Celebrating Black history/Black love: a message from the president & CEO Linda Johnson Rice

For the 21st consecutive year, we present, as we do each February, our special Black History and Black Love issue, which over the years has proven to be our most popular and most-anticipated issue. The combination of these two subjects has been so attractive to EBONY readers because both elements are integral parts of their lives.

In the years before we combined the presentation of Black History and Black Love, each February, in recognition of Black History Month, our singular focus was to honor people and events of our past in the same fashion that Carter G. Woodson, the "Father of Black History," hoped the original Black History Week would "dramatize the achievements of persons of African blood."

Today, we remain true to Dr. Woodson's hopes and dreams by continuing to highlight and embrace Black history. For example, this issue includes an article that focuses on the vast and significant contributions that Black sororities and fraternities have made throughout the years to strengthen the Black community. In addition, the feature "Saving Black Art Collections" highlights an ongoing effort by hundreds of dedicated people (professional and ordinary folks) who. are trying to collect the neglected documents and artifacts about Black history (in the garages, attics, basements, etc.) and to preserve them before part of our culture is lost forever.

In connection with Black history, no matter how you look at it, there can be no denying that Black love is Black history. It is generally agreed that there's nothing stronger than love, and Black love has been the reason for some of the greatest achievements in Black history.

Black love manifests itself in various shapes and forms, including parental love, brotherly love, sisterly love and love for one another in general. In this issue, we focus primarily on romantic love, beginning by putting the spotlight on "10 Hottest Couples," those individuals who have captured the imagination of the public, and continue to fascinate onlookers of all ages. They include Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds, Djimon Hounsou and Kimora Lee Simmons, and newlyweds Usher and Tameka Foster.

With the "Hottest Couples" serving as the foundation, we strengthened the Black Love section with the addition of a look at religious/gospel couples, interracial couples and couples who have recently become parents or are expecting new additions to their families.

It is more than fitting that during this observance of Black History Month we not only remind ourselves of our past, but we celebrate the strength of Black Love, which restores us, sustains us and emboldens us in the face of the incessant racism that plagues our lives and threatens our survival.

COPYRIGHT 2008 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale Group