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    Essence Magazine Recognizes It's No Wonder Among 'Enlightening Reads' During Black History Month and Beyond

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    It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy is included on Essence magazine's list of "10 Books That Help Us Celebrate Black History Month All Year Long."

    Moy's pioneering accomplishments at Motown as a multihyphenate songwriter-producer and music at large transcend boundaries. Therefore, it should be rightfully recognized in American history because it is.

    It's No Wonder is available to order everywhere books are sold. 
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    Media contact
    Tara Kennedy, Publicity Director
    Grand Central Publishing and Da Capo
    ​Tara.Kennedy@hbgusa.com 
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    It's No Wonder Among Featured Da Capo Books That Highlight Hidden Figures in Music

    It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy and Cosmic Music: The Life, Art, and Transcendence of Alice Coltrane are two Da Capo Press books that place the spotlight on female greats who helped to shape modern music.

    Did you know that these incredible women also had a connection in a different way?

    Fun music fact: Alice Coltrane's sister was Motown songwriter Marilyn McLeod, who co-wrote Diana Ross' megahit song, Love Hangover. Coltrane's nephew, McLeod's grandson, is Grammy Award-winning artist Flying Lotus. 

    It's No Wonder, Cosmic Music and the other books listed are available to order everywhere books are sold. Da Capo is an imprint of Grand Central, which is a Division of the Hachette Book Group. Da Capo is dedicated to publishing definitive biographies, memoirs, and narrative non-fiction about music and musicians.
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    Media contact
    Tara Kennedy, Publicity Director
    Grand Central Publishing and Da Capo
    ​Tara.Kennedy@hbgusa.com 
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    It's No Wonder Featured In The Washington Independent Review of Books

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    The recognition and honors continue as the Washington Independent Review of Books featured a story about the acclaimed biography It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy. 

    An article written by Frank Halperin includes a Q&A styled interview with Dr. Christian. In this piece, Halperin sheds a bit more light on everything from how the book received its title to what inspired the author to approach this enigmatic Motown figure. Read more here: An Interview with Margena A. Christian | Washington Independent Review of Books

    It's No Wonder is available to order everywhere books are sold. 
    ​
    Media contact
    Tara Kennedy, Publicity Director
    Grand Central Publishing and Da Capo
    ​Tara.Kennedy@hbgusa.com 
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    Chicago Public Library Selects It's No Wonder Top Pick For Black History Month

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    In celebration of Black History Month, the Chicago Public Library (CPL) places a spotlight on Sylvia Moy, the Motown songwriter and producer who bravely broke down barriers in the music industry during the Sixties by helping to shape "the Sound of Young America."

    It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy made the CPL's list of top picks. The selection of books, which was curated by staff, cover Black historical figures and moments. 

    The CPL is the city's free public library system with the Harold Washington Library as its flagship location. The CPL, noted as one of the largest and most community-focused public library systems in the United States, remains a service organization with the mission of being dedicated to reading, learning, and providing equal access to information for all Chicagoans.

    It's No Wonder is available to order everywhere books are sold. 
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    Media contact
    Tara Kennedy, Publicity Director
    Grand Central Publishing and Da Capo
    ​Tara.Kennedy@hbgusa.com ​
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    Biographers International Organization Highlights It's No Wonder

    The Biographers International Organization (BIO), of which Dr. Christian has been a member since 2022, featured the release of It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy in its February newsletter.

    With a worldwide membership of biographers, BIO aims to promote the art and craft of biography, cultivate a diverse community of biographers, encourage public interest in biography, and provide educational and fellowship opportunities that support the work of biographers worldwide.

    Dr. Christian's first biography, Empire: The House That John H. Johnson Built, was published in 2018. It was based upon her doctoral research and institutional knowledge as a former longtime EBONY/JET editor at Johnson Publishing Company, founded by Mr. Johnson.

    It's No Wonder is available to order everywhere books are sold. 
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    Media contact
    Tara Kennedy, Publicity Director
    Grand Central Publishing and Da Capo
    ​Tara.Kennedy@hbgusa.com ​
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  • Published on

    Remembering Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., A Que Dog and A Pretty Poodle

    With John H. Johnson, founder of EBONY and JET magazines, at the annual Johnson Publishing Company Christmas Party at 820 S. Michigan Ave in 2003. It was the last one he'd ever attend before making his transition in 2005.
    Rev Jackson and his "godfather" Mr. Johnson
    Before the world ever knew his name, Mr. Johnson encouraged Rev. Jackson to become a world leader.
    Before the world ever knew his name, Mr. Johnson positioned Rev. Jackson as a world leader by giving him national recognition on the cover of JET magazine.
    Rev and Mr Johnson with Michael Jackson
    Rev and Mr Johnson along with (l-r) South African President Nelson Mandela, Illinois Senator Emil Jones, former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley Jr and Congressman Bobby Rush
    Late Detroit native Wallace Safford, who went from working as security with award-winning singer/musician Prince to performing on stage with him. The song, Wally, Where'd You Get Those Glasses, was in honor of Safford, whom Prince considered to be a dear friend.
    UPDATED and current information as of Thursday, February 19, 2026.
    Count it as a blessing if you have just one person who believes in you.
     
    Rev. Jesse Jackson and I shared that much in common, because John H. Johnson, the pioneering publisher and founder of Johnson Publishing Company (JPC), which included EBONY and JET magazines, believed in us both.  

    When I wrote the 2018 book, Empire: The House That John H. Johnson Built, it was a no brainer to ask Rev. Jackson to do the foreword. Of course, he agreed without hesitation. Rev. Jackson made time to reflect about his mentor and father figure, Mr. Johnson, the publishing magnate he lovingly called his “godfather.”

    It was through the pages of JET and EBONY that Mr. Johnson helped to propel Rev. Jackson into a household name. One of his first being an August 1968 cover of JET. As a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, I teased Rev. Jackson that they were the “alpha and the omega,” because Mr. Johnson was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity while Rev. Jackson was a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Rev. Jackson always pumped his fists while chanting, “Keep hope alive.” And, he’d often throw up those hooks to represent his fraternity. 

    The last time I spoke with Rev. Jackson was seven years ago. The man known for his powerful voice and determination to fight for justice, a towering figure who stood at 6’3”, was in a position unfamiliar to him. He was struggling. “This is kicking my ass,” Rev. Jackson quietly told me about his neurodegenerative condition as we sat in the lobby of his Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Those words stayed with me as I watched him deal with his failing health in the public’s eye as a global leader.

    At every turn, he tried his damndest to remain a beacon of light and a voice for the voiceless as his own was being silenced. No longer could he pump his fist or even throw up his hooks. He didn’t look well and it showed on his face, yet he kept moving in front of the cameras anyway. 
     
    I had to really gather myself. This is a tough one.  Thank you for supporting me and all of my work. It meant the world to me. And though you couldn't tell me, your spirit allowed me to know that you were cheering me on with my latest book, It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy. We both knew what Berry Gordy was to the music world and Motown, Mr. Johnson was to the publishing world with EBONY and JET. 

    "Maybe [Mr. Johnson] couldn't envision going from print to digital but he would have made the adjustment," you told me during our October 6, 2018 interview in your office at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition for the Foreword of my book,     Empire: The House That John H. Johnson Built. "He would have held on to JET and EBONY in the ninety-ninth hour. The fact is some magazines are still standing. I was convinced that if anything could stand, it would be EBONY and JET. But this is no reflection upon his legacy."

    Rev. Jackson, words can't express enough how much you did for me, being one of my biggest supporters, the earthly bridge and constant reminder of Mr. Johnson. I smile thinking about our private conversations about the golden days of Johnson Publishing Company. Know that I will carry those memories in my heart as we laughed and shed a tear, mourning the loss of that magnificent Empire: The House That John H. Johnson Built. But, we both knew that nothing or no person lasts forever. We are all here temporarily, just passing through this thing called life. "Electric word life" is what Prince called it. 

    You never expected to live beyond the age of 40 years old, because you thought you'd leave this world tragically like those who came before you.  God had other plans. You left a trail of glory in your 84 years before taking your last breath on February 17, 2026.

    Rest well, Rev. Jackson. You more than earned it. March through those Pearly Gates into the kingdom of Heaven and hug Mr. Johnson for me.