Rising from poverty to the pinnacle of society, the late trailblazing entrepreneur and publisher John H. Johnson today is honored on this year’s Black Heritage Forever stamp by the Postal Service.
Johnson — the founder of Johnson Publishing Company, which publishes “Ebony” and “Jet” magazines — is the 35th honoree in the Black Heritage stamp series.
“I’m immensely proud that my father and his life’s passion are being recognized in such a high honor as the Black Heritage Stamp,” said Linda Johnson Rice. “His legacy lives on in all whom he touched and in the work we continue to do daily.”
Johnson was born in Arkansas City, AR, where schools were segregated and there were no high schools for black students. By the time of his death at age 87, he had created a business empire encompassing magazines, cosmetics, radio stations and book publishing. In 1982, he became the first black person to appear on “Forbes” magazine’s annual list of the 400 wealthiest people in America.
The John H. Johnson stamp can be bought at Post Offices nationwide, online at usps.com and by phone at 800-782-6724.
source: USPS News Link
The article makes no mention of Mr. Johnson’s very public hatred and vilification of gay people.
His wealth and influence gave his homophobia a very wide audience, and he doubtlessly destroyed many more lives than he elevated.
A government approved stamp is an insult to anyone concerned with civil rights beyond the black community.