Emory names Oxford College building after groundbreaking Black judge

There was once a time, not too many decades ago, that African Americans weren’t allowed to teach at Emory University.

On Friday, Emory renamed one of the oldest buildings on its Oxford College campus after a barrier-breaking Black judge who graduated from the school.

Language Hall, built in 1874 and renovated in 2013, is now called Horace J. Johnson Jr. Hall, the first structure on Oxford’s campus in Newton County named after a Black person.

Johnson, who died last year at the age of 61, was part of a small group of Black fourth graders who integrated the Newton County school system in the late 1960s. He was the first Black attorney to practice in Newton. In 2002, Johnson became the first Black Superior Court judge to serve in the Alcovy Judicial Circuit (comprised of Newton and Walton counties).

“He is making history once again,” Emory University President Gregory Fenves said of Johnson during a renaming ceremony attended by several hundred people.

Johnson’s widow, mother, colleagues and friends shared stories about his desire to help others, being a mentor and his love for Oxford College. He started a Boys & Girls Club in the area and served on Oxford’s Board of Counselors. Friends said Johnson, guided by his strong Christian faith, was particularly interested in steering young people from the wrong side of the justice system.

“He was always willing to help,” said Alcovy Judicial Circuit Judge Cheveda McCamy, who became one of his mentees.

McCamy and others talked about the importance of sustaining Johnson’s legacy of community service.

“Let us commit to being a friend, mentor and leader, especially to those who are in need of our support,” said Sarah Bekele, president of Oxford’s Black Student Alliance.

Superior Court Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr., of Newton County, died July 1, 2020.

Oxford College is an undergraduate division of Emory University for first- and second-year students. Johnson enrolled there when he was just 15, his mother said. He earned an undergraduate degree there, a business degree at Emory’s School of Business and his law degree from the University of Georgia. UGA established the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Lecture on Race, Law and Policy in his memory last year.

Many attendees took pictures of the hall that now bears Johnson’s name after the hourlong ceremony.