See the first covers of popular African-American magazines published in the early 1900s

Negro Digest first issue

Negro Digest

RELATED STORIES

6 African royals who were captured and sold into slavery

How Ethiopia celebrated Emperor Haile Selassie's coronation in 1930 [Photos]

The horrifying execution of Prince Klaas, the slave from Ghana who planned to make Antigua an African state

Rather than succumb to French colonialists, this African king ordered his guard to kill him

Negro Digest was founded in Chicago by legendary African-American businessman and publisher John H. Johnson. The first issue was released on November 1, 1942. The magazine gained popularity for its “If I Were a Negro” column which asked well-known white people to share their views on problems affecting the African-American community.

“Color Craze” column from Negro Digest, November 1943 — Photo via exhibits.library.pdx.edu

Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt also famously contributed to the column. Later renamed Black World, the final issue was released in 1976.