Johnson Publishing Company Headquarters Chronicled in New Monograph, Highlighting Black Representation in Media
The legendary headquarters of the Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) at 820 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago is the subject of a newly released monograph, '820 Ebony/Jet: Visions of the Johnson Publishing Company, an American Icon.' Authored by architectural and design photographer Barbara Karant, the book chronicles the interiors of the 11-story modernist building, designed by architect John Moutoussamy and opened in 1972. John H. Johnson founded JPC with the aim of providing positive representation and inclusion for Black Americans through publications like Ebony and Jet magazines, at a time when Black representation in mainstream media was minimal. Karant spent 13 years documenting the vacant interiors of the building, which was purchased by Columbia College in 2010, capturing its vibrant and unique design.
