Johnny Johnson, M.Ed., is a native of Covington, GA, and has been a resident of Erie for 45 years. Mr. Johnson taught health and physical education at various middle and high schools in Erie’s Public Schools for more than 30 years before retiring. He coached many athletic teams and was the first African American to coach a varsity basketball team in Erie’s history. He earned his master’s degree in Curriculum and Administration in HPE from Slippery Rock University after earning his bachelor’s degree in education from Fort Valley State University. He is one of the founding members of the Harry T. Burleigh Society, has participated in numerous historical programs, and is the author of Erie African Americans in the 1880s.