A monthly lifestyle publication, Ebony Magazine has been shining a light on Black entertainment and experiences in America since 1945, earning a place in media history as a major player in the publishing game. No stranger to the industry, since taking over the helm from her late father - founder, John H. Johnson - media mogul Linda Johnson Rice has helped steer the organization into a new era; eventually rising to become the Chair and CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, the powerhouse also responsible for introducing JET Magazine to the world.

Always evolving, Rice has continued to make her own mark on the world while earning a string of accolades in the process. In addition to serving as the Chairwoman and CEO of JPC and Fashion Fair Cosmetics, in 2017, Rice also joined Tesla’s Board of Directors.

On October 6, 2018, Rice added yet another stripe to her storied belt, accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Ebony Magazine from the Greater Houston Black Chamber during the 24th annual Pinnacle Awards. Held at the popular Marriott Marquis Hotel, each year GHBC honors African-American entrepreneurs positively shaping and impacting their communities.

Taking a break from her notoriously hectic schedule, Johnson sat down with Houston Style Magazine to discuss the legacy of Ebony, how the industry has shifted and more. View the full list of 2018 Pinnacle nominees here.

On Ebony’s imprint and stories that have impacted her the most

I will tell you, I think we’ve produced some really wonderful editorials and wonderful covers that I’ve had the chance and opportunity to work on. From Michael Jackson, to Prince to Muhammad Ali, and that’s exciting, that part is very exciting, but I also love the stories we’ve done that have, I think has helped change people’s lives. We’ve done a lot of things on education, a lot of stories on health, I think those are incredibly important because it helps you to live your best life.

Learning how to adapt in a digital age and how Ebony has continued to transform

It’s hard to point to one thing, because there are so many different things that go on in producing a magazine or producing Ebony.com, and I think that the magazine is still well received but we’ve also had to change, as we all need to, and move into a digital form. So I think we’ve done a good job at that as well.

Staying relevant and current for over 70 years

That means you’ve got to have a great staff, young staff who have their finger on the pulse of the world, and that means that I’ve got to stay current as well. So it’s really important that you have a strong digital presence, and that’s been a bit of a shift for us.

Lessons learned in the field

I think we all wish we’d tried things sooner (laughs), but sometimes you have to sit back a little bit and let it marinate. Watch others and see what they’re doing, see the mistakes that they might make, so you don’t make those same mistakes. You want to make sure that you stay current and as forward thinking as you can.

Insight and advice for a new generation of journalists

I would say it seems simplistic, but you really have to write about what you love, and just keep writing. You really have to get out there. You keep writing. Put your work out there. Whether it’s just your own blog post that you’re doing, that’s important, because that’s how people get to see you. Also, you need to make the rounds of all these different websites and magazines and video production places. It’s hard work. It’s just basic hard work, but you’ve got to persevere. You have to believe in yourself and what you’re doing because you’re going to get no’s, that’s just the way the world works. You can’t get defeated.

Trying out another career

There are so many things I would love to do, I actually studied opera for six years (laughs) but that’s done. I enjoy film and theater and I would love to produce movies, I think that would be a lot of fun. I’m thinking of writing a book, that’s definitely on my bucket list to get done and to get accomplished. And you never know, my parents had incredible lives, and so maybe we bring their lives to the screen.

The importance of the Pinnacle Awards

Obviously I’m very honored, and it’s not me that’s getting the award, it’s really the accomplishments and achievements of Ebony and JET, and the reach that they have. And I know that they have touched people’s lives and changed people’s lives, and so that really is so important. It just shows that Ebony and JET are still very relevant and we’re not done; we have a bigger platform now that we have a digital platform, and we’re going to use that and to continue to grow that. I’m very honored to be here, and to be able to accept this on behalf of Ebony and JET.