Radical Witness, Revolutionary Grace: Rev. Johnson’s Gospel of Justice

An Oral History Project Conducted by John Robert Lewis Scholar Kyla Holton

Project Description

This oral history project honors the life and legacy of Rev. Nelson Johnson (b. 1943), a Greensboro native whose lifelong commitment to justice, reconciliation, and community healing has transformed not only the city but also the world for many people. From his early activism in the 1969 A&T/Dudley uprising and his involvement with the Communist Workers Party to his later role as a faith leader and co-founder of the Greensboro Beloved Community Center, Rev. Johnson’s journey is captured through interviews with those who knew him intimately.

Through interviews with Rev. Wesley Morris, Mrs. Joyce Johnson, Lewis A. Brandon III, and Brigette E. Rasberry, each narrator offers a unique perspective: his spiritual mentorship, personal devotion, political leadership, and visionary work in community reconciliation. By preserving these living histories, the project uplifts Rev. Johnson’s enduring impact and invites reflection on how we can continue his work today.