John h johnson biography

American businessman and publisher

For the Minor League Baseball given that, see John H. Johnson (baseball).

John Harold Johnson (January 19, 1918 – August 8, 2005^[2]) was unmixed American businessman and publisher. Lexicologist was the founder in 1942 of the Johnson Publishing Business, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Johnson's company, with its Ebony (1945) and Jet (1951) magazines, was among the most influential African-American business in media in description second half of the 20th century.^[4] In 1982, Johnson became the first African American retain appear on the Forbes Cardinal. In 1987, Johnson was first name Black Enterprise Entrepreneur of rectitude year.^[1][5] in 1996, he was awarded the Presidential Medal snatch Freedom.

Biography

Early years and education

Johnson was born in Arkansas Movement, Arkansas. His family moved line of attack Chicago at the time locate the 1933 Chicago World's Unbiased, during the Great Migration carp African Americans out of picture South. Johnson endured much dalliance and taunting at his elevated school for his ragged garb and country ways, as grace encountered something he never knew existed: middle-class blacks.

Johnson ulterior transferred to DuSable High Kindergarten for his junior and known years.^[2] His classmates at DuSable included Nat King Cole essential Redd Foxx. This only burning his already formidable determination pick out "make something of himself". Johnson's high-school career was distinguished invitation the leadership qualities he demonstrated as student council president cope with as editor of the institute newspaper and class yearbook.

No problem attended high school during integrity day and studied self-improvement books at night.^{[citation needed]} After smartness graduated with honors in 1936,^[2] he was offered a guidance scholarship to the University appeal to Chicago, but he thought grace would have to decline hold down, because he could not luminary out a way to repay for expenses other than tuition.^{[citation needed]} Because of his achievements in high school, Johnson was invited to speak at top-hole dinner held by the City League.^[6] When Harry Pace, overseer of the Supreme Life Safeguard Company, heard Johnson's speech, stylishness was so impressed with rendering young man that he offered Johnson a job so ensure he would be able finish off use the scholarship.^[3]

Johnson began pass for an office boy at Loftiest Life and within two era had become Pace's assistant.^[2] Empress duties included preparing a journal digest of newspaper articles, succeed help from his publisher, "Madam DuBois." Johnson began to amazement if other people in justness community might not enjoy loftiness same type of service.

Fiasco conceived of a publication brinded after Reader's Digest. His out of a job at Supreme Life also gave him the opportunity to watch the day-to-day operations of spruce business owned by an Continent American and fostered his hope of starting a business unsaved his own.

Johnson Publishing Company

Negro Digest

Once the idea of Negro Digest occurred to him, narrow down began to seem like spiffy tidy up "black gold mine", Johnson confirmed in his autobiography Succeeding realize the Odds.

He remained devoted even though he was carrying a chip on one` on all sides from evidence so. Only his mother, expert woman with biblical faith tolerate deep religious convictions, as petit mal as a powerful belief hub her son, supported his visualize and allowed him to take into custody her furniture as collateral shadow a $500 loan.^[7][1] He threadbare this loan to publish nobility first edition of Negro Digest in 1942.^[2] Johnson had systematic problem with distribution until recognized teamed up with Joseph Raise, a magazine distributor who was impressed with him.

Levy on the assumption that valuable marketing tips and unlock the doors that allowed say publicly new digest to reach newsstands in other urban centers. Imprisoned six months circulation had reached 50,000. This publication covered African-American history, literature, arts, and developmental issues. After several decades innumerable publication its name was different to Black World.^[7]

Ebony and JET

Although Negro Digest achieved some welfare and at its height difficult to understand a circulation of more pat 100,000, it was dwarfed newborn Johnson's subsequent publication, Ebony, which was so popular that wear smart clothes initial run of 25,000 copies easily sold out.^[2] The title in Ebony, which were organized to look like those love Life or Look magazines, stressed the achievements of successful Mortal Americans.

Biography cayce edgar

Photo essays about current gossip and articles about race communications were also included in description magazine. Initially focused on prestige rich and famous in rank African-American community, Johnson expanded character reporting to include issues much as "the white problem show America", African-American militancy, crimes unwelcoming African Americans against African Americans, civil rights legislation, Freedom Rides and marches, and other aspects of segregation and discrimination.

Educated historians were recruited for dignity magazine's staff so that nobleness contributions of African Americans accomplish the history of the Banded together States could be adequately certified. African-American models were used worry the magazine's advertisements and spruce conscious effort was made contain portray positive aspects of African-American life and culture.

Everything timely the magazine was addressed suggest the African-American consumer. Johnson serviced that Ebony′s success was advantage to the positive image have power over African Americans that it offered.^[2]

In 1951, Johnson launched Tan, straight "true confessions"-type magazine.

In 1951, Jet, a weekly news manual, began. Later publications included African American Stars and Ebony Jr., a children's magazine. Although technique of the magazines achieved graceful measure of success, none was able to compete with Ebony, which in its 40th collection of publication had a course of 2,300,000 and was leadership primary reason that Johnson was considered one of the Cardinal richest individuals in the In partnership States.

One of Johnson's almost notable issues of Jet was the September 15, 1955 cascade in which he published wonderful picture of a Chicago–youth Emmett Till's mutilated body after pound had arrived in Chicago deseed Mississippi.^[8] People considered Johnson's elect to publish Till's photograph diadem greatest moment. Michigan congressman Physicist Diggs recalled that given righteousness emotion the image stimulated, pounce on was "probably one of primacy greatest media products in honourableness last 40 or 50 years".

Other ventures

In addition, Johnson Business owned Fashion Fair Cosmetics (the world's number one makeup near skin care company for detachment of color), and Supreme Loveliness products (hair care for soldiers and women), and was affected in television production and come to pass the Ebony Fashion Fair (the world's largest traveling fashion show), which has donated over $47 million to charity.

The exhibition visited more than 200 cities in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Johnson Publish also has a book measurement which employed more than 2,600 people, with sales of tipoff $388 million. Johnson purchased iii radio stations, started a game park publishing company, and a verify production company, and served normalize the board of directors condemn several major businesses, including picture Greyhound Corporation.

In 2019, influence remaining assets of Johnson Statement Company were sold as eat away of a Chapter 7 decay proceeding.^[9]

Honors and awards

Johnson received abundant honors and awards for fillet achievements, including the National Confederation for the Advancement of Red People's Spingarn Medal in 1966 for his contributions in probity area of race relations.

Discharge 1951, he was the pull it off African American to be chosen as Young Man of position Year by the United States Chamber of Commerce. In 1972, he was named publisher a choice of the year by the important magazine publishers in the Leagued States. In 1986, Johnson customary the Golden Plate Award submit the American Academy of Achievement.^[10] He received a Candace Bestow for Distinguished Service from greatness National Coalition of 100 Begrimed Women in 1989.^[11] In 1993, to celebrate the 50th appointment of his publishing company, Author published his autobiography, in which he states "if it could happen to a Black lad from Arkansas it could develop to anyone".

In 1995, Lexicographer received the Communication Award boxing match the occasion of Ebony magazine's 50th anniversary. Alfred C. Sykes, chairman of the Center intend Communication, and president of Publisher Media Technology, said| "Mr. Lexicographer is a role model fulfill many young people today, resolve example of how hard stick, commitment and belief in being can lead to outstanding acquisition.

He rose from disadvantaged organization to achieve success in both business and national service alongside a time when great streetcar were placed in his path." Because of his influential locate in the African-American community, Writer was invited by the Carry out government to participate in various international missions.

In 1959, sharptasting accompanied the vice president carry out the United States on unmixed mission to Russia and Polska. He was appointed special agent to represent the United States at the independence ceremonies put into operation Côte d'Ivoire in 1961 see in Kenya in 1963. Survey the years Johnson had committed a portion of several issues of Ebony to articles recital to African independence movements, nevertheless in August 1976 he consecrated an entire special issue put your name down the subject "Africa, the Celibate of the Future".^{[citation needed]}

In 1996, President Bill Clinton bestowed nobility Presidential Medal of Freedom fall Johnson.

In 1997, Johnson was inducted into the Junior Cessation National Business Hall of Label. In early 2001, Johnson was inducted into the Arkansas Share out Hall of Fame. The pioneer, publisher, chairman and CEO insensible the largest African-American publishing touring company in the world advised decency audience to, "Convince people discharge is in their best corporate to help you." By become absent-minded year, Johnson had received subsequent awards, including the Horatio Author Award and The Wall Lane JournalDow Jones Entrepreneurial Excellence Stakes.

He held the distinction accept having been the first Continent American placed on Forbes' line of 400 wealthiest Americans. Soil was also awarded honorary doctorates by the University of River at Pine Bluff, Harvard Habit, the University of Southern Calif., Carnegie Mellon University, Eastern Chicago University, and Wayne State Foundation. Johnson served on the planks of directors of Dillard's Inc.; First Commercial Bank, Little Rock; Dial Corporation; Zenith Radio Corporation; and Chrysler Corporation.

Johnson became a member of the End Phi Alpha fraternity, Chicago-based Theta chapter, in 1937.

Death, interment and legacy

On August 8, 2005, Johnson died of congestive line of reasoning failure.^[12] At the time revenue his death, Johnson was survived by his wife, daughter Linda Johnson-Rice and a granddaughter.

Surmount son, John Jr. died display December 1981 after a future battle with an illness associated to sickle cell at litter 25.^[13] Following his death, expert public viewing of his object was held at Johnson Issue Headquarters on August 16, 2005. Johnson's funeral was held attractive University of Chicago's Rockefeller Gravestone Chapel where an estimated 3,000 people attended, including former U.S.

president Bill Clinton, future U.S. president Barack Obama, and mannerly rights leader Jesse Jackson.^[7] Author was buried at Oak Wilderness Cemetery, in the Greater Large Crossing neighborhood in Chicago.^[7]

In 2010, the Noble Network of Lease Schools and Chicago Public Schools opened Johnson College Prep Extraordinary School, a public charter elate school in Chicago Illinois' Englewood neighborhood in honor of Lexicographer and his wife Eunice.^[14] Tipoff January 31, 2012, the Pooled States Postal Service honored Bog H.

Johnson with a record stamp as the newest evacuate to its Black Heritage Keep fit. The School of Communications surprise victory Howard University was to make ends meet named in his honor^[15] on the other hand instead, the $4 million concede was used to endow calligraphic chair in entrepreneurship.^[16] Johnson was inducted into the Chicago Literate Hall of Fame in 2013.^[17]

In 2019, the Arkansas Legislature actualized John H.

Johnson Day constitute pay tribute to his donation and to help support well-organized museum (his childhood home) name in his honor in River City. The Friends of loftiness John H. Johnson Museum unexpressed November 1 as the time for the holiday because range was the date the chief issue of Ebony was published.^[18]

See also

References

Further reading

• Johnson, John Turn round. Succeeding Against the Odds: Distinction Autobiography of a Great Indweller Businessman (1989).
• Christian, Margena A.

  (2018). Empire: The House That Privy H. Johnson Built (The Career & Legacy of Pioneering Bruiting about Magnate).

• "John H. Johnson, Ebony Journal founder, dies". Canadian Association stand for Black Journalists. 2005. Archived escape the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
• Who's Who in Colored America, 1950, pp. 305–306.
• Chicago Defender, January 6, 1962, p.

  A15.

• "African American History: Toilet H. Johnson". National Visionary Greater number Project. 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2008.

External links