Douglas (Bronzeville) in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

John H. Johnson

1918-

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

John H. Johnson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

1. John H. Johnson Marker

Inscription. Founded Johnson Publishing Co., 1942

Erected 1996 by City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location. 41° 50.781′ N, 87° 37.071′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas (Bronzeville). It is on South Martin Luther King Drive south of Eastgate Place, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2536 South Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker: Dr. Daniel Hale-Williams (within shouting distance of this marker); Carter G. Woodson (within shouting distance of this marker); Nat “King” Cole (within shouting distance of this marker); Katherine Dunham (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Ida Gray Nelson Rollin (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Motts (within shouting distance of this marker); Monument to the Great Northern Migration (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Marjorie Stewart Joyner (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. Roughly 100 Bronzeville Walk of Fame markers are found around the neighborhood along Martin Luther King Drive between 25th and 35th Streets.

Regarding John H. Johnson. Johnson Publishing created publications aimed at African American audiences, namely with its signature magazine Ebony, first published in 1945, and Jet, created in 1951. John Johnson, who had moved to Chicago as a teenager, led the company from its founding until his death in 2005, and was succeeded by his daughter Eunice. In 2011, Johnson Publishing sold its Chicago Landmark headquarters at 820 S. Michigan Ave.,

John H. Johnson Marker on the west side of King Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

2. John H. Johnson Marker on the west side of King Drive

which was built in 1971 and remains the only downtown Chicago high-rise to be designed by a Black architect. In 2016, it sold off all of its publications, and three years later liquidated and closed for good.

Also see . . . John H. Johnson biography. From the HistoryMakers.

Excerpt: "Johnson was also the recipient of numerous awards that spanned decades, from the Spingarn Medal to the Most Outstanding Black Publisher in History Award from the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Johnson Publishing has also been named the number one black business by Black Enterprise four times. In 1996, President Bill Clinton awarded Johnson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. He also received more than thirty honorary doctoral degrees from institutions across the country, and served as a board member or trustee of numerous businesses and philanthropic and cultural organizations."

(Submitted on August 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.