Ebony Got Him First

Ebony Magazine, which was visited by the president-elect at its Chicago offices in the Michigan Ave. headquarters building of its parent, Johnson Publishing Co.

That Obama would give his first magazine and photo session to Ebony seems fitting. The magazine was a pioneer in publishing in much the way Obama's a trailblazer in politics.

Evolved from Negro Digest, which was founded in 1942 by John Johnson, Ebony for decades was one of the few periodicals African-Americans could turn to for images and stories about black strivers and movers and shakers rarely ever seen in the mainstream media.

A black person who made it to Ebony's cover had really made it in the larger sense. Obama is the ultimate African-American striver.

Also, the company's present chairman and chief executive Linda Johnson Rice, the founder's daughter, has long been a member of Chicago's black business and political aristocracy into which the Obama's have vaulted in recent years.

So all told, not a surprising choice that Ebony got Obama first.

The following is from Ebony's announcement of its coup of its interview yesterday:

The exclusive interview and cover shoot, held at the headquarters of Johnson Publishing Co. in Chicago, will be the centerpiece of Ebony magazine's January 2009 commemorative issue, which goes on sale nationwide Tuesday, December 9.

President-elect Obama spoke to Ebony magazine editorial director Bryan Monroe on a wide range of issues, including his historic election and international reaction, the future of America and how he hopes to tap the enthusiasm of the millions of supporters who have been mobilized by his election.
"I'm very humbled by the fact that I stand on the shoulders of all the people who made these incredible contributions to lift this country up," Obama told Ebony on Thursday.

Emotional Powell Hails Obama's 'Historic' Victory

Former U.S. secretary of state Colin Powell on Wednesday hailed Barack Obama's U.S. presidential election victory as a historic day in race relations but played down the likelihood of joining Obama's administration.

"President-elect Obama is going to be a president for all America," Powell, one of the most prominent black Americans who served in the military and government for 40 years, told reporters in Hong Kong.

He praised Obama for running an inclusive campaign that had cut across ethnic, income and age lines and described his victory as an historic occasion.

" ... the fact that he is also black just has turned America on, it's very emotional," Powell said of Obama, who becomes the first black U.S. president.

Powell, a retired U.S. general and former secretary of state in Republican President George W. Bush's administration, endorsed Democrat Obama in October, calling him a "transformational figure" who could be an "exceptional president."

Powell however played down the prospects of being part of the new Obama administration with slightly different comments to those he made last month, when he said he was not looking for a job but would have to consider it if asked.

"I am not interested in a position in government, nor have I been offered one, I don't expect to be offered one," he said.

"Should he call me for advice I'd be more than happy to give it, but I cannot expect to be going back to government," he said.

Powell spoke of Obama's victory while describing his own struggle in overcoming racial prejudice when he first joined the army soon after former President Harry S. Truman had desegregated the military.

"In 50 years I have seen my country move so dramatically toward a dream that our founding fathers had," Powell said.

"It says a lot about who we are as a people and emotions you see in the United States ... that's the America we remember, that's the America we want to see, that's the America that's always been an example to the rest of the world," Powell said.

He expected an Obama administration to reach out to America's potential adversaries as well seek a greater engagement with its allies.

"Its easy to talk to a friend, sometimes it is a little more difficult to talk to adversaries, but they are the ones you need to talk to, and talk to them, not just place demands and demand an outcome of negotiations before the negotiations are held," he said.

Powell urged Obama to reach out to China politically and economically to further bolster Sino-U.S. ties. "I do not expect him to adopt protectionist policies," he said.

Yes We Did!

I can't stop crying, y'all. We did it! God is sooooo good!