https://www.ebony.com/exclusive/bhm-ebony-negroes-1940s/
John H. Johnson, who once used his mother’s furniture as security for a $500 loan, eventually went on to become one of the wealthiest black men in the United States. Johnson’s major business empire included Ebony and Jet Magazines. He also had holdings cosmetics, television and radio. In 1982, he was the first African-American to appear on Forbes Magazine’s list of the 400 wealthiest Americans. Johnson’s empire was so enormous that the media called him a rival with Playboy’s Hugh Hefner.
Johnson was the grandson of slaves. He was born in Arkansas City, Ark., on Jan. 19, 1918. His father was killed in a saw mill accident when Johnson was just a small boy. His mother later remarried another mill worker. Johnson attended segregated schools, but there was no high school for the black children. Rather than dropping out of school he repeated the eighth grade. In 1933, his family moved to Chicago. Johnson’s family struggled for money, and he later got a part-time job at the National Youth Administration. He also was attending an all-black high school and was the president of his class and editor of the school paper. He graduated in 1936, and spoke at a dinner held by the Urban League. Attendants were so impressed that Johnson was offered a job and a scholarship to attend the University of Chicago.
http://www.notablebiographies.com/newsmakers2/2006-Ei-La/Johnson-John-H.html
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