Following is the daily Black History Month 2008 "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10: JOHN JOHNSON

Profile America for the 10th day of Black History Month. Clipping newspaper and magazine articles about African-Americans gave John Johnson an idea, one that not only made him wealthy and honored but changed the self-perception of the black community. The idea was to publish a magazine about African-Americans. Borrowing $500 from his mother, Johnson brought out Ebony magazine in 1945, profiling rising African-American figures in business, politics and the arts. Later, he added the weekly magazine Jet. Both proved to be widely read and influential. Now, there are 1.2 million black-owned businesses in the U.S., generating nearly $89 billion in annual revenue. This special edition of Profile America for Black History Month is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments ready to air on a monthly CD or on Internet at (look under the "Newsroom" button). For further information, contact Rick Reed at +1-301-763-2812, fax at +1-301-457-3670, or e-mail at rreed(At)census.gov.