#OTD May 1, 1953 – Bishop Joseph A. Johnson Became First Black Admitted to Vanderbilt University

“When I talk to groups of students or visitors to campus, I always point out that he was admitted before the Brown decision, so he was truly a pioneer. He was someone who opened up the door for scores of students to come after him, but there had to be a first and he was the first.” –

– Dr. Frank Dobson, Jr., Associate Dean of Students, Social Justice & Identity, Vanderbilt University