John H. Johnson: The Johnson Publishing Fellowship Of Chicago

Photo: John Harold Johnson (b. Jan. 19, 1918 – d. Aug. 8, 2005)

The Johnson Publishing Company, started past times Johnson H. Johnson, is amid the largest Black-owned businesses inwards the United States.

THE EARLY LIFE OF JOHN H. JOHNSON

John H. Johnson, founder of Johnson Publishing, was born inwards Arkansas City, Arkansas in 1918. In 1933, he in addition to his woman bring upwardly migrated to Chicago seeking a meliorate instruction for the immature John Johnson. After graduating from DuSable High School, Johnson worked for Henry H. Pace, in addition to therefore president of Supreme Liberty Life Insurance Company.

Johnson was eventually given the trouble to detect tidings items virtually Blacks in addition to compile them amongst tidings of Supreme Life employee activities for an in-house publication. Johnson developed the sentiment of collecting articles into a monthly periodical to last called Negro Digest.

In 1942, Johnson used his mother's novel slice of furniture every bit collateral for a $500 loan to shipping 20,000 letters to Supreme Life insurance policy-holders offering a $2 charter subscription to the Negro Digest. The overwhelming reply marked the outset of the Black media dynasty. Other publications launched past times Johnson was Tan magazine, a truthful confessions means publication, too every bit Ebony Man, Ebony Jr., in addition to African American Stars.

EBONY AND JET MAGAZINES

Ebony in addition to Jet magazines accept been published from Chicago since 1945 in addition to 1951, respectively. In its 40th twelvemonth of publication, Ebony periodical had reached a circulation of 2,300,000. After which, Johnson began making the listing of the richest individuals inwards the United States. In 1996, the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom was bestowed on Johnson past times President Bill Clinton.

The company's subsidiaries include Fashion Fair Cosmetics in addition to the Ebony Fashion Fair Show.

Johnson Publishing Company celebrated its 60th anniversary inwards 2002. The publishing fellowship is headquartered inwards a costless standing edifice inwards the South Loop of Chicago at 820 S. Michigan Avenue.