EBONY Salutes Black Music Legends in Special Collector’s Edition

                                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    

EBONY Salutes Black Music Legends in Special Collector’s Edition

The four-cover series celebrates Black Music Month

CHICAGO (May 5, 2014) — In celebration of Black Music Month, EBONY magazine pays tribute to the industry’s leaders, pioneers and game changers.  Inside the June issue, EBONY honors both the present-day success stories and the giants who paved the way. 

The issue is presented in a four-cover series, with Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kanye West and Rihanna gracing the covers as a salute to their unprecedented impact on Black music.  One of the most critically acclaimed voices in urban music culture, Kevin Powell, lends EBONY his pen and probes the connection between the ruling musical icons and how they compare with legends of the past. 

“It was an honor to write the four cover stories for EBONY magazine’s Black Music Month special collector’s edition, and to also pen the additional four mini-features inside,” said Powell. “Rarely do you see today’s unstoppable stars like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kanye West and Jay Z packaged with legends like Tina Turner, Donna Summer or Tupac Shakur, but we did it because when it comes to Black music, it is important to note the deep connection between the musicians of yesterday and today,” he added. 

Inside EBONY, Powell paints a picture of the parallels between several music geniuses, regardless of the era they reigned.  For example, Kanye and Tupac are both recognized as the poets who defined their own rules in the industry. 

“They are brothers from another planet – the one they built themselves,” said Powell in the article as he referenced Kanye and Tupac.  “Love them or hate them, there is no denying that these two bad boys of hip-hop make our culture so electric and so hard to ignore.”

Additional artists highlighted include Usher, Prince, Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige. 

However, it is impossible to recognize the idols of Black music, without acknowledging those of the jazz era.  EBONY also pays homage to Blue Note Records, the most respected and longest-running jazz label in the world, as the company celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.  Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Art Blakey were just a few of the legendary musicians on Blue Note Records, and now trailblazers such as Robert Glasper are continuing to carry the torch for the prestigious label. 

The tribute continues as EBONY reveals the 10 music artists to watch – with Judith Hill, Childish Gambino and Lecrae on the list to name a few, the seven most epic battles in Black music and a guide to the best festivals, concerts and new music releases for the summer. 

Readers can find the June issue of EBONY on newsstands May 6. 

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ACTRESS ANGELA BASSETT GRACES EBONY MAGAZINE COVER

                                                  IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    

EBONY Talks to Angela Bassett About Insecurity and Success and Reveals Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Portfolio of Celebrity Icons for Annual Hollywood Issue

 Magazine Explores the State of Black Feminism; Launches White House Partnership and Counts Down Spring’s Hottest Fashion Trends

CHICAGO (February 5, 2013) — EBONY magazine salute’s Black Hollywood with actress Angela Bassett gracing the cover, reveals never-before-seen images of our biggest celebrities and crowns the next generation of stars. Bassett is currently mesmerizing her fans in her captivating role as voodoo priestess, Marie Laveau, on the FX series American Horror Story: Coven, while also receiving acclaim for her role in Black Nativity during the holiday season.  Many know Bassett for being strong, poised and resilient; however, the talented actress opened up to EBONY magazine and revealed that she also has moments of doubt and insecurity. However, she gives readers the scoop on how to exude the same sense of confidence that she possesses while also keeping her feet firmly on the ground.  As the actress reflected on moments when it was hard to secure a role, she offers the following advice on how to keep going: “You’ve got to keep a good attitude.  You can’t think, ‘This is it [during the lean times], because that’s when it’s going to break open for you. You’ve got to be ready; you’ve got to be prepared.” “Whatever you’re dealing with seems like a mountain to you, but we truly aren’t in it alone. Sometimes we need others to talk us off the cliff or to just talk to us or to be there with us [in order] to support us or love us.”Despite being a part of Hollywood’s elite and being armed with an Ivy League degree from Yale University, Bassett discusses why pursuing excellence and staying grounded is so important to her. “I understand where I come from; the strength and the people I come from. I know what has been endured and sacrificed.” This issue also features a salute to young Hollywood’s hottest new game-changers like  Lupita Nyong’o, Quvenzhane Wallis, Zendaya Coleman and Michael B. Jordan just to name a few.  Plus, EBONY magazine’s photo director Dudley Brooks opens the archives to share exclusive behind-the-scenes images of some of our biggest stars like Beyonce, Gabrielle Union and Denzel Washington as you’ve never seen them before.

Also featured in the March Issue:

·         Black Feminism Today: Thanks to social media and a host of brave new voices in pop culture, America is engaging in a robust new dialogue about the state of Black women and the fight for equality.

·         Spring Fashion Workbook: Get the inside scoop on the hottest new beauty, style and grooming trends for women and men

·         Diary of a Sex Addict: EBONY uncovers the secret world of women struggling with an addiction few people understand and explores how women can get help for this debilitating condition.

·         Financial Success Stories: Real people share their blueprints for going from broke to blessed by launching a million dollar home-based business, building a perfect credit score and going to college for free.

·         EBONY’s Top Chefs: With a celebrity panel of judges EBONY salutes the best chefs in America.

·         White House Partnership: EBONY announces a groundbreaking partnership with the Obama administration to explore the magazine’s six-part “Saving Our Sons” editorial package with a series of town hall discussions and workshops.

The March issue of EBONY magazine hits newsstands on February 4th.     

Courtesy of 

Vanessa Arbon of Johnson Publishing Company 

Media & Communications 

Ebony Magazine 

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JET MAGAZINE NEWEST ISSUE: IN STORES TODAY ON NEWSSTANDS

JET Magazine 

Highlights Must-See Upcoming Black Films

The issue also presents the top technology news for 2013

CHICAGO, Ill. (October 11, 2013) — In the November 4 issue of JET magazine, the publication spotlights some of the most critically acclaimed films due to release this season, representing an array of established and up-and-coming Black actors, directors and producers.

T.D. Jakes graces the cover and discusses his new TV show, upcoming film and how he has utilized modern technology to reach the masses on a spiritual level.  While he is nationally known as a spiritual leader, he has also gained recognition for producing popular African-American films such as Jumping the Broom, Sparkle and Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day.

“The great commission calls Christians to go into the world and spread the Good News,” says Jakes.  “We can use television, we can use books, but there are more people in the theaters on Friday nights than the pews on Sunday morning.”

The media mogul dishes to JET about the latest medium added to his arsenal – a talk show.  T.D. Jakes: Mind, Body & Soul, airing now on BET, uses celebrities and guests to address issues plaguing our community. But the ground breaking national platform isn’t his only big reveal. On Thanksgiving Day, Fox Searchlight will release Jakes’ film, Black Nativity, an adaption of Langston Hughes’ 1961 play, which stars Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker and Tyrese Gibson, to name a few.

In support of 12 Years a Slave hitting theaters on October 18, JET also features actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, who is garnering much Oscar buzz for his captivating performance as Solomon Northup, a free Black man kidnapped and sold into slavery.

“Against everything, the love and the passion that Solomon has for his family really spoke to me, and that’s what I really wanted to uncover,” says Ejiofor regarding his role in the film.

JET also highlights another actor on the verge of superstardom. The Spotlight section introduces readers to Skylan Brooks, known for his roles in iCarly and Our Family Wedding. The teen is gaining praise for his dramatic portrayal of Mister, a young man coping with the hardships of living with a drug-addicted parent in the film, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete. 

“There were many hard stories that influenced me,” says Brooks on his preparation for the role. “I met kids with parents on drugs and they had to get away from that by going to facilities. They taught me so much. I did not know it was that bad,” he explained. 

The film hits theaters on October 11 and is directed by George Tillman Jr.; produced by Grammy winner Alicia Keys; and stars Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson.

In addition to highlighting what’s new in movie theaters, the issue also covers the top technology news in 2013, including:

·         How classrooms are transitioning from textbooks to digital study aids

·         The technological education needed for today’s manufacturing jobs

·         Innovative inventions, such as Google Glass

·         How to stop and prevent online and text bullying among your children

·         Tips for online dating 

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