Ebony Food Editors

1946

Ebony had three food editors in its history. Freda De Knight, Ebony’s first food editor from 1946 to 1963, established the magazine’s food column and set an upscale tone for its recipes. From 1982 to 1984, Charla Draper brightened the column’s photography and inaugurated the “Your Favorite Recipe” feature, which tested, paid for, and published reader-submitted recipes. Charlotte Lyons, food editor from 1985 to 2010, modified recipes for modern dietary needs. Lyons also simplified recipes, so both novice cooks and amateur chefs could follow them. This 1953 video from the One Tenth of a Nation film series profiles Freda De Knight in her role as Ebony's food editor.