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2010 Black History Month: John H. Johnson Publisher
“Failure is not a word I accept”~ John H. Johnson, Publisher
John H. Johnson was an American businessman, founder of the Johnson Publishing Company. He was the chairman of Johnson Publishing Company and he also chaired the Fashion Fair Cosmetics Company, a company created by his wife Eunice Walker Johnson.
Under his leadership both Jet and Ebony Magazines flourished. Readership and circulation grew every year from 1945 the year in which they were first published.
The magazines were named by his wife Eunice and the start-up money came from a $500 loan from his mother. She allowed Johnson to use her furniture as collateral for the loan.
His business success is nothing short of meteoric. He rose from the depths of poverty, spending a short time on the welfare rolls to becoming the first Black African American to be included in the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans.
“Indomitable spirit”, that is how many describe Johnson’ secret to success. He was creative and innovative. He always found a solution. when faced with blatant racial discrimination when he was denied approval to buy a lot in downtown Chicago, Johnson hired a white attorney to buy the property in trust for him. By this action he became the first black to construct a major structure in Chicago’s bustling downtown business area.
From President Bill Clinton, John H. Johnson received the nation’s highest civilian award the Presidential Medal Of Freedom.
During his business career because of his business expertise Johnson was chosen to serve as director of several important American corporations including Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Continental Banks and Dillard’s Department Stores. He was also a trustee of United Negro College Fund and the Conference of Christians And Jews.
John H. Johnson is recognized as the first entrepreneur to acknowledge the
awesome buying power of the Black African American consumer.
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