 2010. John H. Johnson Johnson was born in Arkansas City , Arkansas. His family moved to Chicago at the time of the 1933 Chicago World's Fair , during the Great Migration of African Americans out of the South. Johnson endured much teasing and taunting at his high school for his ragged clothes and country ways, as he encountered something he never knew existed: middle-class blacks. Johnson later transferred to DuSable High School for his junior and senior years. His classmates at DuSable included Nat King Cole and Redd Foxx . This only fueled his already formidable determination to "make something of himself". Johnson's high-school career

1242-578: The No. 1 Black-oriented interview and entertainment show. The last episode of the program aired in October 1993. For over 40 years beginning in 1958, The company hosted the Ebony Fashion Fair , a traveling fashion show started by Eunice W. Johnson . The show raised money for scholarships and charities in cities across the United States and Canada. The fashion fair held its last show in 2009 due to

1296-594: The United States, Canada and the Caribbean . Johnson Publishing also has a book division which employed more than 2,600 people, with sales of over $ 388 million. Johnson purchased three radio stations , started a book publishing company, and a television production company , and served on the board of directors of several major businesses, including the Greyhound Corporation . In 2019, the remaining assets of Johnson Publishing Company were sold as part of

1350-442: The building has been preserved and serves both as a welcome sign from the air and an anchor for the rooftop deck with sweeping views of Grant Park , Lake Michigan and Chicago's Museum Campus. 3L Real Estate CEO Joe Slezak said it was important to maintain original features when possible and worked with interior designer Elizabeth Watters to keep subtle reminders of the initial decor designed by Arthur Elrod and William Raiser. "From

1404-506: The company's 76-year run. The historic Ebony / Jet photo archives, which JPC retained after the sale of its Ebony and Jet magazines, were sold in July 2019 for $ 30 million to a group of art and educational foundations to make them available to the public. Johnson Publishing Company was founded in 1942 by John Harold Johnson, who was working as an office clerk for Chicago-based Supreme Life Insurance Company of America. Using money from

1458-618: The company's CEO in 2003. The Johnson Publishing Company hired a number of notable photographers, including Bryan Berteaux . Johnson once stated, "I wasn't trying to make history, I was trying to make money." According to media historian Brenna Wynn Greer, he managed to do both. His publications both filled a niche in the market and "forever changed the popular representation of African Americans." It portrayed African Americans as they saw themselves. Its photographs created for photojournalism made history. In 1942, The company published their first magazine, Negro Digest . Negro Digest , which

1512-793: The company, appointed an advisory committee, headed by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden . The committee will oversee their organization and availability to the public. In 2024, the Rebuild Foundation opened an exhibition, " Theaster Gates : When Clouds Roll Away: Reflection and Restoration from the Johnson Archive" at the Stony Island Arts Bank. Scheduled to run into March, 2025, the exhibition combines original work by Gates, Kerry James Marshall , Ellsworth Kelly , Barkley Hendricks and others with furnishings, decor, and archival materials that Gates salvaged from

1566-664: The date for the holiday because that was the date the first issue of Ebony was published. Bryan Berteaux Bryan Stephen Berteaux Sr. (April 11, 1945 – April 17, 2020) was an African-American news photographer. He worked as a combat photographer for the United States Army and later as a photographer for The Times-Picayune . Berteaux was born in New Orleans , Louisiana, in 1945. He received an associate's degree from Delgado Community College and studied photography at Tulane University . In 1965, Berteaux

1620-600: The distinction of having been the first African American placed on Forbes' list of 400 wealthiest Americans. He was also awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff , Harvard University , the University of Southern California , Carnegie Mellon University , Eastern Michigan University , and Wayne State University . Johnson served on the boards of directors of Dillard's Inc. ; First Commercial Bank, Little Rock; Dial Corporation ; Zenith Radio Corporation ; and Chrysler Corporation . Johnson became

1674-593: The emotion the image stimulated, it was "probably one of the greatest media products in the last 40 or 50 years". In addition, Johnson Publishing owned Fashion Fair Cosmetics (the world's number one makeup and skin care company for women of color), and Supreme Beauty products (hair care for men and women), and was involved in television production and produced the Ebony Fashion Fair (the world's largest traveling fashion show), which has donated over $ 47 million to charity. The show visited more than 200 cities in

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1728-426: The end of 1980. Johnson's family held roles within the company. His wife, Eunice W. Johnson , was the founder, secretary, treasurer, and director of the Ebony Fashion Fair. His son, John H. Johnson Jr., served as a staff photographer for both Ebony and Jet magazines from 1975 until his death in December 1981. Johnson's daughter Linda Johnson Rice served as fashion coordinator of the Ebony Fashion Fair before becoming

1782-413: The iconic building constructed for the Johnson Publishing Company, publishers of Ebony and Jet magazines, was designed by John Moutoussamy , and was the first African-American-owned building in Chicago's downtown area. It remains the only Chicago high-rise to be designed by an African American. Johnson Publishing had several locations throughout its history. The first headquarters from 1942 until 1943,

1836-700: The illness and later death of Johnson. In addition, Johnson Publishing produces a line of cosmetics marketed to women of color. Named Fashion Fair Cosmetics, the line was founded in 1973 and was formerly available in over 2,500 stores worldwide. A United Kingdom creditor petitioned a judge to force the company to sell its Fashion Fair Cosmetics UK assets in April 2019. In 2022, FFC was relaunched in over 250 Sephora stores, as well as online. Johnson Publishing Company purchased WGRT radio station in May 1973 for $ 1.8 million from Atlass Communications Inc. The company later renamed

1890-621: The instant success of Ebony , Johnson created another publication, named Jet in 1951. Jet , dubbed "The Weekly Negro News Magazine", was a mini-size weekly magazine that featured African American entertainers, community issues, public figures and a woman (predominately black) featured as "Jet's Beauty of the Week". Beginning in 2011, Jet magazine went from a weekly publication to bi-weekly, later converting into digital only in July 2014; publishing its last print magazine in June 2014. The company operated

1944-414: The last of its major assets. The 87-piece art collection included works by Carrie Mae Weems , Henry Ossawa Tanner , Dindga McCannon , Kenneth Victor Young and Walter J. Williams. The auction earned just under three million dollars. In 2010, Chicago Public Schools and Noble Network of Charter Schools opened Johnson College Prep , a public charter high school in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood which

1998-561: The lobby, with large swaths of original wood wall paneling, to ottomans reupholstered using material (curtains/rugs) from the Johnson Publishing days, the vibe is oh so ’70s." In the early 1970s, the company's staff consisted of 300 people; 175 of them were located at the Chicago headquarters while the others worked at branch offices in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington D.C. The company had grown to 1400 employees by

2052-538: The magazine's printing bill. In July 2011, it was announced that JPMorgan would become a partner in the company. Then-CEO Desiree Rogers stated that JPMorgan held a 'minority stake' and presence on the board. In January 2011, the company sold its headquarters of nearly 40 years located at 820 S. Michigan Avenue to Columbia College Chicago . In November 2017, The building was sold by the college to 3L Real Estate for $ 10 million and converted into luxury apartments named 820Michigan . The real estate company stated that

2106-419: The magazine's staff so that the contributions of African Americans to the history of the United States could be adequately documented. African-American models were used in the magazine's advertisements and a conscious effort was made to portray positive aspects of African-American life and culture. Everything in the magazine was addressed to the African-American consumer. Johnson maintained that Ebony′ s success

2160-473: The magazine. Initially focused on the rich and famous in the African-American community, Johnson expanded the reporting to include issues such as "the white problem in America", African-American militancy, crimes by African Americans against African Americans , civil rights legislation , Freedom Rides and marches , and other aspects of segregation and discrimination. Professional historians were recruited for

2214-430: The station WJPC and began broadcasting on November 1, 1973. WJPC was the first Black-owned radio station in Chicago. WJPC-FM, a predominately R&B and soul station operated from November 1973 until it was sold in December 1994. In May 2009, R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company , which printed Ebony and Jet magazines, took a mortgage totaling nearly $ 12 million against the company headquarters, due to nonpayment of

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2268-622: The year by the major magazine publishers in the United States. In 1986, Johnson received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement . He received a Candace Award for Distinguished Service from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women in 1989. In 1993, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his publishing company, Johnson published his autobiography, in which he states "if it could happen to

2322-775: The years Johnson had devoted a portion of several issues of Ebony to articles relating to African independence movements , but in August 1976 he dedicated an entire special issue to the subject "Africa, the Continent of the Future". In 1996, President Bill Clinton bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Johnson. In 1997, Johnson was inducted into the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame. In early 2001, Johnson

2376-592: Was at one time the largest African-American-owned publishing firm in the United States. JPC also published Jet , a weekly news magazine, from November 1951 until June 2014, when it became digital only. In the 1980s, the company branched into film and television. The company's last chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) was the founder's daughter, Linda Johnson Rice. In its final years, Johnson Publishing Company sold off assets including its historic 820 S. Michigan Avenue headquarters in 2011, and its publications in 2016. In April 2019, JPC filed for liquidation , ending

2430-577: Was changed to Black World . Although Negro Digest achieved some success and at its height had a circulation of more than 100,000, it was dwarfed by Johnson's subsequent publication, Ebony , which was so popular that its initial run of 25,000 copies easily sold out. The articles in Ebony , which were designed to look like those in Life or Look magazines, emphasized the achievements of successful African Americans. Photo essays about current events and articles about race relations were also included in

2484-425: Was distinguished by the leadership qualities he demonstrated as student council president and as editor of the school newspaper and class yearbook . He attended high school during the day and studied self-improvement books at night. After he graduated with honors in 1936, he was offered a tuition scholarship to the University of Chicago , but he thought he would have to decline it, because he could not figure out

2538-656: Was drafted into the United States Army and served for two years in Vietnam. In the 1970s, he began working at The Times-Picayune as a staff photographer. Berteaux photographed several celebrities, including Muhammad Ali , Jane Fonda , Jesse Jackson . He worked for the Johnson Publishing Company and his photographs were published in EBONY magazine. He received national and international honors for his aerial, feature, and news photography, including

2592-421: Was due to the positive image of African Americans that it offered. In 1951, Johnson launched Tan , a "true confessions"-type magazine. In 1951, Jet , a weekly news digest, began. Later publications included African American Stars and Ebony Jr. , a children's magazine. Although all of the magazines achieved a measure of success, none was able to compete with Ebony , which in its 40th year of publication had

2646-504: Was held at Johnson Publishing Headquarters on August 16, 2005. Johnson's funeral was held at University of Chicago's Rockefeller Memorial Chapel where an estimated 3,000 people attended, including former U.S. president Bill Clinton , future U.S. president Barack Obama , and civil rights leader Jesse Jackson . Johnson was buried at Oak Woods Cemetery , in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood in Chicago. In 2010,

2700-559: Was inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. The founder, publisher, chairman and CEO of the largest African-American publishing company in the world advised the audience to, "Convince people it is in their best interest to help you." By that year, Johnson had received other awards, including the Horatio Alger Award and The Wall Street Journal Dow Jones Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. He held

2754-673: Was inside the Supreme Life Building at 3501 S. Parkway Ave (later renamed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive). As the company grew, Johnson then purchased a building at 5619 S. State Street in 1943. Six years later, in 1949, it relocated to 1820 South Michigan Avenue, a former funeral home. In December 1971, the company moved to 820 S. Michigan. In Fall 2017, the City of Chicago designated the Johnson Building as

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2808-633: Was modeled after the Reader's Digest was published from November 1942 until 1951 when it was discontinued in favor of Ebony and Jet magazines. The magazine returned to circulation in June 1961 and was later renamed Black World in 1970. Under the new name, the magazine was published for six years until it was canceled again in 1976. The company began publishing Ebony magazine in November 1945. Ebony focused on African-American community, culture, and achievements. The magazine quickly became successful, at one time gaining more than 1.3 million readers. After

2862-720: Was named in honor of John H. and Eunice Johnson. The Chicago History Museum created an exhibition titled Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years Of Ebony Fashion Fair , which was on display from March 2013 until May 2014. The exhibition traveled around the country, including stops at the Museum of Design Atlanta and the Milwaukee Art Museum . The Rebuild Foundation held an exhibition for the company called A Johnson Publishing Story at The Stony Island Arts Bank in Chicago, Illinois. The exhibition, which featured paintings, books, sculptures, furnishings and interior design elements from

2916-689: Was to be named in his honor but instead, the $ 4 million donation was used to endow a chair in entrepreneurship. Johnson was inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame in 2013. In 2019, the Arkansas Legislature created John H. Johnson Day to pay tribute to his legacy and to help support a museum (his childhood home) named in his honor in Arkansas City. The Friends of the John H. Johnson Museum suggested November 1 as

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