Bernice Johnson Reagon, a towering figure in civil rights and music, has passed away at the age of 81. The sad news was shared by her daughter, Toshi Reagon, through a heartfelt Facebook post.
Born in Georgia, Bernice Johnson Reagon was steeped in a legacy of faith and activism from the get-go. As the daughter of a Baptist minister, she grew up in an environment that celebrated both spiritual and social justice. At just 16, she began her musical studies at Albany State University, a historically Black college in Georgia. This was the same city where Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was famously arrested in 1962, an event that sparked national outrage and further highlighted the strong connection between the civil rights movement and the song traditions of Black churches in the South.
Reagon often reflected on how the civil rights movement gave her a profound understanding of the old spirituals she grew up with. In a compelling interview with Terry Gross, she remarked, "When you're in the civil rights movement, that's the first time you establish yourself in a relationship that's pretty close to the same relationship that used to get the Christians thrown in the lion's den. And so, for the first time, those old songs you understand in a way that nobody could ever teach you."
Bernice Johnson Reagon's musical journey took off when she co-founded the Freedom Singers in the early 1960s. This a cappella group was closely linked with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), an organization famous for its direct-action protests like the Freedom Rides and sit-ins. The Freedom Singers used their powerful voices to capture the struggles and aspirations of the movement, with songs like "They Laid Medgar Evers in His Grave" vividly illustrating their dedication.
In 1963, Bernice married Cordell Reagon, another co-founder of the Freedom Singers. The couple had two children, Kwan and Toshi, before their marriage ended in divorce in 1967. The early 1970s saw Bernice embarking on a new chapter with the formation of Sweet Honey in the Rock. This all-women a cappella group became renowned for its rich catalog of spirituals and socially conscious music, earning three Grammy nominations. Sweet Honey in the Rock’s membership was known for its dynamic nature, evolving over time, and Bernice Reagon remained a driving force until her retirement in 2004.
Aside from her musical achievements, Reagon was a prominent academic voice in the study of Black music traditions. She served as a professor of history at American University in Washington, D.C., where her work significantly impacted the field. In 1970, she curated a groundbreaking festival through the Smithsonian titled "Black Music Through the Languages of the New World." Her contributions to academia didn’t stop there; in 1972, she joined forces with other scholars to develop the African Diaspora program and also founded and directed the Program in Black American Culture at the National Museum of American History.
One of her standout achievements in media was overseeing the creation of the Peabody Award-winning NPR documentary series "Wade in the Water: African American Sacred Music Traditions" in 1994. This 26-part series explored the rich history of African American sacred music and showcased Reagon's deep commitment to preserving and sharing Black musical heritage.
Reagon's remarkable contributions earned her numerous accolades, including a Ph.D. from Howard University, a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant," the Charles E. Frankel Prize, and the Presidential Medal from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
She is survived by her life partner, Adisa Douglas, her children Toshi and Kwan Reagon, a grandchild, Tashawn Nicole Reagon, and a host of other family members. Bernice Johnson Reagon leaves behind a legacy of powerful music, academic excellence, and an unwavering commitment to civil rights and Black culture.
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