Opelousas native writer publishes book documenting importance of Ebony magazine

Lavaille Lavette often would climb onto the second-story rooftop of her Opelousas-area home at an early age to escape and capture her thoughts as she took an initial step into the world of writing.

Family members, Lavette recalls, would sometimes question those episodes of private refuge, but those moments when she entered into her own fictional reality are something Lavette still cherishes.

“Sometimes I would be up there with my own thoughts, writing, sometimes creating my first poems. My mom and dad at that time thought I was crazy,” said Lavette, a former educator who has become a best-selling author.

Over the years, Lavette, 54, has marketed her own publishing company, which specializes in children’s books that have been highlighted by the imaginary character Roopster Roux.

Lavette’s latest effort at extending her craft is perhaps one of her most extensive.

A 1984 graduate of Opelousas Catholic School, Lavette, who published her first poem in the Daily World when she was 15, recently completed a three-year project that has included writing, collecting, editing and publishing a massive 304-page anthology that features all 600 Ebony magazine covers dating back to the first issue in November, 1945.

The book’s dimensions are suited best for coffee table display and have been available in bookstores since February.

More:After 52 years of coaching high school basketball, Gayle Montalvo is writing about it

Lavette is also scheduled to return to Opelousas for a March 20 personal appearance where the book will be displayed from 3 until 5 p.m. at the city’s public library, 212 E. Grolee St.

Ebony magazine, Lavette said, was the first publication consistently available beginning in the post-World War II era where Black  life and culture was celebrated through photographs, articles and interviews.

Lavette, who several years ago became Ebony’s president and publisher, said locating the cover of each Ebony magazine was an exhausting endeavor that she hoped would also provide an appeal for every age group.

Founded by John H. Johnson, Ebony magazine, according to literary historians, sought to capture the same visual experiences and stories for Blacks that Life magazine provided for audiences.

Read more:Zydeco musician's accordions donated to Rural African American museum

“Ebony was essentially a start-up publication in which positive stories about African Americans were told from all walks of life,” said Lavette. “Mr. Johnson was bold enough to highlight all aspects of Black America and not just the rich and famous.”

Lavette said that while she was growing up, she was always aware of the effect Ebony provided to Black America, but in 2018, as she started assembling the covers and articles that featured Black celebrities for more than seven decades, the contribution of the magazine provided for all those years resonated with her more deeply.

“Ebony has captured the life of Black America for 75 years,” Lavette said. “I think the book that we’ve done allows someone to see in color the importance of all of Ebony’s covers during that time and give the generations of those behind and in front of me the impact the magazine has had.

“I learned a lot. I started this project as just one that would provide a collection that would show the covers of the magazine.

“While doing that, I began realizing that those covers and stories of the people on the covers were bringing to me a deeper appreciation and love for Ebony and how the magazine has changed lives,” she added.

“I think that sentiment allowed me to realize and by talking to older people who read the magazine early on, that Ebony also featured individuals who were secretaries, aviators, everyday Black Americans.”

Lavette said she and the associates working with her were aided by Ebony’s historian who was able to help in identifying each of the magazine’s covers, which often featured Black celebrities, athletes and political figures.

More:Learn St. Landry Parish history from those who know it best in their own recorded words

Obtaining each and then arranging them into a book with thematic sections was an effort that included a lot of negotiation that originated a lot of different places.

“It took a lot of back and forth. Sometimes it was a case of going to different places like eBay and buying a cover,” Lavette said during a phone interview from her home in the Houston area. “Then it was a matter of organizing, working with publishing assistants, digitizing everything, getting all the work formatted, working with the graphic artists and then going to the printer, which in this case was in Italy.”

Lavette said during the time the book was undergoing revisions and preparation for publishing, she was able to make her own writing contributions.

“I went to Atlanta and had a number of conversations there with Andrew Young, who is profiled quite often in the book. While visiting with him, he shared so many stories about his time in Washington. Many of those conversations were delightful and insightful. I was talking with a true legend,” said Lavette.

During her research and contemplating each cover, Lavette said her favorites include one in 1956 with Lena Horne. Then there were Ebony covers and interviews featuring Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King.

The book has been organized, Lavette said, into five sections, which include athletes, civil rights and social justice, love and family and Ebony men and women.

In addition, Lavette said contributions from current Black celebrities such as Dwayne Wade, Sean Combs, Ciara, Venus Williams and Gabrielle Union are included within the various sections of the book.