Company Profile

Company Overview

Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) was founded in 1942 by John H. Johnson and is the curator of the African-American experience – past, present and future. JPC is the preeminent publisher of EBONY and JET magazines and owner of Fashion Fair Cosmetics, an internationally renowned cosmetics brand for people of color. JPC is committed to celebrating the vibrancy of African-American culture by operating trusted brands and delivering products of the highest quality that inform, engage, entertain, inspire, and enhance the lives of people.

JPC has had an unparalleled impact on Black America. The five million photos in the JPC archive along with its video collection have showcased this community for almost 70 years. In 1956, Eunice Walker Johnson launched the Ebony Fashion Fair Show; a traveling fashion show that raised over 55 million dollars for local charities and ensured several towns across America experienced high fashion. Mrs. Johnson’s fashion shows highlighted clothing from many many designers including Oscar De La Renta, Missoni and Stephen Burrows.

Today, Linda Johnson Rice maintains the JPC legacy as an African-American owned company. The corporate philanthropic mission focuses on education, financial literacy and AIDS education. The company’s products reaches over 72% of African-Americans over 18 years old.

An elementary charter school was recently opened in Chicago in honor of John H. Johnson.