Discover the fascinating history, current status, and contact details of Jet Magazine address, an icon of Black media legacy.
Jet Magazine. For decades, those two words carried the weight of a culture, a voice, and a movement. Whether you remember flipping through its sleek pages at your grandmother’s coffee table or hearing about its powerful photo coverage of civil rights icons, Jet wasn’t just a magazine—it was a mirror of Black America.
But in today’s digital-heavy world, people still search for one persistent phrase: “Jet Magazine address.”
Why? Because addresses hold stories. And Jet’s address isn’t just about a building. It’s about a legacy, a transformation, and a trailblazing publication that once reshaped American media from a modest headquarters in Chicago.
This isn’t your typical “here’s-an-address-now-move-on” post. We’re going deeper—into history, culture, disruption, and the evolving identity of Jet Magazine.
What You'll Discover:
Why the Jet Magazine Address Still Matters Today
Let’s start with the obvious question: why does anyone still care about Jet Magazine’s address?
Simple—Jet was never just ink on paper. It stood for Black excellence, real stories, raw truth, and political relevance at a time when mainstream media simply wasn’t interested. And like any cultural institution, the where matters as much as the what.
Jet’s headquarters was a cultural hub. People want to know where it all happened—where powerful editorials were written, where iconic cover photos were selected, and where America was held accountable.
Knowing Jet’s physical address gives fans, historians, students, and cultural archivists a concrete way to connect with its origin. Think of it like standing outside Motown’s Hitsville USA—just being there means something.
The Original Jet Magazine Address: Johnson Publishing Company
At the heart of Jet Magazine’s story is Johnson Publishing Company, founded by media titan John H. Johnson in 1942.
Original Address:
Johnson Publishing Company
820 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605
This building wasn’t just where Jet was born—it was the first Black-owned skyscraper in downtown Chicago. That’s a major deal. Johnson Publishing was a symbol of self-made Black enterprise at a time when segregation and economic discrimination were still baked into American life.
Inside 820 S. Michigan: More Than Just an Address
You might assume this was a basic office space. But inside, this building buzzed with energy. Jet shared the floor with Ebony Magazine, another Johnson masterpiece. Together, they built a media empire that celebrated Black identity in a way mainstream outlets never did.
The building had its own photo studio, editorial staff, and even fashion department. It wasn’t rare to see legends like Aretha Franklin, Muhammad Ali, or Jesse Jackson stop by for interviews.
The iconic Jet “Beauty of the Week” photos? Shot right there.
Breaking coverage of the Emmett Till open casket photo? Processed and published there too.
This was Black media in its purest, most powerful form.
What Happened to Jet Magazine?
Now, if you’re still trying to mail a letter or visit the original Jet office, here’s where the plot thickens.
Jet Magazine stopped printing in 2014.
Yes, that’s right. After 63 years in print, Jet went all-digital—reflecting a shift in how media is consumed. But the transition wasn’t just about tech. It was also about survival.
Johnson Publishing faced financial struggles in the 2000s. Advertisers started shrinking their budgets, and print publications everywhere—Jet included—began to fade. In 2016, Johnson Publishing sold Jet and Ebony to Clear View Group, a Texas-based private equity firm.
Then in 2019, Johnson Publishing filed for bankruptcy.
As part of that, the historic photo archives—including that famous Emmett Till photo—were put up for auction. In a twist of cultural karma, a group of foundations led by the Getty Trust acquired the archive and pledged to preserve and digitize it.
So what does all this mean for Jet’s address?
Jet Magazine’s Address Today
Here’s the kicker: Jet Magazine no longer has a physical headquarters open to the public.
However, for business or professional inquiries, the current digital version of Jet is part of EBONY Media Group, which is now headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Current Jet Magazine Mailing Address:
Ebony Media Operations LLC
750 Glenwood Ave SE Building 100, Atlanta, GA 30316
Website: https://www.ebony.com/jet/
But don’t expect the same weekly print issues. Jet is now a digital-only publication, mostly curated within the Ebony website. Think of it more as a digital vertical or category, rather than a standalone brand.
Can You Still Contact Jet Magazine?
Yes, you can. But keep your expectations aligned. Jet doesn’t operate with a full-blown editorial staff like it used to. However, Ebony Media still accepts pitches, press inquiries, and submissions through their official channels.
If you’re a former subscriber, journalist, historian, or someone with an emotional connection to Jet, the best route is to go through Ebony Media’s contact forms or email their general inquiry team.
The Cultural Footprint: Why Jet’s Story Is Bigger Than Its Address
Let’s zoom out a bit. We’ve talked addresses, ownership, bankruptcy, and digital shifts. But none of that captures the real legacy Jet left behind.
Jet gave Black America a consistent, credible voice. At a time when most media portrayed Black people only through crime stories or stereotypes, Jet did something radically different: it normalized Black life—its joy, struggles, fashion, music, and movements.
It gave Black people visibility when invisibility was the norm.
Still today, when someone searches “Jet Magazine address,” they’re not just looking for a location. They’re seeking access to a memory—a reminder of what representation looked like before hashtags and viral posts.
Jet’s Greatest Cultural Contributions
- Emmett Till’s Open Casket Photo: A moment that shook the conscience of a nation. Published by Jet when others wouldn’t touch it.
- “Beauty of the Week” Feature: While controversial at times, it was one of the few platforms showcasing everyday Black women with elegance, style, and confidence.
- Coverage of the Civil Rights Movement: Jet wasn’t an observer. It was in the room—covering protests, marches, and speeches with a voice of urgency and ownership.
The Chicago Building Today
And if you’re wondering—yes, 820 S. Michigan still exists. But the Johnson Publishing building has been transformed into luxury apartments. That’s right. You can technically live where Jet’s editorial decisions once shaped Black history.
It’s poetic, in a way. A physical address moves on, but its legacy? That’s still very much alive.
Is Jet Magazine Ever Coming Back to Print?
We’d love to say yes. But the reality is, print magazines—even major ones—are struggling across the board. And niche publications have even less room to make a comeback.
That said, with today’s digital storytelling tools, there’s no reason Jet couldn’t reimagine itself for Gen Z and beyond.
Imagine a TikTok-native Jet. An audio-first Jet. Or an interactive archive-driven Jet, remixing the past for the future.
The address may change, but the mission? That doesn’t have to.
Key Takings
- Jet Magazine’s original headquarters was at 820 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, within the Johnson Publishing Company.
- The building was the first Black-owned skyscraper in downtown Chicago, symbolizing economic power and cultural pride.
- Jet transitioned from print to digital-only in 2014, and its parent company later declared bankruptcy in 2019.
- Jet is now part of Ebony Media Group, based in Atlanta, Georgia, and operates as a digital vertical rather than a standalone brand.
- The iconic photo archives were saved by a foundation-led acquisition and are being preserved for future generations.
- Jet Magazine’s legacy goes far beyond its address—it shaped cultural representation and chronicled Black America’s greatest moments.
- While the physical magazine is no longer printed, the Jet brand remains culturally relevant, especially through digital media.
If you came here searching for Jet’s address, you got it—but hopefully you found something even more valuable: the story of a magazine that didn’t just print stories but became one.
