A Dose of the Word
While Look and Life were top selling magazines, a new and different magazine appeared which captured more than a quarter of the Blacks in America as readers. John Johnson, publisher and founder began Ebony in 1945 specifically for World War II veterans. Johnson felt these men who were returning to rebuild their lives needed a wider view of the world and more applied knowledge; besides, people needed to hear stories of successful Blacks.
Believer it or not, Johnson’s first publication was called Negro Digest. Many other business moguls were impressed with his ideas and supplied the capital to progress the work. He asked Eleanor Roosevelt to write a guest article, which made the publication triple in size.
Ebony magazine highlighted famous, yet obscure Black Americans who did great things but were overlooked by White magazines. The big break came when Matthew Henson, a Black explorer, journeyed to the North Pole with Admiral Perry. Zenith began to advertise in Ebony and Negro Digest and the newest magazine Jet. Things really took off and soon there were over 12 million in readership.
Thank God for John Johnson who had faith and courage to do what no one else would do as a Black publisher. Black History Month gives us an opportunity to highlight the contributions of Black America. But remember, in Heaven there’ll be no Whites, Blacks or Hispanic or Asians or Native Americans, just the family of God; “…every tribe, language and people and nation.” Amen!
Chaplain Larry Sparks
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