BET News Special Profiles Life of Ebony Founder John H. Johnson With Salute by Prominent Figures on August 15

BET News Special Profiles Life of Ebony Founder John H. Johnson With Salute by Prominent Figures on August 15

'Citizen Johnson: A Man and His Empire' Features Former President Clinton, Colin Powell, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rapper Common and Others at 10 p.m. ET/PT

** BET NEWS PROGRAMMING ALERT **

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- His business and social legacy have shaped the very fabric of the modern Black Experience. As America says good- bye to Ebony and Jet Magazine Founder John H. Johnson, BET News will spotlight the life and times of this historic media mogul and entrepreneur with "Citizen Johnson: A Man and His Empire" hosted by BET News anchor Jacque Reid on Monday, August 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Johnson died this week at the age of 87, and will be celebrated by some of the country's most prolific and diverse figures, including former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, BET Founder and Chairman Robert Johnson, National Council of Negro Women President Dr. Dorothy Height, activist Rev. Al Sharpton and poetic rapper Common. An encore showing is scheduled for Sunday, August 21 at 4 p.m. ET/PT.

PROGRAM: CITIZEN JOHNSON: A MAN AND HIS LEGACY
NETWORK: BET
SCHEDULE: Monday, August 15 @ 10 - 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (Premiere)
Sunday, August 21 @ 4 - 4:30 p.m. ET/PT (Encore)

From humble roots in Arkansas to the creation of Chicago-based media conglomerate Johnson Publishing Company, Johnson's impact on the lexicon of American business and Black culture is undeniable. BET News has assembled some of the biggest names in politics, business, media, academia and entertainment to reflect on Johnson's legacy and what the future may hold for his empire. Also included will be coverage of Johnson's August 15 funeral from the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel on the campus of the University of Chicago.

The following are excerpts from the many tributes featured in "Citizen Johnson: A Man and His Legacy":

Former President Bill Clinton --

"If anyone lived the American dream, if anybody ever proved he could overcome adversity, if anybody proved just by den of imagination and talent and hard work, you could still make it against all odds ... it was John Johnson."

Rap Star Common --

"I am on the cover of Jet ... When I saw it in the airport. I made it ... I'm on the cover of Jet ... For real... That's a big accomplishment."

ABOUT BET

BET, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE: VIA; VIA.B), is the nation's leading television network providing quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs programming for the African-American audience. The BET Network reaches more than 80 million households according to Nielsen media research, and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

Source: BET (Black Entertainment Television)

CONTACT: Michael Lewellen of BET, +1-202-608-2003, or
michael.lewellen@bet.net

Web site: http://www.bet.com/

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