Ebony Will Publish Extra Special Issue Focused On Black Males

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CHICAGO — Johnson Publishing Company, Inc., announced today that this winter it will publish a first-ever Extra Special Issue of Ebony that will focus exclusively on analyzing the many levels of disparities currently affecting black males in America.

While special issues are occasionally published, a spokesperson for the publishing giant said because of the current dire circumstances and conditions affecting black males an Extra Special Issue is needed to address concerns not being covered in other media sources.

The subtitle of the issue is “Can He Be Saved.” It will feature content from sociologists, criminologists, educators, psychologists, psychiatrists, politicians, preachers, ethnomusicologists, social commentators, and other professionals with pertinent viewpoints.

In an interview, Janet Richardson, executive managing editor of Ebony, said the issue will add crucial voices and content to the conversation around violence against black males.

Ms. Richardson said: “After Ferguson, Baltimore, the death of Eric Garner in New York, and the other recent murders of black males by white police officers, we feel it’s our duty as a black publisher to shine laser-sharp beams of Klieg lights on the current extraordinary sufferings being experienced by black males all across this country, which we think may be at its worst since slavery.”

The Extra Special Issue will include articles on social-emotional health, mental health, behavioral health, physical health, trauma, post-traumatic stress, and toxic stress.

When asked about a possible timeline for a similar issue for black females, Ms. Richardson said there are no current plans for such an issue.

“But don’t forget, we’ll still publish our Ebony Fashion Fair issue in December, and it always features excellent beauty and style tips for black females,” she said.

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Annis Minor-DeMinimus covers media and entertainment news.