Original Forty Club of Chicago honors John H. Johnson with first Lifetime Achievement Award

Johnson Publishing Co. Publisher and Chairman John H. Johnson recently was saluted by a group of Chicago's most prominent Black leaders during The Original Forty Club of Chicago's 88th Annual Dinner Dance.

Publisher of JET and EBONY Magazines, Johnson was presented the club's first Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his legendary success in the business world.

Stuart M. Rankin, retired advertising executive and outgoing president of The Original Forty Club of Chicago, chaired the dinner, and joined newly installed president Atty. Roland Burris, former Illinois attorney general, in welcoming some 350 guests to the affair.

The annual gala was held in Cathedral Hall of tdhe University Club of Chicago.

The Original Forty Club of Chicago is the city's oldest Black men's social club.

Each year the club presents a "Man of the Year Award," but this year it "broke new ground" in presenting an inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award to Publisher Johnson.

"It's tough enough to be an African-American entrepreneur, but when you become successful at the level that he did in the publishing industry, he became a pioneer and then a legend," said Rankin in presenting Johnson the award.

The Original Forty Club of Chicago, founded in 1912, is named for the 40 Black professionals who originally were inducted into the club that mentors the city's upcoming leaders in politics, business, law, medicine and numerous other disciplines. It currently has 48 members.

A philanthropic organization as well, The Original Forty Club of Chicago supports civic and social welfare organizations and annually awards two college scholarships to needy students.