Chicago: Ebony, Johnson publishing/Black media empire & a building...reading is...
Posted by noting gm on 10/22/2026, 6:08 pm
A bit of sad reading, I think..
I remember how Jet & Ebony were must reads for those of us in the islands and they got circulated from hand-to-hand etc. Anyway reading this is a bit sad:
google: "After a Black Media Empire Fell, a Photographer Explored the Extraordinary Building It Left Behind." [10.22]
Well, at least the building survives in Chicago.
Re: Chicago: Ebony, Johnson publishing/Black media empire & a building...reading is...
I remember how Jet & Ebony were must reads for those of us in the islands and they got circulated from hand-to-hand etc. Anyway reading this is a bit sad:
google: "After a Black Media Empire Fell, a Photographer Explored the Extraordinary Building It Left Behind." [10.22]
Well, at least the building survives in Chicago.
Re: Chicago: Ebony, Johnson publishing/Black media empire & a building...reading is...
Wow, you guys have touched on some special memories when you talk about Ebony magazine and the Chicago Defender. I was just in traffic a few days ago and found myself on Michigan Ave. in front of the Ebony Jet building. It was bumper to bumper congestion, and as I was literally in front of the building, I opened my sun roof and peered up to see if the Ebony Jet sign was still there.
I remember the day I went to Ebony Jet for my interview with WJPC radio. Charles Mootry, the guy who hired Fly Jock, Tom Joiner, was the guy who hired me. Joiner would fly-in each day from his morning show in Dallas to his afternoon show in Chicago. That was great marketing. The entire audience was always perched on the edge of their seats wondering if Joiner would maintain his consecutive record of no missed days, even when there were major snow storms. I don’t think he ever missed a scheduled daily show. I’ll have to double-check that, though.
Immediately, I was doing my own copywriting for the radio commercials of my clients. Mr. Johnson was first class, we had copywriter “how-to books,” — we had to learn how to write on the seat of our pants. It was great training. The building had its own restaurant-style cafeteria, and Mr. Johnson would sometimes hold gatherings there where special notables would make remarks. WJPC was the top station in the market, during that period, so all the top music icons would come thru. I was in advertising sales, though, so I missed a lot of guests. I remember Melba Moore was set to be there one day, and oh did I want to meet Melba. Our offices were right there at the interview room door.
And the Chicago Defender — I knew I had arrived when I chatted with Black Panther leader Bobby Seale. In my mind, in those days, I was preparing for my future. And now I’m here, lol. A sale of my screenplay on “The Awakening of Khufu” would be a great culmination. It will literally change the global framing, I believe, following this interregnum—
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Here is another interesting story on Chicago's Black press. Surely, Les is familiar with Chicago Defender's Ethel Payne.
I remember how Jet & Ebony were must reads for those of us in the islands and they got circulated from hand-to-hand etc. Anyway reading this is a bit sad:
google: "After a Black Media Empire Fell, a Photographer Explored the Extraordinary Building It Left Behind." [10.22]
Well, at least the building survives in Chicago.
Re: Chicago: Ebony, Johnson publishing/Black media empire & a building...reading is...
It was while doing a bit of research that I ran into the Chicago Defender and thus to this message board. A very lively place then!
Now that we have more Black millionaires, why can't a new Robert Johnson step up and create a similar black media output. We have Byron Allen owning The Grio and other media outlets but i've always found him to be suspicious. Plus, if he passes, his media empire will be owned by his wife's white family. They say The Root is black-owned by a sister named Ashley Allison, but between the lines her finance is by folks of the Democratic party establishment - those linked to Obama & Kamala. TheRoot is now a democratic party echo chamber and the comment section has disappeared. Anyway, social media is the thing, at least as far as i'm concerned. Just my observation.
Lol..."and as I was literally in front of the building, I opened my sun roof and peered up"... Les is sooo Black bougie!
btw, in today's world, Tom Joyner wouldn't have to fly anywhere for his show, he could reach the world from his bathroom or man cave. Just like the Rickey Smiley!
I was checking out something and came across an announcement that journalist Tony Brown of TONY BROWN'S JOURNAL on PBS died months ago - June 17, 2026.
I'm thinking what da hell? I don't remember posting about his death here nor do I remember any announcements in public media about his passing (in fact, the new york times DID POST an obituary a couple weeks after his death).
So weird that I missed Tony Brown's death and didn't post it here on LLC, given that i'd briefly interacted with him in Brooklyn during his radio show days in nyc. Damn, maybe i'm just getting very old.
i recall reading about his death. I had thought he died years earlier. I liked his pbs show.
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I was checking out something and came across an announcement that journalist Tony Brown of TONY BROWN'S JOURNAL on PBS died months ago - June 17, 2026.
I'm thinking what da hell? I don't remember posting about his death here nor do I remember any announcements in public media about his passing (in fact, the new york times DID POST an obituary a couple weeks after his death).
So weird that I missed Tony Brown's death and didn't post it here on LLC, given that i'd briefly interacted with him in Brooklyn during his radio show days in nyc. Damn, maybe i'm just getting very old.
At one point I thought he was dead too, but then found out he was still alive. I am completely stumped as to why i'm only learning of his death today. I did a brief search to see it was announced here, and it wasn't.. Apparently he outlived his relatives or something cuz most folks only learned of his death many days later...Unbelievable! RIP TONY BROWN.
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