By Rachel James-Terry and Anthony Howard
Linda Johnson Rice, chairwoman and CEO of Johnson Publishing Company (JPC), encouraged attendees to remember that education equals opportunity at Jackson State University’s annual Mary E. Peoples Scholarship Luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 21st at the Terry L. Woodard Ballroom inside the JSU Student Center. This year’s fundraiser exceeded its goal and raised $260,160.
“No matter what happens in life, or what you have to face, getting an education is critical,” said Johnson Rice. “It will take you out of situations that seem destitute or seem to have a dead end.”
During her keynote, Rice shared how her parents joined the “Great Migration” in pursuit of a better education. She is the daughter of JPC founders John H. and Eunice W. Johnson and was a constant presence at the Ebony/Jet headquarters while growing up.
Tapped as the company’s future leader, she studied journalism at the University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Johnson Rice returned to Chicago to work at JPC during the day and earn her master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management at night.
Losing her father (2005) and mother (2010) and facing industry freefall, Johnson Rice had to adapt to new realities and make tough choices. In 2011, she transitioned from CEO to chairwoman and focused on right-sizing the company. In 2016, JPC divested the Ebony and Jet brands and, subsequently, in 2019, the Fashion Fair Cosmetics brand. Through Johnson Rice’s vision, JPC has reinvented itself to create television, film, and other projects, nodding to its historic past.
“It is an honor to be Jackson State’s plenary speaker for an event that promotes education, scholarship and service to students. They are shaping our future, and it’s important that we support their academic endeavors and give them not only financial resources but the encouragement needed to believe in themselves and persevere,” said Johnson Rice. “I hope my words will motivate and inspire others to do the same.”
The annual fundraiser honors the noted educator and wife of JSU President Emeritus John A. Peoples Jr., Ph.D., who led the HBCU from 1967 until 1984.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be awarded this scholarship. It will help me further my education and hopefully help me get in to graduate to further my career as well,” said junior communicative disorder major, Jessica Gilkey, one of the 2023 Mary E. Peoples scholarship recipients.
Gilkey plans to become a speech pathologist helping young children develop their speech.
“Our scholarship luncheon celebrates the esteemed contributions of First Lady Emeritus Mary E. Peoples as a former educator and longtime community servant. It could not be more fitting to have Mrs. Linda Johnson Rice join us in an event promoting student success and academic excellence. She is a trailblazer and visionary, which is in direct alignment with the legacy of First Lady Peoples,” said Gwen Caples, interim vice president for Institutional Advancement and External Affairs.