On November 8, 1966, John H. Johnson, the founder of Ebony and Jet magazines, was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP. The medal was given to him “for his productive imagination in the perilous field of publishing” and “for his contributions to the enhancement of the Negro’s self-image through his publications.”

Who was John H. Johnson?

John H. Johnson (1918–2005) was a pioneering African American entrepreneur and publisher who founded Johnson Publishing Company in 1942. His flagship magazine, Ebony, focused on African American culture, success stories, and positive representation, while Jet became instrumental in covering civil rights issues—most notably publishing the horrific images of Emmett Till’s open-casket funeral, which helped galvanize the Civil Rights Movement.

Why was the Spingarn Medal Significant?

The Spingarn Medal is awarded annually by the NAACP to an African American who has made outstanding contributions to society. Johnson’s impact in shaping Black media, representation, and empowerment made him a deserving recipient.

His legacy lives on, and his contributions to Black journalism remain legendary. ??