Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project
Celebrating the Remarkable Life of Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr.
The Bishop Johnson History Project is dedicated to celebrating the remarkable life of Bishop Joseph Andrew Johnson, Jr, the first African American to graduate from Vanderbilt University (B.D., 1954), to receive a PhD from the University (1958), and to become a full member of the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust. The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University honors his legacy.
Bishop Johnson was also the thirty-fourth bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. As a New testament professor at ITC in Atlanta, Bishop Johnson was a noted scholar, a pioneer in the field of black theology, and a civil rights advocate in Louisiana.
Founded by Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, the BJJHP exists to tell Bishop Johnson’s life story and preserve his legacy for a new generation of students, advocates, and people of faith still engaged in the struggle for justice, equality, and inclusion today.
Crowdfunding Campaign on Indiegogo
Later this summer, we will be launching a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to raise funds to complete production of a documentary film about the remarkable life of Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr.
Be among the first to know when we launch our campaign.
Biography Project
Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver is writing a biography about Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr. The project is funded by a Pastoral Study Project Grant from the Lily Endowment funded Louisville Institute.
Documentary Film
Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver is producing a documentary film about Bishop Johnson, directed by RKT Productions. Special announcement is coming soon,
Bookstore
Select books by Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr. will be on sale soon. Check back for updates.
Recent Blog Posts
- March 26, 2021Family Profiles
- June 19, 2020Biography Project / Documentary Project
- June 19, 2020Biography Project
- October 15, 2018Biography Project / Documentary Project / Vanderbilt Trailblazer
Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr.
Bishop Joseph Andrew Johnson, Jr was the first African American to be admitted and to graduate from Vanderbilt University. He was also a Bishop in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Born on June 19, 1914 in Shreveport, Louisiana, Johnson was the third child and oldest son of Rev. and Mrs. Joseph A. Johnson, Sr (Rose)… CLICK IMAGE TO LEARN MORE
