In 1942, pioneering publisher John H. Johnson and the NEGRO DIGEST founded Johnson Publishing Co. with a $500 loan. More than 65 years later, JPC remains the world’s largest black-owned and operated publishing company grossing $328 million in 2008.

The global media magnet operates EBONY and JET magazine; Fashion Fair Cosmetics; Ebony Fashion Fair and JPC Book Division. Headquartered in Chicago, the company has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Detroit, London, and Paris.