Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick: “I rise tonight to acknowledge and celebrate the life and vast and phenomenal achievements of John H. Johnson, the CEO…”

“I rise tonight to acknowledge and celebrate the life and vast and phenomenal achievements of John H. Johnson, the CEO, chairman, founder and publisher of the Johnson Publishing Company Inc., in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Johnson rose from humble origins to become an icon in the African-American community. It was his vision and creation that launched Ebony and Jet magazines which became staples in black family homes. His publications depicted positive and factual images of our culture, accomplishments and social advances and plight. Through his resourcefulness, tenacity and love for his people, he created a vehicle for us to see images of ourselves and read articles that reflected our human condition. I have vivid memories of growing up and seeing Ebony and Jet in the home of my parents and seeing pictures of my race and individual struggles to secure civil rights for all African-Americans. Ultimately, the efforts of Mr. Johnson resulted in the creation of a publication that achieved a circulation of 1.7 million readers with a monthly readership of 11 million persons. Truly, John H. Johnson deserves all the accolades we heap upon him. In an effort to highlight the diverse beauty amongst our people, John Johnson produced the Ebony Fashion Fair; the world's largest traveling fashion show. The efforts of John Johnson resulted in him being able to employ over 2,600 people and sales in excess of $388 million.…”