Word on the street is that our love affair with the oldest African American purveyor of our rich history and textured culture is in need of couples counseling. According to Newsweek, "It's been a year of excruciating decisions for publishing companies—layoffs, pullbacks, closures. Now it appears Johnson Publishing’s chairman and CEO, Linda Johnson Rice, has reached what must have been an agonizing decision: Johnson Publishing is seeking a buyer or investor for its flagship publication, Ebony, in an effort aimed at securing the survival of the nation's oldest magazine devoted to African-American life. It's unclear whether the company's other properties, including Jet, would be part of a possible sale." Viacom, adoptive parents to BET, and Time Inc, Moms and Pop to Essence Mag, were cited on the speculative list of potential buyers.
According to the Sun Times, however, the 61-year old magazine has denied the Newsweek reports. Evident that there is serious financial hardship at Black Cool's Headquarters is the cancellation of the 2009 Ebony Fashion Fair. This is a first for the 51-year old traveling show. Due to lack of sponsorship dollars and other recession woes, funding has dried up for the anticipated annual tour. Insert black sad face. We die for the dramz that the divas drrrrrag down the aisle along with the Sashay Shantaes and the twirls and spins mainstreamed by the ANTM Swirl Twins! So deliciously purrrrrfect, right?!
As this story develops, we'll be paying veddy close attention; it's all over our radar. We personally HEART Ebony and it's monumental influence that has criss-crossed generations. Besides, we don't do break-ups... so a loving "goodnight" (with deuces chucked and a lashy wink) will have to suffice. Goodbyes make us gag!
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