Former CEO of Revolt Media, Keith Clinkscales is now heading his own media venture in the form of Shadow League Digital. Keith Clinkscales has worked in numerous minority-operated publications and media enterprises. Recently, the photo archives of two of the most iconic African-American magazines, Jet and Ebony, sold their photo archives to philanthropic investors.
Ebony and Jet were once the crown jewels of the Johnson Publishing Company, which was founded by John H. Johnson. Started in 1945 and 1951 respectively, the magazines are a historical treasure trove cataloging African-American life through the decades.
In July 2019, the photo archive of the magazines was sold at auction for $30 million. The winning bid came from a joint effort of several philanthropic organizations intent on preserving this monumental record for posterity. The new owners promised to donate the millions of pictures to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Getty Research Institute, an important step to guarantee their conservation.
Ebony and Jet were once the crown jewels of the Johnson Publishing Company, which was founded by John H. Johnson. Started in 1945 and 1951 respectively, the magazines are a historical treasure trove cataloging African-American life through the decades.
In July 2019, the photo archive of the magazines was sold at auction for $30 million. The winning bid came from a joint effort of several philanthropic organizations intent on preserving this monumental record for posterity. The new owners promised to donate the millions of pictures to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Getty Research Institute, an important step to guarantee their conservation.