Ebony Magazine Moving Headquarters to Los Angeles
Ebony magazine is cutting nearly a third of its staff and consolidating editorial operations with sister publication Jet in Los Angeles — a major shake-up for the venerable Chicago-based chronicler of the African-American experience.
A monthly lifestyle magazine that has called Chicago home since it was launched in 1945, Ebony is laying off about 10 of 35 employees, including editor-in-chief Kyra Kyles. Tracey Ferguson, who became the Los Angeles-based editor of Jet in February, will be responsible for both magazines going forward.
"There was a significant consolidation of the editorial staff as well as some of the digital staff," Michael Gibson, co-founder and chairman of Ebony owner CVG Group, said Friday.
Ebony Media will retain a downsized Chicago office after the magazine pulls up stakes for the West Coast, Gibson said. Linda Johnson Rice, newly renamed Ebony Media CEO, will remain in her role and will be based in Chicago.
Johnson Publishing, the family-owned business that founded Ebony and Jet, sold both publications to Texas-based private equity firm CVG Group in May 2016 for an undisclosed price. Since then, Ebony has struggled to find its footing under the new owners, plagued by everything from delayed subscription deliveries to unpaid freelance writers.
While new issues of Ebony have continued to hit newsstands, subscribers haven't received copies of the magazine since the November issue, Gibson said, a problem he attributed to a change in printers in December.
"The old printer was committed to finishing up the December-January subscription (issue) and sending those out. At some point, the old printer backed off of that commitment," Gibson said.
Copies of Ebony through the April-May issue have reached newsstands. Gibson said the new printer, Wisconsin-based Quad/Graphics, will print the December-January issue for Ebony's 1.2 million subscribers, who he said will receive all back issues within 60 to 90 days.
In April, freelance writers for Ebony, who contribute a large amount of the magazine's content, took to social media to complain that they hadn't been paid for months. Gibson said Friday that the magazine is "100 percent committed to getting those people paid."
Ferguson, who previously served as editor-in-chief for Jones Magazine, a fashion and beauty magazine for women of color, opened the Los Angeles office for Ebony Media when she took the helm of Jet in February.
Formerly a weekly digest, Jet became a digital-only publication in 2014 but is set to return to print on a quarterly basis this year. The magazine targets an urban millennial audience.
Founded by John Johnson, Ebony has been the centerpiece of a Chicago publishing dynasty for more than 70 years. Gibson said there are no plans to change the format of Ebony, which has documented and shaped African-American culture throughout its history, coming of age as it reported from the front lines of the Civil Rights movement during the 1960s in powerful photos and prose.
Its recent history has been somewhat rockier as the publisher struggled to adapt to the evolving digital media landscape.
In 2010, Desiree Rogers, the former social secretary for President Barack Obama, became CEO of Johnson Publishing and made a number of moves to shore up the company's finances. Those included taking on a minority partner in 2011 and taking the money-losing weekly digest Jet out of print circulation.
Johnson Publishing put its entire photo archive up for sale in January 2015, hoping to raise $40 million. The historic collection spans seven decades of African-American history, chronicling everyone from Martin Luther King Jr. to Sammy Davis Jr.
The collection remained with Johnson Publishing after the sale of the magazines.
#RHoA: Bye Bye Phaedra! SHE’S FIRED!
Pic courtesy of Starcasm.net
Phaedra Parks has parted ways with The Real Housewives of Atlanta after the shocking reunion episode on Sunday, May 7.
A source close to the show admitted that the 43-year-old attorney will not be returning for season 10 after starring on seven seasons of the hit reality show. “Phaedra is not coming back as of now,” a source tells Us. “Bravo is not planning to ask her back.” (Bravo had no comment.)
Parks’ departure comes after the finale of the four-part season 9 reunion revealed that she spread a rumor that Kandi Burruss and her husband, Todd Tucker, were planning to drug and take home fellow cast member Porsha Williams. When host Andy Cohen said that she was caught in a “megawatt lie,” Parks said, “What more can I do? I apologized already and the person I’m most concerned about is Porsha. I’m sorry that it hurt Kandi as well.”
Sources previously said in late April that the reunion episodes were “disastrous” for Parks. “It would be understandable if Phaedra didn’t come back, but it’s not finalized yet,” the source said. “It wouldn’t be Phaedra’s decision, but Bravo’s. It’s bad.” The insider added that that Parks’ actions were “incredibly painful and shocking.”
At the time, Parks’ rep slammed the rumors that the lawyer was fired as “untrue.”
Parks’ exit could mean more screen time for Kim Zolciak-Biermann, who will be returning to RHOA for season 10. The Don’t Be Tardy star “won’t be a full-time Housewife, but will be in a smaller role,” a source told Us in April. “How many episodes she’s in is being determined.”
#EMPIRE: Taraji P. Henson Shines at MTV Movie & TV Awards 2017
Taraji P. Henson sparkles in her dress on the red carpet at the 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday (May 7) in Los Angeles.
The Empire actress met up with Tyrese Gibson on the carpet where the two shared a playful interaction.
FYI: Taraji is wearing an Emilio Pucci dress and Casadei shoes…LOOKS FAB!
#NEWMUSIC From Ne-Yo – Earn Your Love
After spitting some affirming bars over Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble,” the R&B crooner pulls inspiration from Tupac on “Earn Your Love.”
Over a melodic track that samples 2Pac’s classic “I Get Around,” Ne-Yo makes a stand for a woman’s priceless nature and his willingness to work for her real love.
“Make me earn your love / Show you that I’m worthy of it / Let me prove to you I’m worthy of it … Mr. Shakur said it best, when he said / ‘Hate to sound sleazy, but tease me / I don’t want it if it’s that easy,’” he sings.
Ne-Yo captioned the new song writing: “A Good Man will earn you. He’ll work for it and won’t mind working for it because he recognizes your worth. Ladies, find a man that’ll ‘Earn Your Love.’ Enjoy this appetizer guys. Album coming soon.”
Ne-Yo is presently finishing up his untitled seventh studio album, which follows 2015’s Non-Fiction.
Listen to “Earn Your Love” HERE
#HIPHOPNEWS: Meek Mill & Yo Gotti Announce ‘Against All Odds Tour’
Meek Mill and Yo Gotti are going “Against All Odds” this summer.
Set to kick off July 5 in Cleveland, the rappers’ joint tour is scheduled to hit 21 cities including Detroit, Boston, New York City, Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles, before wrapping in Seattle on Aug. 8.
Meek, who just released his Meekend Music EP and the Tory Lanez-assisted “Litty” video, is promoting his DC4 LP as well. Meanwhile, Yo Gotti is supporting his albums White Friday and The Art of Hustle, which dropped last year.
Fans recently caught a glimpse of what they can expect from the tourmates during Chris Brown’s “Party Tour” stop in Atlanta. Both Meek and Gotti were surprise guests during Fabolous’ star-studded set.
TIDAL members will have early access to “Against All Odds” tickets with a pre-sale starting Tuesday (May 9). Citi cardmembers will have their pre-sale on Wednesday (May 10), and general tickets will be made available Friday (May 12).
AGAINST ALL ODDS TOUR
July 5 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
July 6 – Indianapolis, IN – Klipsch Music Center
July 7 – Detroit, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
July 9 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
July 12 – Boston, MA – Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell
July 14 – New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom
July 15 – Reading, PA – The Santander Arena
July 18 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion
July 19 – Charlotte, NC – Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre
July 21 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
July 22 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
July 23 – Miami, FL – Bayfront Park Amphitheatre
July 25 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium
July 27 – New Orleans, LA – UNO Lakefront Arena
July 28 – Houston, TX – Revention Music Center
July 29 – Austin, TX – HEB Center at Cedar Park
July 30 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
Aug. 1 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
Aug. 3 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre
Aug. 4 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
Aug. 8 – Seattle, WA – WaMu Theater
Ricky Martin Joins Edgar Ramirez on 'Versace: American Crime Story' Set
Edgar Ramirez is hard at work on the upcoming Versace: American Crime Story season and he was joined on set by a new guest star – Ricky Martin!
The guys were seen in costume on the set of the FX series on Monday afternoon (May 8) in Miami, Fla.
Edgar dyed his hair blond for his role as Gianni Versace and he was recently spotted on set alongside his co-star Darren Criss, who is playing the man who killed Versace in real life.
Chris Brown Addresses Karrueche & Jacob York
Chris Brown is sick and tired of Karrueche Tran and her manager, Jacob York.
The singer claims his ex and York are on a mission to destroy him by using his past to paint him as an abuser.
Again, Breezy stated he has not been served and he has no plans of going to court to admit he’s guilty of anything Karrueche has accused him of.
In case you missed it, Kae said Chris punched her in the stomach and dragged her down a flight of stairs.
Responding to a post on Baller Alert, Chris got everything off of his chest writing:
I’m so sick of these thirsty adults. Jacob has the obsession. Her team is trying their best. For what? No on has served me and the lengths they are going, I should call them stalkers.
What’s even more f**ked up is that, they played off of my past by saying I abused her. Cmon now, opening old wounds to make Kae a victim, that’s some evil sh*t. Sad part is y’all believe it. “Leave her alone.”
Provoking me to spazz so they can have something. Notice that this sh*t happens when they need to promote something. No one cares, especially me. Thats’t why I’m being slandered. Nobody will care abut them if my name isn’t involved.
I want nothing to do with her…you think I wanna chase or still be with someone who would try to destroy me??? She doesn’t need a restraining from me. I need one from them.
And I will not just accept papers from any lawyer and I will not go to court to admit guilt to further tarnish who I am.
I pled guilty in the Rihanna case because I was. I refuse to allow these evil hearted people to label me and lie because they think it will skyrocket their career.
Just stay away from me.
Do you believe there’s any truth to Karrueche’s accusations or she really is trying to destroy Chris?
Kanye West Charity Scam Exposed?
Kanye West on the hot seat after raising over $1 million for the Kanye West foundation and only giving away a tiny fraction of the amount...
According to The Business Insider the Kanye West foundation raised $1.9 million between 2008 and 2010 but only provided $7,695 in grants, contributions and donations.
The rest went on salaries and overhead.
The Kanye West Foundation was created to combat the severe dropout problem in schools across the United States by providing under-served youth access to music production programs.
The foundation is currently being dissolved.
‘The Bachelor’s Chris Soules Charged With Felony Hit And Run
Former The Bachelor star Chris Soules formally was charged with felony hit and run today in connection with an April 24 crash that left a tractor driver dead in rural Iowa. According to court documents obtained by the Des Moines Register, Soules will be arraigned May 23 in Independence, IA, when he will enter a plea. The Class D felony carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $7,000 fine
Beyonce’s Father Mathew Knowles Not Invited To Twins Delivery
She’s worried, he’ll show up unannounced.
The countdown is on for the big day that Beyonce delivers her already famous twin babies. Reportedly, the singer and Jay Z plan to have their newborns in Los Angeles, at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center.
According to a new report, Beyonce has one concern regarding her upcoming delivery — her father and former manager Mathew Knowles. An insider claims that Beyonce has not invited Mathew.
She is fearful that he’ll show up uninvited like he did with [their five-year-old daughter] Blue. She doesn’t want him anywhere nearby on her special day. She fully expects everything to be perfect as they become a family of five.
Reportedly, Bey’s mother, Tina Lawson, is the point person who will help ensure that the day goes as smooth as possible.
She isn’t easy to get along with, and she will be even more demanding than Beyoncé. Jay knows to let her take over and stay out of her way.
An insider adds, [They] prepared an A and a B team as decoys to confuse photographers and fans, and everyone signed confidentiality agreements. Jay and Beyoncé have also been arguing with the hospital about the use of security cameras. Jay doesn’t want cameras in the room, hallways or elevators, which is an impossible request. They also made a plan to have everything fully catered so they don’t have to socialize in the hospital.
Bey’s due date has not been revealed. According to multiple reports, she’s planning to have a C-section.
Mariah Carey Parties PANTY FREE In Los Angeles!
Mariah Carey hit the town in Los Angeles on Thursday night and opted out of wearing undergarments.
The diva attended a friend’s birthday at Tao in Los Angeles in a gorgeous white, very low-plunging, cut out dress, clearly not fit for undies — after all, who likes a panty line?
The beauty’s non-existent panties and busting cleavage, however, were completely overshadowed by the birthday gifts she gave her dear friend.
While outside the venue, TWO expensive cars rolled up with bows attached to the front. One of the vehicles was a brand new, black, murdered out G Wagon. Jelly!
According to reports, Carey also attended the party with none other than former Lakers player, Rick Fox. Earlier this week, the two sparked dating rumors after being photographed leaving 1OAK nightclub in Las Vegas. Cameras even captured Fox going in for a goodnight kiss.
Fox and Carey’s budding romance comes just weeks after the multi Grammy Award-winning singer ended her short-lived relationship with dancer, Bryan Tanaka.
Antonio Sabato Jr is Running for Congress in California
Antonio Sabato Jr is trading Hollywood sets for Congress.
The 45-year-old actor reportedly filed documents with the Federal Election Commission on challenging Rep. Julia Brownley on Monday (May 8), according to the LA Times.
Antonio will be going against the democratic representative of the southern central coast in the upcoming 2018 election.
Antonio reportedly found inspiration to run for office throughout the most recent presidential election – where he often voiced his support for President Trump and even took the stage during the Republican National Convention back in July.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Marco!
Meet Marco! So you know what to do to see more. Just CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PICS and remember they’re NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN NOR ALTER any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
You’re Welcome!
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES?
ADDED HEIGHT
How’s the air up there? Lonely and virgin-like? Oh. Sorry to hear that
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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