Ebony: Covering Black America by Lavaille Lavette (Rizzoli; Feb 2021)

Long before Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, Ebony magazine was Black America’s social media. In 1945, legendary founder and visionary John H. Johnson set out to create a magazine for Black America much like that of the trailblazing Life Magazine, and that he did. For the African American community, Ebony has been a breath of fresh air, speaking on issues and events from the Black perspective, celebrating Black standards of beauty and elevating heroes of Black America—athletes, entertainers, activists, elected officials, or some combination thereof.

EBONY: COVERING BLACK AMERICA (Rizzoli; February 2021), by Lavaille Lavette, is a celebration of the treasure trove of the magazine’s rich history, glamorous covers, groundbreaking cultural impact, and authentic coverage of Black American life from the magazine’s inception to the present.

In 1945, Ebony’s legendary founder John H. Johnson set out to create a magazine for Black America much like that of the trailblazing Life Magazine,and that he did. For the African American community, Ebonyhas been a breath of fresh air, speaking on issues and events from the Black perspective, celebrating Black standards of beauty and elevating heroes of Black America—athletes, entertainers, activists, elected officials,or some combination thereof. EBONY: COVERING BLACK AMERICA, by Lavaille Lavette, is a celebration of the treasure trove ofthemagazine’s rich history, glamorous covers, groundbreaking cultural impact, and authentic coverage of Black American life from the magazine’s inceptionto the present. “Ebony was Black America’s social media long before the birth of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram”, says Lavette. Rizzoli International Publications, Inc.300 Park Avenue SouthNew York, NY 10010Tel. (212) 387-3400Telefax (212) 387-3535

Curated by Lavette, this all-out feast of a book is packed with exclusive contributions by a host of celebrities, influencers, and cultural icons, including Common, Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade, Sean Combs, Kimora Lee Simmons, Ciara, and Venus Williams.

The book also includes more than 600 covers and photographs featuring political forces such as Martin Luther King Jr., Michelle and President Barack Obama, and Congresswoman Barbara Jordan; entertainers such as Diana Ross, Sidney Poitier, Dorothy Dandridge, Oprah Winfrey, and Prince; as well as sports heroes like Serena Williams, Muhammad Ali, Russell Westbrook, and Simone Biles. Lavette has chosen select articles, features, and reportage of note, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s advice column, and Ebony Fashion Fair photo shoots, divided into categories found within the magazine, including Civil Rights & Social Justice, Love & Family, Ebony Men,Ebony Women, and Ebony Music.

Unique in the quality of its photographs and contributors and chronicling everything from fashion and food to politics and social change, to sports and entertainment, EBONY: COVERING BLACK AMERICAis a monumental milestone in African-American history and culture, and will be a treasured volume for the magazine’s legion of loyal readers.

ABOUT   THE   AUTHOR: Lavaille   Lavetteis abest-selling   author,educator,   producer, social entrepreneur and the president and publisher of OneStreet Books and Ebony Magazine’s imprintEbony Publishing. With a master’s in education, Lavaille is a formerschool   district   administrator, speechwriter, marketing executive, and she served asspecial advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. RodPage(2001 -2005).

Beyond her work in community engagement, nonprofit and the education spheres with her bestselling series, The Adventures of Roopster Roux,Lavette is co-founder of Every Child an Author, (ECAA) Class-by-Class, School by School. ECAA is on a mission to make every child in America a published author, one grade level at a time.

Credit for the book must read: Ebony: Covering Black Americaby Lavaille Lavette,©Rizzoli New York, 2020. Photography to be credited on a case-by-case basis.Select press images will be made available, but no image may be used, in print or electronically, without written consent from the publisher. Serial rights are available; please contact Ron Longeat (917) 312-5571or rlonge@rizzoliusa.comEBONY: COVERING BLACK AMERICABy Lavaille LavetteWith contributions by Common, Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade, Sean Combs(Diddy), Kimora Lee Simmons, Ciara, and Venus WilliamsHardcover/ 9 1/3”x 12 1/3” /352pages / 800colorand black & whitephotographs$57.50U.S. / $75.00Canadian/ £44.00U.K.ISBN:978-0-8478-6901-5/ Rizzoli New York / Release date: February 202

Oprah Seen Wearing Gert-Johan Coetzee at Global Citizen Festival

Popular celebrity designer Gert-Johan Coetzee added an important global feather to his cap when Oprah Winfrey appeared on stage at the Global Citizen Festival on Sunday in a flowing sun-yellow silk kaftan he had created for her.

Winfrey addressed the crowd at FNB Stadium about the meaning of being a global citizen and mentioned the importance of community, of reaching out and making others feel cherished and less alone. The festival brought a stellar cast of global A-list performers to Johannesburg, South Africa, to celebrate what would have been Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday.

 “I always thought it was because Madiba was a citizen of the world, that he really got to see how the power of one leads to the empowerment of many,” Winfrey said.

The beloved talk-show host had visited Coetzee’s studio earlier in the week and had charmed the designer and his team with her humor, grace, and kindness. “It was such an honor to receive her, and to be given the opportunity to custom-make something really beautiful for her to wear,” says Coetzee. The kaftan was constructed from draped silk in a rich yellow, with a waistband decorated in traditional African hand-beading and Swarovski crystals.

Coetzee is no stranger to Winfrey’s South African interests, having mentored one of the students who had graduated from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls as part of his bursary programme. “I have always had wonderful, extremely professional experiences in my dealings with Ms. Winfrey’s school, so it was a pleasure to meet her and see first-hand why OWLAG has such an edge of accomplishment,” said Coetzee. “We are looking forward to growing the relationship further.”

First Lady Michelle Obama Says Farewell To The White House – Must See Interview

First Lady Michelle Obama looked stunning during her interview with Oprah Winfrey.  FLOTUS was seen on the CBS network wearing a Brandon Maxwell Shift Dress.  Personally, I adored the high fashion and use of bold accessories (purple pumps) during this television special but the hairstyles were gorgeous as well.

The new special FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA SAYS FAREWELL TO THE WHITE HOUSE — AN OPRAH WINFREY SPECIAL will be broadcast Monday, Dec. 19 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. OWN will air the second showing of the special on Wednesday, Dec. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). In the special, which taped on Dec. 14, Oprah Winfrey speaks to First Lady Michelle Obama for her final one-on-one interview inside the White House. During this exclusive interview in the First Family’s private residence, Mrs. Obama talks about life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, her eight years as First Lady of the United States, the legacy she’ll leave behind and her plans for the future. Photo: Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon

Michelle’s natural (chemical-free) hair was cut in a Blunt Bob and Oprah wore the perfect Ponytail.  Aside from the fashion and beauty displayed by both women, the CBS special addressed topics that can be related to women across the world.

The First Lady Michelle Obama discussed her experiences entering in The White House, national program initiatives such as Let’s Move, and raising her daughters in the public eye.

There was also a brief visit from President Barack Obama.  In closing, Michelle couldn’t forget to address that life changing quote “When They Go Low, We Go High” as we prepare for the upcoming inauguration.

To watch, click here:  An Oprah Winfrey Special:  First Lady Michelle Obama Says Farewell To The White House