Johnsons Win Diversity And Equity Award
The Association for Conflict Resolution will honor Rev. Nelson Johnson and Joyce Johnson with Marvin E. Johnson Diversity and Equity Award at its 9th Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA, October 7-10, 2009. The award winners were nominated for the honor based on their organization of the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the first such commission in the United States, and their history of creating change through diverse aspects of restorative justice.
The Marvin E. Johnson Award recognizes a sustained, outstanding contribution or a specific extraordinary achievement that has enhanced diversity and equity within an area of society. The honor recognizes dedicated leadership, compassion and passionate advocacy of individuals who have successfully contributed to removing barriers or obstacles to full and equal participation at various aspects of society, bridging divides and expanding diversity.
Rev. Nelson and Joyce Johnson have been involved in creating positive change and restorative justice for the homeless, street gangs, immigrants, youth, low wage workers, seniors and many others in need of social justice. In 2004, the Johnsons launched and experiment to deal with the confusion, hurt, blame and injustice rooted in "the Greensboro Massacre," a labor and civil rights march that Nelson led, which resulted in five deaths. Their Truth and Reconciliation Commission has given voice to the grievances that kept their community in moving forward, bringing labor, women's, civic and religious groups to the table to improve the lives of the disenfranchised.
Biography
In 1979, Nelson Johnson led the labor and civil rights march that ended with five deaths and became known as "the Greensboro Massacre." In 2004, Johnson and his wife, Joyce, launched an unprecedented American experiment to deal with the confusion, hurt, blame and injustice rooted in that fateful day. Modeled on the process Nelson Mandela used in post-apartheid South Africa, their Truth and Reconciliation Commission aired the grievances that kept their community from moving forward. Led by residents and nonprofits, Greensboro became an open classroom as thousands took part in hearings, town hall meetings, petition drives and more. The Johnsons brought labor, women's, civic and religious groups to the table to improve the lives of the disenfranchised. They brought former U.S. Nazis to face relatives of their victims, helping both to release long-held pain. Rev. Johnson is now counseling Mississippi officials on how to conduct a similar commission, while working to create a peace treaty among local gangs in Greensboro.
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Website: www.belovedcommunitycenter.org
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