N'Digo Legacy Black Luxe 110: African American Icons of Contemporary History

A landmark book-- N'DIGO LEGACY BLACK LUXE--chronicling the achievements of 110 African-Americans who have had a major influence on the city of Chicago in every aspect--its business, social, political, environmental, arts and culture, sports, and ministry--has been published by Hermene Hartman and David Smallwood.

Hartman is a black pioneer and founder of the popular N'Digo magapaper; Smallwood is its Editor-in-Chief.

Many of the profiles first appeared in N'Digo over the past 30 years and have now been updated. For example, In March 2003, the first major story ever written on future US President Barack Obama appeared as he was attempting to further his career from Illinois State Senator to run for the U.S. Senate the following year.

Michael Jordan, Jesse Jackson, actress Jennifer Hudson, Dick Gregory, and Chicago Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith are a few of the easily recognized names in the book. There are, however, dozens more who achieved milestones in their field of endeavor.

At once educational. entertaining, and enlightening, the 489-page coffee table volume, complete with full-color photography, would be a valuable resource in every high school, college and university library, as well as museums, cultural centers, and public libraries. Its historical relevance alone warrants its addition as an important resource.

Hermene Hartmn is one of the most significant and influential Black women in American Publishing. As President and CEO of Chicago-based Hartman Publishing Group, Hermene publishes the must-readN'Digo Magapaper. It is a forward-thinking weekly lifestyle publication for urbane, progressive readers, as is the company's website, ndigo.com. Both have become a powerhouse Black Voice in Chicago.