LINDA
JOHNSON RICE: BEAUTY, BRAINS AND STRENGTH
Around
the world, few Black women over the age of 30 have not sat under the hair dryer
in a beauty salon and read the iconic miniature magazine called “Jet.” For decades, this tiny little publication
feed our quenchable thirst for African-American news, gossip and interviews. It was the baby sister to the legendary Ebony
magazine which was the official publication of the Black community established
by the John H. Johnson family back in 1945.
From
the photographic archives to the important profiles of celebrated people in the
diaspora community, publications under Johnson Publishing will always be the
cornerstone that marked the contemporary history of Black people.
Founding
and leading the charge were two heroes: John H. Johnson and his wife, Eunice
Johnson. Sure many people know the name
of the publisher John, but only a select population know the civil rights story
and feminist power of Eunice Johnson. Starting
with her vision and dream of running a national fashion and cosmetics
corporation to expanding the company worldwide, few people understand the
contributions of Eunice Johnson to the world of fashion through her relentless
determination of bringing couture design to Black fashion show audiences.
YSL, Eunice Johnson and Andre Leon Talley
Eunice
Johnson convinced couture masters from Europe and around the world to show
their collection pieces in her travelling fashion show called, the Ebony Fashion Fair. From that major accomplishment, she was then able to manufacture, market, and retail a line of fashionable
cosmetics created to highlight the beauty of Black women from London to the
Bahamas.
Eunice
and John showed us, Black people, who we were and who we could be. No one gave thought to losing these two
angels.
Having
a small family of a son and daughter, Eunice and John's dynasty grew and prospered
for countless years until the death of these parental legacies and their only son. Leaving a devastated community wondering what
was to become of the historic company and publications, a fearless daughter
rose to continue the monumental task of the great media giant.
Enter
one fabulous, smart and courageous woman, Linda Johnson Rice.
Being
one year older than myself, I have no idea how this woman has managed to grieve
the loss of her family members; find love and marriage, not once, but twice;
have time to birth a child and miraculously run and keep profitable a large
media empire. She is one astute and
grand woman. Her fashion sense and style
are flawless. Her beauty is timeless,
for stress has not left its mark upon her visage.
Even
through the financial ups and downs accompanied by a multitude of legal
situations, Linda has managed to keep it all together. Making a move to sell the publication a few
years ago, Linda now finds herself back in the role of CEO. Further, she has been invited to serve on the
Board of Directors of the innovative motor company, Tesla.
Linda
Johnson Rice, I salute you, your family and your contributions to the
African-American community. We, the
world community, owe you and your family a mound of gratitude for documenting
our existence. Without your family’s
commitment to telling the stories of African-American, we would not have much proof of accomplishments throughout the African diaspora.
Thank
you.
*Vanessa Brantley Style395.blogspot.com, September 23, 2017, “Linda Johnson Rice: Beauty, Brains and Strength”, Volume 10, Blog 1a [vol. 9, 1a-1c].
