Worlds of Music 2: Blog

Celebrating Bernice Johnson Reagon: A Voice for Justice and Change

Bernice Johnson Reagon was an influential American song leader, composer, scholar, and social activist whose work left an indelible mark on the civil rights movement and the world of music. Born on October 4, 1942, in Dougherty County, Georgia, Reagon's early life was steeped in the sacred music of her father's Baptist church.

Reagon's journey into activism began during her time at Albany State College, where she became involved with the local NAACP chapter and later the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). She was a founding member of the Freedom Singers, a group organized by SNCC to support the Albany Movement for civil rights in Georgia. The Freedom Singers used music as a powerful tool to unify and inspire those fighting for justice.

In 1973, Reagon founded Sweet Honey in the Rock, an all-black female a cappella ensemble based in Washington, D.C. The group became renowned for its rich harmonies and diverse musical repertoire, which included traditional folk, African chants, field hollers, Baptist hymns, blues, jazz, and rap. Sweet Honey in the Rock addressed political and personal issues through their music, touring widely and recording numerous albums.

Reagon's commitment to social justice extended beyond her musical endeavors. She earned a Ph.D. in history from Howard University in 1975 and became a cultural historian at the Smithsonian Institution. Her scholarship focused on African American music and its role in the struggle for civil rights. She also served as a professor emerita in the Department of History at The American University.

Smithsonian Folkways remembers Reagon as a landmark activist, singer, songwriter, and scholar whose life's work demonstrated the power of music in bringing people together in the fight for freedom and justice. Her dedication to preserving and promoting the vital musical traditions of Black America continues to inspire people of all identities to raise their voices and demand freedom.

Throughout her life, Reagon received numerous honors for her contributions to music and activism. Her work with the Freedom Singers and Sweet Honey in the Rock demonstrated the power of collective singing to bring about social change. Reagon's music and scholarship continue to inspire new generations of activists and musicians.

Bernice Johnson Reagon passed away on July 16, 2024, but her legacy lives on through her recordings, writings, and the countless lives she touched. Her dedication to justice and her ability to harness the power of music for social change make her a true icon in American history.

Have you listened to any of her music or read her writings before? If you haven't yet explored Bernice Johnson Reagon's work, her music and writings are a profound testament to the enduring power of song in the fight for equality.

References

https://folkways.si.edu/artists/bernice-johnson-reagon

https://www.americanhistory.si.edu/explore/stories/bernice-johnson-reagon