William A. Johnson Jr., the first African American mayor of Rochester, New York, was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, on August 22, 1942. He attended Howard University from 1961 to 1967, completing Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Political Science and Government in 1967. This education laid a strong foundation for his future, allowing him to explore policy, social justice, and governance issues. Before entering politics, Johnson served 23 years with the Urban League. His first two years were as the Deputy Executive Director of the branch in Flint, Michigan. In December of 1972, he moved to Rochester, New York and spent the next 21 years as President and CEO of that city’s Urban League.
In 1994 Johnson ran for mayor of Rochester, winning on a platform that championed inclusivity and revitalization. This historic election marked him as the first Black mayor of a major upstate New York city. He won with an impressive margin of more than 72 percent. Johnson was re-elected in 1997, and 2001, serving a total of 12 years in the office.
Johnson understood that Rochester, like many urban centers, needed effective and innovative approaches to combat economic stagnation and social challenges. Throughout his tenure, he focused on renewing the city’s economic infrastructure by encouraging new businesses to establish themselves and create more jobs. He also addressed systemic issues including exclusion of the poor and working class from city governance matters and the economic disparities that were rampant in underserved communities. However, his most significant accomplishments were in improving community-police relations. Under his administration, Rochester prioritized police reform strategies aimed at making police more accountable and building trust between law enforcement and the community.
Although his term as Mayor ended in 2005, Johnson continues to advocate for community reform through education and public service. In 2006 he took on a teaching role at the Rochester Institute of Technology, focusing on public and urban policy. He was recognized as a distinguished Frederick Minnett Professor and remained a prominent figure at the university until his departure in 2013 when he founded Strategic Community Intervention, LLC (SCI).
SCI is a consulting company with three primary areas of practice: citizen engagement in community development initiatives, local government restructuring and modernization, and strategic planning and risk management for public sector and not-for-profit organizations. SCI’s mission is to create long-term sustainable solutions that encourage collaboration, instead of conflict, between marginalized communities and their local governments.
Johnson has received four honorary doctorate degrees, and over 200 recognitions/ awards. Additionally, he still chairs organizations such as the Resolutions Committee of the National Conference of Black Mayors, and Partners for Livable Communities engaged in campaigns for social justice.
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Hobart and William Smith Colleges (n.d.). William Johnson: Former Mayor of Rochester, New York; Hobart and William Smith Colleges President’s Forum, https://www.hws.edu/offices/president/presidents-forum/johnson.aspx; U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. (n.d.). William A. Johnson Jr. Biography, https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/William%20A.%20Johnson_bio.pdf; Governing (n.d.); William Johnson Jr., Public Official of the Year, https://www.governing.com/poy/william-johnson-jr.html.
