Eunice Johnson

Eunice Johnson was an entrepreneurial fashionista who was best known as the founder of the Ebony Fashion Fair, a traveling fashion show that showcased the work of black designers and models. Born in Selma, Alabama in 1916 but grew up in Chicago, Johnson was passionate about fashion from a young age and became the first black woman to graduate from the Tobe-Coburn School for Fashion Careers in New York City. In 1945, she and her husband, John H. Johnson, started Ebony Magazine, which became one of the most well-known publications in the black community.

In 1958, Johnson's passion for fashion led her to create the Ebony Fashion Fair, an annual traveling fashion show that showcased the latest styles from around the world and was a platform for black designers, models, and makeup artists who had been excluded from mainstream fashion shows. The show traveled to more than 200 cities in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean becoming one of the largest fashion events in history. Under Johnson's leadership, the Ebony Fashion Fair became a highly successful touring event, with shows featuring clothing from top designers such as Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and Givenchy. The shows also raised millions of dollars for charitable causes, including scholarships for black students and other philanthropic organizations.

In addition to her work with the Ebony Fashion Fair, Johnson was a prominent figure in the fashion industry and served as a member of the board of directors of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Johnson was also a philanthropist who supported numerous causes, including education, the arts, and civil rights. She established the Eunice W. Johnson Scholarship Foundation, which provided financial assistance to students pursuing careers in fashion, art, and other creative fields.

Johnson passed away in 2010 at the age of 93, but her impact on the fashion industry and her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion continue to inspire people around the world.