Post by Diamond Girl on Aug 10, 2005 16:17:40 GMT -5
CHICAGO -- A memorial was held Tuesday for John H. Johnson, whose Chicago-based Ebony and Jet magazines helped create a black mainstream market and fight stereotypes.
Johnson died at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital at the age of 87 Monday after a long illness.
Johnson "dealt fully with all the news in the African-American community -- the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly," Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., said in a news release.
"John Johnson touched the lives of millions of people through his various publications, and his charitable spirit," the Rev. Jesse Jackson said in a release.
In naming Johnson the greatest minority entrepreneur in American history, the Baylor Business Network of Dallas said in a Web site that he "rose from the welfare rolls of the Depression to become the most successful Black businessman in American history." In addition to his magazines, his cosmetics company became "the global leader for makeup and skin care for women of color," the Web site said.
The Rev. Jackson said that when he needed a summer job in 1964, he went to the publisher, and Johnson told him he was "a communicator" and suggested that he meet the public. The Rev. Jackson added that his first published article appeared in Johnson's Negro Digest.
"John Johnson changed Black America for the good and we are all indebted to his example," the Rev. Jackson said. "A giant has gone to rest."
Johnson was born into a poor Arkansas family and built his publishing and cosmetics firms from a $500 loan secured by his mother's furniture, according to news reports.
His interest in journalism began in the 1930s as editor-in-chief of his high school newspaper. After attending the University of Chicago on a scholarship, he prepared Negro Digest while employed as a clerk at the Supreme Life Insurance Co.
This gave him the idea for Ebony Magazine, which began in November 1945, when there was a push for racial equality as a result of integration in the military and war production factories in World War II. Ebony was followed in 1951 by Jet magazine.
Johnson sent an ad salesman to Detroit every week for 10 years before an auto manufacturer agreed to advertise in his magazine, a news report said.
Branching out, Johnson eventually owned several radio stations, a book publishing company and Fashion Fair Cosmetics, Jackson said.
In his autobiography, "Succeeding Against the Odds," Johnson wrote: "I believe that the only failure is failing to try...and if my life has meaning....it is because of millions of Americans, black and white, have proved through me that The Dream is still alive and well and working in America."
Johnson, a member of the Forbes 400, received several awards over the years, including The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the release stated.
He also was named the Magazine Publishers Association's Publisher of the Year, and given an award as a member of the National Business Hall of Fame, it stated.
In addition he received the annual Horatio Alger Award as a representative of the rags-to-riches American tradition.
Howard University in Washington, D.C., established the John H. Johnson School of Communications in his honor in 2003. He also received several honorary doctoral degrees from institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Southern California, Northwestern University, Howard University and Morehouse College, the release stated.
Johnson was "the tallest tree in the publishing forest," Jesse Jackson Jr. said. "He was one of us telling our story in a way that was both accurate and respectful of our experience."
Jackson said Johnson's work would be carried on by people including his widow, Gertrude Johnson, and daughter, Linda Johnson Rice.
Johnson had named his daughter chief executive officer of the publishing company in 2002 but remained chairman and publisher until his death.
"He was in his office and alert and active until the end," his daughter said on the Web site.
"He was the greatest salesman and CEO I have ever known, but he was also a father, friend and mentor with a great sense of humor who never stopped climbing mountains and dreaming dreams," she added.
"Through the vision and leadership of Mr. Johnson, Ebony and Jet magazines helped corporate America realize the vast purchasing power of the African-American consumer," Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley said in a release Monday evening.
"Mr. Johnson helped to portray positive images of African-Americans in the mainstream media by seeking out and focusing on milestone achievements in the community," Daley said.
Johnson died at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital at the age of 87 Monday after a long illness.
Johnson "dealt fully with all the news in the African-American community -- the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly," Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., said in a news release.
"John Johnson touched the lives of millions of people through his various publications, and his charitable spirit," the Rev. Jesse Jackson said in a release.
In naming Johnson the greatest minority entrepreneur in American history, the Baylor Business Network of Dallas said in a Web site that he "rose from the welfare rolls of the Depression to become the most successful Black businessman in American history." In addition to his magazines, his cosmetics company became "the global leader for makeup and skin care for women of color," the Web site said.
The Rev. Jackson said that when he needed a summer job in 1964, he went to the publisher, and Johnson told him he was "a communicator" and suggested that he meet the public. The Rev. Jackson added that his first published article appeared in Johnson's Negro Digest.
"John Johnson changed Black America for the good and we are all indebted to his example," the Rev. Jackson said. "A giant has gone to rest."
Johnson was born into a poor Arkansas family and built his publishing and cosmetics firms from a $500 loan secured by his mother's furniture, according to news reports.
His interest in journalism began in the 1930s as editor-in-chief of his high school newspaper. After attending the University of Chicago on a scholarship, he prepared Negro Digest while employed as a clerk at the Supreme Life Insurance Co.
This gave him the idea for Ebony Magazine, which began in November 1945, when there was a push for racial equality as a result of integration in the military and war production factories in World War II. Ebony was followed in 1951 by Jet magazine.
Johnson sent an ad salesman to Detroit every week for 10 years before an auto manufacturer agreed to advertise in his magazine, a news report said.
Branching out, Johnson eventually owned several radio stations, a book publishing company and Fashion Fair Cosmetics, Jackson said.
In his autobiography, "Succeeding Against the Odds," Johnson wrote: "I believe that the only failure is failing to try...and if my life has meaning....it is because of millions of Americans, black and white, have proved through me that The Dream is still alive and well and working in America."
Johnson, a member of the Forbes 400, received several awards over the years, including The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the release stated.
He also was named the Magazine Publishers Association's Publisher of the Year, and given an award as a member of the National Business Hall of Fame, it stated.
In addition he received the annual Horatio Alger Award as a representative of the rags-to-riches American tradition.
Howard University in Washington, D.C., established the John H. Johnson School of Communications in his honor in 2003. He also received several honorary doctoral degrees from institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Southern California, Northwestern University, Howard University and Morehouse College, the release stated.
Johnson was "the tallest tree in the publishing forest," Jesse Jackson Jr. said. "He was one of us telling our story in a way that was both accurate and respectful of our experience."
Jackson said Johnson's work would be carried on by people including his widow, Gertrude Johnson, and daughter, Linda Johnson Rice.
Johnson had named his daughter chief executive officer of the publishing company in 2002 but remained chairman and publisher until his death.
"He was in his office and alert and active until the end," his daughter said on the Web site.
"He was the greatest salesman and CEO I have ever known, but he was also a father, friend and mentor with a great sense of humor who never stopped climbing mountains and dreaming dreams," she added.
"Through the vision and leadership of Mr. Johnson, Ebony and Jet magazines helped corporate America realize the vast purchasing power of the African-American consumer," Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley said in a release Monday evening.
"Mr. Johnson helped to portray positive images of African-Americans in the mainstream media by seeking out and focusing on milestone achievements in the community," Daley said.
