In addition to his primary role at the University of Memphis, Dr. Johnson is a Distinguished Professor at Memphis Theological Seminary. He is also an affiliate faculty member of Christian Theological Seminary and the Andrew Mellon Just Transformation Satellite Partner with Penn State University’s Center for Black Digital Research.

 

Dr. Johnson's research delves deeply into the intersection of rhetoric, race, and religion, providing invaluable insights into how these elements influence public discourse and societal change. He teaches diverse courses, including African American public address, political and religious communication, interracial and sports communication, prophetic rhetoric, and the dynamics of social movements. Through his multifaceted roles, Dr. Johnson continues to make significant contributions to scholarship and community engagement.

 

Dr. Johnson is an award-winning author whose work has significantly contributed to understanding African American prophetic traditions and contemporary social movements. His critically acclaimed book, The Forgotten Prophet: Bishop Henry McNeal Turner and the African American Prophetic Tradition (2012), delves into Bishop Turner's life and influence, shedding light on his enduring legacy. Alongside co-author Amanda Nell Edgar, Dr. Johnson penned The Struggle Over Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter (2018), a thought-provoking exploration that garnered national recognition and awards. It highlights the complexities of the ongoing discourse surrounding racial justice and social equity.

 

In 2020, he released No Future in this Country: The Prophetic Pessimism of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, a scholarly work that received accolades for its profound analysis. In 2021, it won the prestigious top book award from both the Religious Communication Association and the African American Communication and Culture Division.

 

As an editor, Dr. Johnson has skillfully compiled The Speeches of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner: The Press, The Platform and The Pulpit (2023), an invaluable collection of Turner's powerful oratory, and Preaching in a Pandemic: The Rhetoric of the Black Church, Vols. 1-2 (2023), co-edited with Kimberly P. Johnson and Wallis Baxter III, which examines the sermons of Black preachers during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic.

 

His latest endeavor, The Summer of 2020: George Floyd and the Resurgence of the Black Lives Matter Movement, co-authored with Amanda Nell Edgar, captures the pivotal moments of 2020 and their impact on the Black Lives Matter movement. It provides an insightful analysis of a transformative period in American society.

 

Dr. Johnson is widely recognized for his groundbreaking research on Bishop Turner, but his academic pursuits reach far beyond this notable figure. His diverse research agenda encompasses a broad range of fascinating topics. Currently, he is involved in several ongoing projects that explore the complex relationship between rhetoric and preaching, investigating how these fields intersect with theology, religion, and the political landscape. He also examines the significant religious oratory linked to the Colored Conventions and investigates contemporary movements like Black Lives Matter. His scholarly contributions have gained recognition; he has received prestigious top-paper awards at national, regional, and state academic conferences. Outside of academia, he is a highly sought-after preacher, lecturer, social justice advocate, and workshop facilitator, known for his passionate engagement and impactful communication.

EDUCATION

Ph.D., University of Memphis
M.Div., Memphis Theological Seminary
B.S., University of Tennessee at Martin