Bennett Alum: Remembering Mayor Yvonne Johnson Pillar of Greensboro

By: Victor Greene

A voice that led a life of change and made a historical impact in North Carolina. The first black mayor in Greensboro, North Carolina was Yvonne Johnson. Yvonne Johnson was a woman who grew up during segregation. Daily life had “separate but equal laws” put in place to have Black Americans in unfair conditions in the areas of housing, transportation, education, public facilities, and recreation. Johnson knew that these laws were unjust and wanted to make a change.

Johnson attended Bennett College and her passion to fight for civil rights grew tremendously. While she was at Bennet, she attended the Greensboro Sit-ins and the March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a speaker. One Step Further, is a Greensboro nonprofit organization where Johnson was a director and founding member. The non-profit was founded in 1982, the program focuses on issues that can help heal the community. Some of the issues that are covered are food security, juvenile intervention, and conflict mediation. Johnson was still active in the organization this year, and due to her passion and dedication to her community, One Step Further, vows to honor her legacy by being true servants to the community. 

Johnson entered politics in her hometown of Greensboro in 1993 and was elected to the Greensboro City Council. Johnson was an elected member of the Mayor Pro Tem in 1998 and served for six years before running for Mayor in 2007. She won the 2007 election becoming Greensboro’s first African American Mayor. During her term, she addressed poverty within the community and helped non-felony offenders. Johnson did not get reelected for a second term, but she returned to serve the council in 2011 until her passing.

Johnson was born on October 26, 1942, and passed away on December 4, 2024. She was the mother of four children and a board member of several organizations. Johnson was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Johnson served as Chair of the Bennett College Board of Trustees for ten years. President of Bennett College, Suzanne Walsh states. “Johnson devoted her life to fighting for justice, equity, and the betterment of her community”. Yvonne’s unwavering love for Bennett College was evident in the way she championed its mission and inspired future generations of Belles to lead with purpose and grace. While our hearts ache with this tremendous loss, we find solace in the enduring impact of her life’s work. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and all who were blessed to know and love her.