Johnny Was His Name: The Boy Who Grew Up To Become John H. Johnson

By Friends of John H. Johnson Museum

The Flood of 1927 in the United States was one of the worst in America’s history. With the exception of Mississippi, Arkansas was impacted substantially greater than any other state.
The Flood of 1927’s massive destruction covered over 6,600 square miles, with thirty-six out of seventy-five Arkansas counties under water, up to twenty feet deep in places. Rural Arkansas City (in Desha County), where Johnny Johnson was born, was one of the cities gravely affected by the flood’s devastation.
Johnny Was His Name takes readers on a journey during the Flood of 1927, recounting Johnny Johnson’s view of people coming together, working together and living together to help one another survive.
Johnny Was His Name shares the story of a nine-year-old Johnny Johnson, as he lived with his mother and Arkansas City residents, on top of the Arkansas City levee for six weeks during the 1927 Flood. Johnny Was His Name is an encouraging story of hope and perseverance in uncertain times.
The story shares how people who may have stark differences united for a common goal. It gives a glimpse into an observant young Johnny Johnson, seeing people set aside their disagreements to support each other; and be their brothers (and sisters)’s keepers during a natural disaster.
It’s a story of triumph amid tragedy; comradery, and companionship amid catastrophes, and a sense of “somebody-ness” and a new sense of self-respect.
Johnny Was His Name is a story of a boy named Johnny Johnson before he would become John H. Johnson, the founder and publisher of Johnson Publishing Company and the iconic Ebony and Jet magazines.

“I Love this inspiring and educational story.”
-Janis F. Kearney, Author/Independent Publisher/Former Newspaper Publisher/Presidential Historian

“Ms. Angela’s book on Mr. Johnson’s early life, shines a light on little Johnny’s hard life in his hometown. With his mother, they were survivors of the famous flood, and poverty. You also see why he fought so hard to show his community in a positive light. The book is needed and will give the public some new insight into one of our great leaders.”
-Roy Lewis/ Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) Photographer/Filmmaker

“Angela Courtney has written an insightful and engaging book that exposed me to information I previously did not know about such a legendary man. Bravo!”
-ReShonda Tate, Journalist/Author/Publisher/Speaker/Producer

“This book shows how brilliance can be found in the most unlikely places—even atop a flood-choked levee in a small Arkansas town. Young Johnny survived the 1927 flood and, so did the entrepreneurial genius that would lead him to found one of the most publishing companies in the U.S. Mr. Johnson’s flagship magazines, Ebony and Jet, were keepsakes in African American households for decades—our cherished chronicles of Black news, accomplishment, and entertainment. We owe Angela Courtney our thanks for bringing this part of his story to light.”
-Deborah Mathis, Journalist and Author

“I knew a lot about John H. Johnson, for I had the pleasure of working with the incredible man for three decades. Yet, author Angela Courtney made me aware of facts from his childhood that truly are enlightening and moving. It all supports why he became the extraordinary publisher, businessman and humanitarian that he did. Bravo to ‘Little Johnny’ and to Angela Courtney.”
-Lynn Norment, Retired Ebony Magazine Editor/Writer; Now Columnist for the Commercial Appeal Newspaper, Memphis

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798385011247

Friends of John H. Johnson Museum

Angela F. Courtney is the volunteer curator for the John H. Johnson Museum (www.johnhjohnsonmuseum.org), and John H. Johnson Day. John H. Johnson Day was established during the 92nd Arkansas General Assembly and is observed annually November 1st. Angela established Friends of John H. Johnson Museum to curate the life and legacy of John H. Johnson. She is a former University of Arkansas Pine Bluff adjunct professor. She received her BA degree from the University of Arkansas Little Rock and her MA degree from Webster University. She has worked and volunteered abroad, including serving in mission-based work in South Africa. She is the executive director and founder of Alex Foundation (www.alex-foundaton.org), a nonprofit organization that introduces students to architecture and design, including through place-based education by exploring historic and heritage-based buildings and structures of cultural relevance and significance.

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