Remembering the Founder of Johnson Publishing Co. Inc., the man responsible for publishing powerful and empowering articles for Black readers of Jet and Ebony magazines.
Today, 99 years ago, was the birth of John H. Johnson in Arkansas City, AK. January 19, 1918. He was the son of Leroy, a sawmill worker and Gertrude, a stay at home mom. Also the grandson of former slaves. At 6, John would lose his father to a sawmill accident. Post his mother's grieving stage she would remarry.
Life grew difficult for the three of them living in AK. Between the stock market crash in '29 and there being no black high schools for John to transition into post middle school. There were little to no options. As oppose to becoming a dropout, John chose to repeat the 8th grade. This goes to show just how into education he was.
In the summer of 1933 Gertrude would travel to Chicago with her son to enjoy the World's Fair. She became so fond of the city and all of its culture, she decided to relocate. Later, her husband, John's stepfather, would follow his family and as "they" say, the rest is history.
Don't worry, I won't stop there.
Soon he would enroll into DuSable High School (an all-black school). Meanwhile his parents struggled to find work. In the meantime they were to apply for welfare. This worked out for 2 years. Until the stepfather would find work in WPA and John too would find part time work. In between his studies he worked for the National Youth Administration (NYA).
It was in high school where John would demonstrate leadership skills. He became student council president, editor of the school newspaper and class yearbook. Following his graduation in 1936 he would be offered a scholarship to U of Chicago. He didn't stay at university for long. His goal of completing became unreachable.
Skipping ahead to 1941 he would marry Eunice Walker. They had a child, Linda Johnson. Now, Linda Johnson Rice. In 1942 he would borrow $500 which he achieved by placing his mother's furniture up for collateral. Come June of the same year he would publish his first magazine. The black version of Reader's Digest, titled "Negro Digest" (ND). Inside ND there were articles and pictures featuring Black America in a much positive light.
courtesy of Culture Type
In 1945 John found interest in creating a magazine similar to that of Life. With its flashy printed covers. His wife would create the name Ebony. Its first issue would release in November of the same year.
courtesy of Re: Obama
In 1951, John would create Jet and 25 years later in 1976 the Negro Digest would print its final issue.
courtesy of Chicago Now
In 1982 he was featured in Forbes 400. This made him the African American to do so.
On August 8, 2005 John Harold Johnson would issue his final breath at age 87. Cause, heart failure. His legacy is survived by daughter Linda Johnson Rice as publisher of Johnson Publishing Co. Inc.
Jet magazine discontinued print in June 2014 and now can be found in digital. Ebony magazine is still in rotation and printing issues monthly.
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