This week, we will feature Jill Joseph-Johnson, founder and Chief Editor of Inside Black Hollywood Magazine. Johnson founded Inside Black Hollywood Magazine in the summer of 2005.

Inside Black Hollywood Magazine is a weekly web-based magazine that shines the spotlight on the African-American entertainment industry. Johnson created Inside Black Hollywood Magazine to keep readers informed regarding issues involving African-American celebrities. Inside Black Hollywood, provides its readers with the most up-to-date entertainment news and reviews affecting the African-American entertainment community.

Johnson was inspired to start Inside Black Hollywood Magazine through a need to fill a generational gap between the 18-35 year old readers of black entertainment. “Yes, I know we have bloggers but most of them only talk about gossip and what someone is wearing. I wanted to start a publication that would give us more. I wanted my readers to get real celebrity interviews, movie/DVD reviews and write-ups that matter to them, and music that stretches through all genres and ages,” says Johnson who feel as though African-Americans are underrepresented in Hollywood. “We have so many talented actors, singers, directors, authors, etc… that go unnoticed because they haven’t reached what society deems to be that “A” list status in Hollywood.” Inside Black Hollywood looks beyond the typical rhetoric of tradition Hollywood standards and focuses on all aspects of the industry.

The Inside Black Hollywood blog is great for independent movies because the scope is not limited to A-list celebrities. It contributes to the promotion of good and insightful black entertainment. Johnson understands the importance of independent black films to the overall film industry. “Promoting all films is important to us, but independent films are especially important. The independent film maker gives you that raw, gritty, unedited view into their story. There are no big named actors or elaborate special effects just the story. Big budget films are wonderful but many can’t match the realness of an independent film.”