Free Republic

WHEN I was growing up in the 70's, Ebony and Jet were always on the coffee table, along with the late, great Ebony Jr. for children. There always seemed to be a party going on in all three of them, which is just the way their creator John H. Johnson wanted it. He created Ebony in 1945 to show that "Negroes got married, had beauty contests, gave parties, ran successful businesses, and did all the other normal things of life." Ebony was still at it 60 years later when Mr. Johnson died this week - its 717th issue is on...

I don't remember everything that John H. Johnson, the pioneer black publisher, said when he was honored by the National Association of Black Journalists back in 1987. But I don't think I will never forget his three words of advice: "Make yourself indispensable."

Publisher John H. Johnson, whose Ebony and Jet magazines countered stereotypical coverage of blacks after World War II and turned him into one of the most influential black leaders in America, died Monday, his company said. He was 87.