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
Black Magazines for News and Culture
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.
Ebony Jr.
1973-1985
Chicago: John Johnson
From the publisher of Ebony magazine; this one is for children.
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.
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.
The Journal of African American History
Journal of African American History Website
1916-2020
Chicago: University of Chicago
A Journal of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Formerly titled “The Journal of Negro History”. It has long been the leading scholarly publication on African American life and history.
Journal of Black Studies
Journal of Black Studies Website
2007-2015
Sage Publications
Academic journal. The first 10 of 11 links at this site appear to contain all issues for that year.
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.
U.S. Black Engineer and Information Technology
U.S. Black Engineer and IT Magazine Website
1984-2012
Baltimore, MD: Career Communications Group
Devoted to engineering, science, and technology and to promoting opportunities in those fields for Black Americans.
Women of Color
Women of Color Magazine Website
2001-2012
Baltimore, MD: Career Communications Group
For today’s career women in business and technology.
African American Newspapers
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.
Black American Periodicals
Late 20th Century
Various Organizations
Seven radical political publications: Black Americans for Democracy News, Times – Black Americans for Democracy, Black Dialogue, Freedomways, The Bad Times, Grassroot Struggle, Muhammad Speaks.
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.
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