After the end of World War II, EBONY launched as the lighter, more beautiful and engaging counterpart to its sister publication Negro Digest. When EBONY was published in 1945, it was designed to show Black people what the promise of plenty might look like. For eight decades, EBONY has been the trusted outlet for Black storytelling. The legacy continues.

The 1940s January 1946: Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington embodied all that was possible for Black people in post-war America. A leading figure in the development of jazz — the art form that came to be known as true American music — the Duke performed for white and Black audiences all around the world. EBONY chronicled his career and personal life through cover stories and features throughout his lifetime.

The 1950s

November 1950: The Priva

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