by Frank James
So which magazine was the first to get a sit down interview and photo shoot with President-elect Barack Obama?
Ebony Magazine, which was visited by the president-elect at its Chicago offices in the Michigan Ave. headquarters building of its parent, Johnson Publishing Co.
That Obama would give his first magazine and photo session to Ebony seems fitting. The magazine was a pioneer in publishing in much the way Obama's a trailblazer in politics.
Evolved from Negro Digest, which was founded in 1942 by John Johnson, Ebony for decades was one of the few periodicals African-Americans could turn to for images and stories about black strivers and movers and shakers rarely ever seen in the mainstream media.
A black person who made it to Ebony's cover had really made it in the larger sense. Obama is the ultimate African-American striver.
Also, the company's present chairman and chief executive Linda Johnson Rice, the founder's daughter, has long been a member of Chicago's black business and political aristocracy into which the Obama's have vaulted in recent years.
So all told, not a surprising choice that Ebony got Obama first.
The following is from Ebony's announcement of its coup of its interview yesterday:
The exclusive interview and cover shoot, held at the headquarters of Johnson Publishing Co. in Chicago, will be the centerpiece of Ebony magazine's January 2009 commemorative issue, which goes on sale nationwide Tuesday, December 9.
President-elect Obama spoke to Ebony magazine editorial director Bryan Monroe on a wide range of issues, including his historic election and international reaction, the future of America and how he hopes to tap the enthusiasm of the millions of supporters who have been mobilized by his election.
"I'm very humbled by the fact that I stand on the shoulders of all the people who made these incredible contributions to lift this country up," Obama told Ebony on Thursday.
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Comments
can't wait to read it!
Posted by: Erin | November 14, 2008 12:44 PM
With all respect, I only us as people / person as who he/she is/are and not by color, religion, creed or whatever...
Hope there will be unity... cross ethnic, cultural and all integration! I am not dreaming because this is America!
Peace... cannot wait to view the photos...
Posted by: Munki | November 14, 2008 1:08 PM
This is great for America. The interview would put Ebony in the "mainstream" of the other elite Magazines. We have"O" that's founded and owned by a An African American, but it's focus is mainly for Women, upper middle class, majority White women.
Now that Ebony has this exclusive, it will get the recognition it deserves. There isn't an African American family, over two generations that hasn't read an Ebony and/or Jet Magazine. Now that The President elect Obama will be featured, all of America can get a look at why Ebony was granted this first sit down and photo shoot...
And I can't wait to read and see it too!!!
Posted by: SJW | November 14, 2008 1:56 PM
I'm very glad.It seemed as if he was turning his back on his"ROOTS".
I don't remember him doing any kind of "black media" after he announced he was running.I could be wrong on that,and hopefully I am.
Posted by: Robert | November 14, 2008 2:12 PM
Looking forward to the copy. They did an excellent cover with him not too far back
Posted by: CheckTheIngredients | November 14, 2008 2:47 PM
President Elect Obama (as well as his superwoman wife Michelle) has done tons of interview with African American press. He's done Essence, and has been in Ebony, Upscale Magazine, talked with Michael Baisden, Steve Harvey and Tom Joyner plenty of times on-air, has done interviews with Jeff Jones of BET, sat down with Roland Martin on TV1, need I go on?? I've followed Obama since 2004, and especially since he announced his candidacy. He never left his "roots", but at the same time, he proved to Americans that he will be the President for ALL Americans, not just Black folks.
Posted by: stephanie | November 14, 2008 3:08 PM
This is a good look for Obama. With Obama being the first president and probably also the first president to be on the front cover of Vibe???
Posted by: Obama for Mankind! | November 14, 2008 3:25 PM
Ebony is a good selection for his first post-election magazine interview. Also, he passes the Ebony building on his way to work everyday.
Posted by: Hoodwinked | November 14, 2008 4:23 PM
This edition will probably sell more copies than the newspapers after election day.
And who knows, it may actually get some white people reading Ebony.
Posted by: Debi | November 14, 2008 4:29 PM
As others have posted, he has hardly turned his back on his black roots. This man is way too smart and genuine for that.
Personally, as an older white woman, I have total confidence in him and am not going to question his judgment until he gives me reason to do so.
Posted by: maria | November 14, 2008 4:29 PM
Robert, STOP IT, please! He is the president of the USA, not his roots. I am a sista and never once that I think Obama was not putting any group to the side, including us. Majority of black folks (99.9999%) disagree with ignorant statements like yours, so leave it alone!
Posted by: Kiya | November 14, 2008 4:32 PM
Is John Johnson any relation to moron Bob Johnson of BET? Barack is not just a black/african american president. He is half black african and white american, actually he is a true "african american". He represents all people especially white and black. As a black woman I don't mind sharing him, because all kinds of people help elected him. I am proud of him and wish all the best for him and his family.
Posted by: Michelle Rochester | November 14, 2008 4:42 PM
Correction "O" is not founded and owned by an African American. It is owned by Hearst. This is not to denigrate Oprah's contribution to the magazine. We just need to have he facts straight.
Posted by: Emmanuel Jackson | November 14, 2008 6:22 PM
I think it is marvelous. For nearly 50 years Ebony has chronicled the march of Black people throughout American history in a respectful, honorable and decent manner. It is a fitting tribute, as Obama said, to all those who paved the way in struggle - that Ebony get the honor of the first cover.
Posted by: treynana | November 14, 2008 7:36 PM
To all of you people who keep saying he is Black and White so why is he being giving Ebony the first interview... we can say the same about previous presidents giving Time and Newsweek the first interview. President Elect Obama has parents who are Black African and White American but you know what he considers himself to be African American and you ask why maybe because the U.S. government has always considered people who had one drop of Black blood to be Black. Black people did not start this policy it was the White government that made this the rule... so get over it... President Elect Obama considers himself to be African American. So can we move on to more pressing issues like our economy!
Posted by: Kenyon | November 14, 2008 8:07 PM
TIME was all sold out with Obama on the cover, but then I remembered: He'll be on the front of EBONY, which I have been getting for years. I'm so glad I renewed my subscription!!! Talk about a KEEPER... this will be IT!!!!
Posted by: Dawson | November 14, 2008 10:00 PM
Emm.J.,
I'm glad to stand corrected... but the mag. is named "O" for Oprah... and my point wasn't the ownership but more of the image and it's targeted readers...
Posted by: SJW | November 15, 2008 1:31 AM
Ditto what Stephanie said....President Elect Obama has been heard via several Black media outlets. Therefore, he definitely did not turn his back on his "roots". Further, the election proved that he is the 'peoples' president; not just a black president.
Posted by: purplelotus | November 15, 2008 1:49 AM
I tried three times to post a comment. I typed in the correct spam letter three times, but my comment was rejected each time with a message that I had failed to enter the correct letter. Please send me an email explaining how I didn't type the letter "v" correctly for your spam filter.
Posted by: Sue Caspari | November 15, 2008 2:09 AM
Although Barack Obama did not run as a Black candidate, his accomplishment is so groundbreaking for African Americans that it is fitting he gave Ebony the first interview. His achievement is an important point of discussion for parents and children generally, but especially as a role model African American parents can share with their children. You do not have to be Black to go get a copy of Ebony to read. President-elect Obama will certainly sit for Time and Newsweek interviews in due time. To the person who asked about Bob Johnson, I believe he put out a rival publication back in the late 1990's. Bob Johnson's Emerge folded--Ebony, founded by John Johnson, lives on.
Posted by: Sue Caspari | November 15, 2008 2:19 AM
He is so gorgeous:)
Posted by: Lucy | November 15, 2008 9:29 AM
I look forward to the magazine.
Posted by: williams | November 16, 2008 10:53 AM
Electing Barack Obama is what's good for an ailing America and the World at large.
His intelligence to rule will show that in
order for the world to advance, all races
must advance. I think this man was sent to us to right our wrongs; black and white. With such an overwhelming
nod from the international community; he will do us proud and restore the four legs that our seat used to stand on. May God guide him to do the best things for America, to improve our lot, that the World will once again look up to our lofty status.
Posted by: Earl Panton | December 4, 2008 3:19 AM
Electing Barack Obama is what's good for an ailing America and the World at large.
His intelligence to rule will show that in
order for the world to advance, all races
must advance. I think this man was sent to us to right our wrongs; black and white. With such an overwhelming
nod from the international community; he will do us proud and restore the four legs that our seat used to stand on. May God guide him to do the best things for America, to improve our lot, that the World will once again look up to our lofty status.
Posted by: Earl Panton | December 4, 2008 3:26 AM