Author: Edna Bruce
Published: July 22, 2006
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Detroit, MI- John H. Johnson, the late founder and publisher of Johnson Publishing Company (JPC), and his daughter, Linda Johnson Rice, current JPC CEO, were honored at the 43rd Annual Bal Africain® recently at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA).
The event's theme, Trailblazer, highlighted the many contributions made by the Johnson family as founder of EBONY and Jet magazines, and Fashion Fair Cosmetics. The black-tie event was hosted by the DIA and the Friends of African and African American Art (FAAAA). Rhonda Walker, news anchor for WDIV-TV 4, served as mistress of ceremonies.
During this year's Bal Africain, guests had the opportunity to view the highly acclaimed exhibition African American Art from the Walter O. Evans Collection, sponsored by the General Motors Corporation and GM Foundation. Dr. Evans' collection includes paintings, sculptures and works on paper from some of the most accomplished African American artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Henry Ossawa Tanner, Edmonia Lewis, Elizabeth Catlett, Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence.
GM Foundation Chairman and General Motors Vice President Roderick D. Gillum, Ford Motor Company Fund President Sandra E. Ulsh, and The Coca-Cola Company Senior Vice President Ingrid Saunders Jones were the corporate chairs for this year's event. The 2006 Bal Africain Gala Chair Vivian Rogers Pickard is also from General Motors.
Event supporters included platinum sponsors General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and The Coca-Cola Company and silver sponsors DaimlerChrysler, GMAC, LaSalle Bank and Masco Corporation.
