Infomation on the life of composer, James Weldon Johnson, and how his song, Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing, changed America.

1. The life of composer,
James Weldon Jonson, and how his
song affected America.
By: Erica Thomas

2. James Weldon
Johnson o Born in 1871 in
Jacksonville, Florida to James
and Helen Johnson during a
time of heavy racism and open
discrimination.
oJohnson’s father taught he
and his brother, J.
Rosamond, the importance of
uplifting the African-
American community and
being all they could be no
matter their skin color.

3. o Seeing the racial issues in
Early Community America, Johnson soon became
Involvement committed to making a
difference in his community.
oReceived his BA degree from
Atlanta University in 1894.
oAppointed principal of Staton
School; which he later expanded
to high school status making it
the first public high school for
African Americans in Florida.
oFounded The Daily
American, an afternoon daily
serving Florida’s A.A.
population.
Atlanta University oJohnson became locally known
for his writings and leadership.

4. Writing Lift Every o In 1900, Johnson and his
Voice and Sing brother, J. Rosamond, wrote
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing to be
sung at Staton School’s Lincoln
Birthday celebration.
o The year 1900 was only 35
years after the end of the Civil
War and 25 years into the
establishment of the Jim Crow
laws.
o After the song was
complete, it was published in
The Daily American and
printed for 500 school children
to sing for the celebration.
James Weldon Johnson and his brother, J. Rosamond

5. Popularity Of The Song
o Johnson and his brother
moved to New York shortly
after the
performance, leaving the
memory of the song behind.
o The school children and
people in the community
continued to sing and teach
the song to others.
o In 20 years, Lift Ev’ry Voice
A group of school children; the main
reason for the popularity of Lift Ev’ry and Sing was being sung all
Voice and Sing. over the south.

6. o In New York, Johnson
Negro National continued his work as a
Anthem community leader through
literature and public action.
o Johnson was appointed Chief
Secretary of the Nation Asso. Of
the Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP) during the
1920’s Harlem Renaissance.
o Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing had
become a very popular song in
the A.A. community.
o NAACP adopted the song as its
official song, sparking the
A group of NAACP members reference to the song as the
Negro National Anthem.

7. Influence On The Community
oSince the 1920s, Lift every Voice
and sing has become one of the
most beloved songs in the African
American community. Taught for
years in schools, churches, and civic
organizations and sung throughout
the civil rights movement of the
1950s, it is still heard in gatherings
across America. James Weldon
Johnson’s lyrics pay homage to a
history of struggle but never
waivers from a sense of optimism
for the future.

8. Influence On The Community Con.
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing’s message of
strength and hope has made the song a
source of inspiration for generation after
generation to break down the racial walls
and help shape the ever-progressing
American Nation. This sense of perseverance
and progression, promoted by Lift Every
Voice and Sing, is what helped create
avenues for American leaders, such as:
George Washington Carver, Martin Luther
King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Malcolm
X, Condoleezza Rice, Oprah Whinfrey, and
President Barak Obama.

9. Lift every voice and sing,
1st Stanza of Lift Every 'Til earth and heaven ring,
Voice and Sing Ring with the harmonies of
Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the
rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that
the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that
the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new
day begun,
Let us march on 'til victory is
won.

10. Photos: Google Images