U.S. Census Bureau Black History Month Feature for February 3

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily Black History Month feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3: JOHN JOHNSON

Profile America for the third day of Black History Month.  Clipping newspaper and magazine articles about African-Americans gave John Johnson an idea — one that not only made him wealthy and honored, but changed the self-perception of the black community.  The idea was to publish a magazine about African-Americans.  Borrowing $500 from his mother, Johnson brought out "Ebony" magazine in 1945, profiling rising African-American figures in business, politics and the arts.  Later, he added the weekly magazine "Jet."  Both proved to be widely read and influential. Now, there are 1.9 million black-owned businesses in the U.S., generating over $137 billion in annual revenue.  This special edition of Profile America is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.  

Sources:  U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features, CB11-FF.01

www.johnsonpublishing.com

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).  For further information, contact Rick Reed:  301-763-2812; fax: 301-763-3762; or e-mail: rreed-at-census.gov.

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau