The world’s top African-American publishing company has pledged $2.5 million to create an innovative new program to support young journalism and communication students at USC Annenberg.
Established by Linda Johnson Rice (pictured, left), president and chief executive officer of Johnson Publishing Company Inc., the Johnson Communication Leadership Center will have at its core a new undergraduate scholarship program – the first at the school to focus on the specific interests of the African-American community. Recipients of the Johnson Scholarships will be selected for the program based on academic excellence, demonstrated leadership, and a strong interest and involvement in issues related to African-Americans in the world of journalism and communication.
“Johnson Publishing Company is excited to fund this new initiative at USC. The scholarships as well as the extensive exposure to mentorship, research and travel are innovative ways to support the African-American perspective in the journalism and communication fields,” says Rice, a USC trustee, member of the USC Annenberg Board of Councilors and an alumna of the School. Johnson Publishing Company, which publishes Ebony and Jet magazines, is headquartered in Chicago with offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Detroit.
Click here to listen to National Public Radio interview Wilson and Lockhart about the scholarship.
“We are deeply grateful for the vision and generosity of Linda Johnson Rice in creating this pioneering center,” Dean Ernest J. Wilson III (top picture, right) said. “The Johnson Scholarships will allow USC Annenberg to continue to attract outstanding students as we develop the next generation of media leaders prepared to shape the future of journalism and communication.”
