Friends of John H. Johnson Museum Celebration Set In Honor of Johnson
The great grandson of slaves, John H. Johnson was born January 19, 1918, in Arkansas City, Arkansas, and became the first Black person to be on Forbes magazine’s list of richest Americans. He was the founder and publisher of Johnson Publishing Company, and the iconic Ebony and Jet magazines.
Friends of John H. Johnson Museum will celebrate his birthday at the Tampa Bay History Center 5 pm to 8 pm on January 19, 2024 in Teco Hall.
This event will host an exhibit by photographer and filmmaker, Roy Lewis. Mr. Lewis was a photographer for Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) and captured iconic images for JPC.
Lynn Norment, a former Ebony magazine editor and Janis F. Kearney, an author, former newspaper owner and presidential diarist will share and discuss John H. Johnson’s life and legacy.
The event’s guest host will be comedian and producer Nate Williams.
This celebration is also a benefit to support the John H. Johnson Museum and future John H. Johnson Museum Welcome Center.
Friends of John H. Johnson Museum, a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization, curates the life and legacy of John H. Johnson, including curating an annual memorial holiday November 1st in the State of Arkansas and cultural and educational programming at the John H. Johnson Museum, a replica home museum of his childhood. For more information on John H. Johnson and his Johnson Publishing Company’s iconic Ebony Magazine, visit the Smithsonian Institute:
John H. Johnson – Men of Change (si.edu) and 75 Years of Ebony Magazine | National Museum of African American History and Culture (si.edu)
Guests are welcome to visit John H. Johnson Cultural and Educational Museum (John H. Johnson Museum) at 604 President Street, Arkansas City, Arkansas or online at www.johnhjohnsonmuseum.org. Also visit the John H. Johnson statue and commemorative plaza at the Arkansas Delta Heritage Trail, Arkansas City, Arkansas. The first statue honoring John H. Johnson in the world.
As part of John H. Johnson’s birthday celebration, Hillsborough County schools are invited to participate in an art and essay invitational.
