When did Ebony magazine first arrive on newsstands in Chicago?
Ebony magazine arrived on newsstands in Chicago on the 1st of November 1945. John H. Johnson launched the publication with a press run of just 25,000 copies.
Questions about Ebony (magazine)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who founded Ebony magazine and what was the origin of its name?
John H. Johnson launched Ebony magazine while his wife Eunice Walker Johnson chose the name to evoke dark wood. The editors declared they would mirror the happier side of Negro life from Harlem to Hollywood.
What major shift occurred in Ebony magazine coverage during the 1960s?
The magazine shifted its focus during the 1960s to cover the civil rights movement extensively. Executive editor Lerone Bennett Jr. wrote a recurring column titled Black Power starting in 1965.
How many African-American adults did Ebony reach in the United States during the 1980s?
Ebony reached more than 40 percent of African-American adults in the United States during the 1980s. This feat remained unmatched by any other general-interest magazine at that time.
When did the print edition of Ebony magazine officially suspend its run?
The print edition suspended its run on the 24th of May 2019 with the Spring issue being the last printed version. Johnson Publishing filed for bankruptcy protections later that same year.
Who purchased Ebony magazine and when was it relaunched in digital format?
Junior Bridgeman bought the magazine and its sister publication for $14 million in December 2020. Ebony relaunched in a digital format in March 2021 under Junior Bridgeman's leadership.