James Weldon Johnson was born on June 17, 1871 in Jacksonville, Florida. His parents were James Johnson and Helen Louise Dillet. Johnson’s legacy is eclectic as he moved with passion from one role to the next. He was an educator, a lawyer, an author, a civil rights activist, poet, and songwriter.
A few noteworthy achievements include holding an executive position within the NAACP and being an effective advocate for change. Johnson investigated and reported atrocities not only in the South bur also in U.S. occupied Haiti. The revelations in his reports sparked African Americans to take action, and eventually led to the removal of American troops in Haiti.
Maybe it was his hands-on experience with injustice, maybe it was the weight of injustice but most of his art centered on the Black experience and culture. Johnson published several books, anthologies, and poetry.
His reputation flourished during the Harlem Renaissance, as alongside his brother, a composer, James wrote over 200 songs for Broadway. His most famous piece being “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” It was written to inspire hope toward equality and freedom, to invoke sadness, and an understanding of the Black burden.
Although it started off as a poem, James’ brother decided to compose music for the lyrics. The song was first sung at a celebration of President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday by a choir of 500 students attending Stanton School. A school James had attended as a child, and at the time of the performance, where he served as principal. Spiritually moving, it became a rallying cry for justice and coined “The Black National Anthem” by the NAACP. It remains a prayer, a lasting hope, and a beautiful gift to Black History.
While on vacation, the car James Weldon Johnson was in was struck by a train. He died June 26, 1938 in Wiscasset, Maine.
“…Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
James Weldon Johnson
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on ’til victory is won…”
A native of Phoenix, Arizona Aundrea Sayrie is a firm believer in the power of words, faith and a strong spirit. Her greatest desire is to encourage those around her to discover and honor their truth, and to passionately live on purpose.
