The publisher appeared on the Forbes 400 list of wealthiest Americans.
(Photo: Courtesy USPS)
Ebony and Jet founder John H. Johnson is being honored by the U.S. Postal Service during Black History Month with a new stamp. The publisher, who passed away in 2005, was responsible for ushering in a collection of titles catering solely to the African-American community.
He started the Johnson Publishing Company in 1951 after moving to Chicago with his family and securing a $500 loan by using his mother's furniture as collateral. The company grew to become the largest African-American-owned firm of its kind and Johnson appeared on the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans.
“He always told me that he had a mother who believed in him and that, even though they came from rural Arkansas, she knew that he was destined for greatness,” said Linda Johnson Rice, his daughter and the current chair of Johnson Publishing.
Johnson's Black heritage stamp joins other notable names such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., singer Ella Fitzgerald, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, poet Langston Hughes and baseball legend Jackie Robinson. His stamp, along with those of U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan and writer/artist Romare Bearden, were dedicated on Saturday at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina. The stamps will be issued as Forever stamps, which hold the value of the current first-class mail rate stamps.
BET.com always gives you the latest fashion and beauty trends, tips and news. We are committed to bringing you the best of black lifestyle and celebrity culture.
Videos You May Like
-
Celebrities It's Bump Watch Season with... Clip (4/12/2013)
-
106 & Park Guest Rewind: Meet the Cast of “42” Clip (4/9/2013)
-
Celebrities Harrison Ford Talks Jackie... Clip (4/9/2013)
-
Celebrities Chadwick Boseman on 42 Clip (4/8/2013)
-
Leading Women... Amy DuBois Barnett on Empowerment Clip (3/19/2013)
-
News Exclusives: Rep. Marcia Fudge... Clip (3/4/2013)
-
News Exclusives: Every Day Is Black... Clip (3/1/2013)
-
News Mignon Clyburn: First Black... Clip (2/28/2013)
-
News Watch Meeting – Dec. 31st 1862... Clip (2/28/2013)
-
News Exclusives: Tim Scott: South... Clip (2/25/2013)
-
News Exclusives: Republican Effort... Clip (2/25/2013)
-
News Exclusives: Stacey Stewart: The... Clip (2/22/2013)
-
Lifestyle Celebrating Black Inventors... Clip (2/22/2013)
-
News Black History Cultural Icon... Clip (2/21/2013)
-
Movies Exclusives: Exclusive Look... Clip (2/20/2013)
-
Lifestyle Celebrating Black Inventors... Clip (2/14/2013)
-
News Exclusives: Steven Horsford... Clip (2/11/2013)
-
News Exclusives: Black History... Clip (2/11/2013)
-
Lifestyle Celebrating Black Inventors... Clip (2/7/2013)
-
Celebrities Celebs on Their Favorite... Clip (2/4/2013)
On Facebook
On Twitter
