I'm always 5 minutes late in regards to posting, but here goes.
I've read Ebony for years (my parents have always subscribed and it's how I taught myself to read). It's only been since I've been away and not read it every month that I realized that nothing's new in Ebony Magazine! Fashion Fair, single fathers, business attire, and Blazer ads.
There is a big emphasis on "conspicuous consumption", and repetition of articles (there's ALWAYS a diabetes article in there!).
This past semester, I did a paper on automobile advertisements in the 1970s, and I covered Ebony from 1970-1975. Nothing's changed. For the 5 years I researched, there were 6 articles on suicide--with the same pictures of the same people! Throw in the Newport and Lincoln Continental ads, and you realize things haven't changed. The same tours of the same celebrities' homes, with the same car ads...
Regardless of its shortcomings, Ebony has filled a purpose in its respective community. I just wish there was a viable alternative, because the others in the Ebony mold just don't last too long.