Linda Johnson Rice

“I would describe my mother as a steel magnolia. She was very intelligent, very persuasive.”

“In light of the overall economic challenges that are affecting many, including our potential corporate sponsors, we have arrived at a most difficult decision to cancel Ebony Fashion Fair's fall 2009 season.”

“'Ebony' is an integral part of my life, and I think it's very exciting to be able to help to move the brand forward.”

“My father's legacy is bigger than a building. It really is a tremendous business that he's built.”

“I've been riding since I was seven. If I were a horse, I would want an Hermes halter.”

“My family has always made Chicago our home, and I care deeply about the values our company has espoused for decades.”

“A black entrepreneur has to be equally if not more prepared than a white to get his fair share of loan money.”

“JP Morgan Chase's investment in our firm is a logical outgrowth of our longstanding relationship.”

“It was the Cosby family on the cover, but overlaid on that, it appeared to be a shattered glass. So it really wasn't just about the shattering of the Huxtables: it was really a shattering of the black family. And it was a question about that and where do we stand on that.”

“Along with my father, Mandela is my hero.”

“They couldn't have a little kid occupying an important spot on the front row, so I sat in the back where all the models changed clothes. I remember vividly the rustling and the rush of the fabrics of the clothes and the swoosh of textures and color as they went by. I was in the back, but I had a front-row seat, in my opinion.”

“We're not trying to push the real provocative edge.”

“I think the most challenging aspect from my father's perspective was probably getting advertising. He really did pattern 'Ebony' after 'Look' and 'Life' magazines.”

“'Ebony's Power 100 list highlights African-Americans who exemplify brilliance in the fields of entertainment, arts, business and others.”

“I think I'm curious by nature because I always want to learn, and I think you can learn from so many things around you on an everyday basis.”

“I am struck by the memories of all of the fantastic Links ladies who worked so hard to host the Ebony Fashion Fair shows.”

“We have to tell our story at 'Ebony' and 'Jet' like no one else can. We have the authenticity; we have the believability. And I think that's what we have to own.”

“My playground was our company. That's really where I grew up.”

“We have to reach out to younger audiences. They need to see how they can see themselves as black women.”

“We're expanding 'Ebony' and 'Jet' on the digital side to attract and maintain a younger audience.”