Exposure Group Honors Publisher John H. Johnson At Dinner In D.C

Jet, July 16, 2001

Because his magazines, EBONY and JET, have hired more Black photographers and used and paid more Black freelance photographers than any other publication, Publisher John H. Johnson was honored during the fifth annual awards dinner of The Exposure Group in Washington, D.C.

Though the publisher was unable to attend the affair, he was represented by noted historian and EBONY Executive Editor Lerone Bennett Jr.

The organization established a John H. Johnson Friend of Photography Award in the publisher's honor, and named him its first recipient.

"We wanted the world to know what Mr. Johnson has done for freelance photographers," said Jason Miccolo Johnson, The Exposure Group president.

Accepting the award on Johnson's behalf, Bennett thanked The Exposure Group and praised Publisher Johnson, particularly, for giving opportunities to photographers Moneta Sleet, Jr., the first Black photographer to win a Pulitzer Prize; David Jackson, who earned a reputation covering civil rights events in the South; Philadelphian G. Marshall Wilson, and D.C. born and bred lensman Maurice Sorrell, who covered the White House for years.

The event drew more than 300 guests.

A continuous video display of unusual photographs was featured at the reception, while picture slides were shown during the dinner.

Winning the Maurice Sorrell Lifetime Achievement Award was Ellsworth J. Davis, a former Johnson Publishing Co. lensman who joined the photographic staff of the Washington Post Newspaper in 1961.

Selected for the Gordon Parks Legend Award was Los Angeles photographer Howard L. Bingham, a former newspaper photographer who traveled the world with heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali.

Other winners were Nestor Hernandez, named Photographer of the Year, and Al Price, a photography instructor with the Kennedy Institute and former press aide with ex-D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, who won the Community Service Award.

Mistress of ceremonies was ABC News reporter Michel Martin.

President Jason Miccolo Johnson, who served as dinner chairman, said that he hoped to expand the group into a national organization. The dinner required almost $30,000 to sponsor, a great enterprise for his 60-member group, he said.

The Exposure Group/African American Photographers Association, Inc. supports efforts of working photographers and promotes photographic education.