In 1962, Ebony magazine, one of the most influential Black publications in the United States, found itself at the center of a major controversy. The magazine had published an illustration depicting Jesus Christ as a Black man, which sparked outrage and calls for the magazine to be banned. This incident shone a light on the tensions surrounding the representation of race and religion in America during the civil rights movement.

The story of Ebony's "Black Jesus" reveals how the struggle for racial equality extended into debates over the identity and appearance of religious figures. It highlights the power of visual media to challenge traditional norms and provoke strong reactions. Even 60 years later, this episode remains a fascinating and controversial chapter in the history of African American media and the ongoing debates over the depiction of race in religious art.


Ebony magazine was founded in 1945 by John H. Johnson, a pioneering African American publisher. Johnson had previously found success with his first magazine, Negro Digest, which provided a platform for Black writers, thinkers, and artists during the Jim Crow era.

With Ebony, Johnson sought to create a publication that would celebrate and uplift the Black community in the United States. Unlike many mainstream magazines of the time that either ignored or negatively portrayed African Americans, Ebony offered positive, affirming coverage of Black life, culture, and achievement.
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