Jet Magazine

 John Harold Johnson January 19,1918-August 8, 2005

John H. Johnson was a businessman and publisher.  He was the founder of the Johnson publishing company.  Johnson founded Ebony magazine in 1945 and Jet magazine in  1951.  

Johnson's first publication, NEGRO DIGEST, debuted in 1942.  

An article taken from Jet magazine stated, "Just as important as the news it provided, the magazine quenched Black America's "thirst for recognition and respect."  In 1942 Johnson sent our $2

 pre-publication subscription letters to 20,000 people; 3,000 responded sending $6000.  Within eight months, NEGRO DIGEST had increased its circulation to 50,000 copies a month nationally. In  October 1943 a cover story by first lady Eleanor Roosevelt on what she would do if she were Black almost doubled the circulation overnight.  Anchored on the success of NEGRO DIGEST, EBONY was launched three years later in 1945.  A picture magazine that unlike NEGRO DIGEST brought readers "face to face with the multicolored possibilities of man and woman,"with dazzling photographs that highlighted Black achievements, role models and positive lifestyles.  Like NEGRO DIGEST, it too gave readers respect.  

JET magazine debuted in 1951.  Since that time it's been the magazine of record for the Black community. 
Founded by the Johnson publishing company Ebony was sold to a private firm after 71 years.
JET is notable for its role in chronicling the Civil Rights Movement from its earliest years, including coverage of the Emmett Till murder, the Montgomery bus boycott, and Martin Luther King Jr.
Johnson Publishing Company published the final print issue of JET, June 23, 2014, continuing solely as a digital magazine app.