Explore a diverse collection of black magazines online free and download back issues of historical african american magazines (PDF). Our archive offers vital insight into the culture and history of black people magazine, featuring foundational titles, publications focused on black women, and resources for African American history.
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Table of contents
Foundational Black Magazines for News and Culture
Explore the most significant and historical black magazines that shaped national conversation. This collection of african american magazines provides vital insight into the history and culture of black people magazines in the US from the 20th century onwards.
Black Enterprise
Black Enterprise Magazine Website
1970-2000
US: Earl G. Graves Ltd.
BLACK ENTERPRISE is the ultimate source for wealth creation for African American professionals, entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Every month, BLACK ENTERPRISE delivers timely, useful information on careers, small business and personal finance.
Black World/Negro Digest
1961-1976
Negro Digest 1942-1961 (Black & White)
Johnson
“The Negro Digest, later renamed Black World, was a magazine for the African-American market. Founded in November 1942 by publisher John H. Johnson, founder of Johnson Publishing Company, it was first published locally in Chicago, Illinois.” – Wikipedia.
The Colored American Magazine
1900-1909
New York: Moore Publishing
The Colored American Magazine was an American monthly publication that solely covered African American culture, playing a vital role in the promotion and development of African American literature, culture and history at the beginning of the twentieth century.
The Crisis
The Crisis Magazine Website
1911-2011
U.S.: NAACP
The Crisis, founded by W.E.B. Du Bois as the official publication of the NAACP, is a journal of civil rights, history, politics, and culture and seeks to educate and challenge its readers about issues that continue to plague African Americans and other communities of color. For nearly 100 years, The Crisis has been the magazine of opinion and thought leaders, decision makers, peacemakers and justice seekers. It has chronicled, informed, educated, entertained and, in many instances, set the economic, political and social agenda for our nation and its multi-ethnic citizens.
Ebony
Ebony Magazine Website
Vol 15 No. 1 (Nov 1959) to Vol 64 No. 2 (Dec 2008)
Ebony 1945-1961 (Black & White)
Chicago, IL
Ebony free magazine archive. “Ebony is a monthly magazine for the African-American market. It was founded by John H. Johnson in Chicago and has published continuously since the autumn of 1945. In 2016 Johnson sold the publication to private equity firm Clear View Group.” -Wikipedia.
Jet
Jet Magazine Website
1951-2008
Chicago, IL
“Jet is marketed to African-American readers. It was founded in 1951 by John H. Johnson of the Johnson Publishing Company in Chicago, Illinois, as an American weekly. ” – Wikipedia. Old Jet magazines free.
Tan
1950-1961
U.S.: John H. Johnson
TAN was an American magazine published monthly by Johnson Publishing Company. Launched in 1950 as TAN Confessions, it acquired its abbreviated name in 1952 and published content aimed at the African-American community. In 1971, it changed its title to Black Stars with volume numbering restarting at 1.
African American Magazines for Black Women’s Lifestyle
Discover contemporary magazines focused on lifestyle, fashion, and issues relevant to black people magazines, particularly the black female audience.
Essence African-American Magazine
Essence Magazine Website
2015-2016
U.S.: American
“Essence is a lifestyle publication for African American women of all ages, shapes, and cultures.” – Publisher. Essence magazine back issues.
African American Newspapers
Websites of a variety of African American newspapers from around the U.S.
African American Newspaper Collection
BlackPast African American Newspapers
U.S.: Various Publishers
Links to the websites of current African American newspapers around the U.S.
Related Resources and Articles on Black People Magazines
Find a collection of links and resources about the history of black magazines and broader african american magazines content, including historical articles and newspaper features.
Articles about African American History
A collection of links here at Century Past to articles related to Black History.
Explore More Free Online Resources
Discover further collections of free online books and other free online materials on these Century Past pages.