Negro Digest

American magazine

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June 11, 2026

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Negro Digest was an American magazine founded in 1942 by John H. Johnson. It was Johnson's first publishing venture and was a pocket-sized magazine. The success of Negro Digest paved the way for Johnson to launch Ebony magazine in 1945, which was patterned after Life magazine but specifically for an African American readership. Negro Digest sold approximately 3,000 copies of its first issue, and within a year, its monthly circulation grew to 50,000.1

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John H. Johnson
…1942 he began publication of Negro Digest. Its first issue sold some 3,000 copies, and within a year the monthly circulation was 50,000. From that beginning, Johnson launched Ebony, a general-interest magazine catering to an African American audience, in 1945. Ebony’s initial pressrun of 25,000 copies was completely sold out.…
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…1942 he began publication of Negro Digest. Its first issue sold some 3,000 copies, and within a year the monthly circulation was 50,000. From that beginning, Johnson launched Ebony, a general-interest magazine catering to an African American audience, in 1945. Ebony’s initial pressrun of 25,000 copies was completely sold out.…
Read More