Ebony Magazine

The best magazines give an insight into the culture of the readership and the African American publication; Ebony Magazine is a prime example. Publication began in 1945 and it is issued every month. There is a wide variety of articles and its sister magazine, the digest size Jet, is also popular.

Political issues have featured prominently in Ebony Magazine and there have been many features on politicians and civil rights leaders. Serious African American issues are covered in depth, along with news and interviews with celebrities and sports stars. It was the first magazine to show black models in advertisements.

The magazine has an online version with a daily blog and podcast. Recipes are posted and there are interviews with people from the world of music, movies, dance, literature and design. Other features concern TV shows, technology, travel, fashion and beauty and food. There are also news and tips about health and fitness, money and parenting.

Readers can order back issues that they have missed and they can buy a gift subscription for family and friends. There is a line of Ebony Magazine greeting cards, on sale at Wal-Mart stores. Calendars are also available from the publishers. The Great Black Americans calendar for 2008 includes Luther Vandross and Lou Rawls. Jet magazine has produced two calendars to please the eye! The Beauty Calendar has the sexiest black women and the Brothers Calendar features the sexiest men.

More beauty is on show at the Annual Ebony Fashion Fair, which makes a tour of American cities. The latest Fair is the 50th one and it started in September 2007 to finish in May 2008. The show is presenting fashion trends from the past with a modern twist. Each ticket holder also receives a copy of the Ebony Fashion Fair magazine and an opportunity for discounted subscription to Ebony or Jet magazines. There is also a competition to win American Airlines tickets or a 2008 Ford Edge car.

The publishers also have a books division called JPC. African American authors feature and there is a wide variety of subjects covered. There are books on black history, children's books and biographies on famous figures, such as Martin Luther King. The Ebony Cookbook is mainly made up of soul food recipes from Ebony Magazine. The New Ebony Cookbook has more than 200 recipes, both traditional and more contemporary. It includes Caribbean Lobster Salad and Walnut Sweet Potato Pie.