Katina Parker, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation's ( GLAAD's ) Media Manager for Communities of African Descent, met with the staff of Chicago's Johnson Publications—home of Ebony and Jet magazines—in a historic get-together.

Johnson Publications is the largest Black firm of its kind in America. In an e-mail to Identity, Parker commented that ' [ w ] ith a combined circulation of 21 [ million ] people per month, both magazines are household and beauty salon staples [ and ] set the standard for coverage in other Black publications, particularly Black newspapers.'

She also commented that the meeting, attended by owner Linda Johnson-Rice and the managing editors, went well. ' [ They ] were receptive to terminology suggestions, story ideas and potential spokespeople for future coverage,' Parker stated.

GLAAD has also held meetings with Essence, AOL Black Voices, the New York Beacon and Vibe.com.