RIP: Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon – Singer, Activist, Organizer, Educator

The Journal of Gospel Music is sad to report the passing of Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon.

Her passing is a significant loss for music as well as activism and scholarship. It was Dr. Reagon’s 26-part Wade in the Water radio documentary that played a significant role in my gospel music education. Because it aired on Chicago’s WBEZ in the wee hours of the morning, I taped it and listened to the replay in the car on the way to work. To this day, I still have 24 episodes on cassette.

Dr.  Reagon’s daughter, Toshi Reagon, an incredibly talented person in her own right, posted the following on Facebook:

Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, a multi-award-winning force and cultural voice for freedom, transitioned on July 16, 2024.

As a scholar, singer, composer, organizer and activist, Dr. Reagon spent over half a century speaking out against racism and systemic inequities in the U.S. and globally. Born in Dougherty County outside of Albany, Georgia on the 4th of October 1942, she was field secretary of SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) and a founding member of the original SNCC Freedom Singers, formed in 1962. In 1966, she was a founding member of the Atlanta-based Harambee Singers. In 1973, while a graduate student of history at Howard University and vocal director of the D.C. Black Repertory Company, Dr. Reagon founded the internationally renowned African American women’s a cappella ensemble, Sweet Honey In The Rock, leading the group until her retirement in 2003.

In 1974, Dr. Reagon began her leadership role at the Smithsonian Institution, which included curating the African Diaspora Program, creating the Program in Black American Culture, and producing and performing on numerous Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. For a decade, beginning in 1993, she served as Distinguished Professor in History at American University (AU) in Washington D.C. Dr. Reagon was named Professor Emerita of History at AU and Curator Emeritus at the Smithsonian. She is the author of numerous publications, compositions, and recordings.

Dr. Reagon has received countless awards and honors for her pioneering work as a scholar and artist, including the Heinz Award for the Arts and Humanities, the Leeway National Award for Women in the Arts, the Presidential Medal for contribution to public understanding of the Humanities, the MacArthur Foundation Genius Award, and the Peabody Award for the groundbreaking Wade in the Water series (NPR/Smithsonian Folkways).

Born to Reverend Jesse Johnson and Beatrice Wise Johnson, Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon’s family members include her life partner Adisa Douglas, children Toshi Reagon and Kwan Reagon, grandchild, Tashawn Nicole Reagon, numerous family members including siblings, Jordan Warren Johnson, Deloris Johnson Spears, Adetokunbo Tosu Tosasolim, Mamie Johnson Rush, several nieces and nephews, and extended family, J. Bob Alotta, Amy Horowitz, James and Miriam Early, and a community of beloved collaborators and fellow artists.

Details regarding a public celebration of life forthcoming. Learn more about Dr. Reagon by clicking on the purple button below