Date of Birth: October 4, 1942
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Biography
Bernice Johnson Reagon is an influential American musician, scholar, and social activist. Born on October 4, 1942, in Dougherty County, Georgia, Reagon has dedicated her life to the preservation and performance of African American music. She is best known as the founder of the Grammy Award-winning African American female a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock. Reagon’s work extends beyond music; she is a noted historian and served as a Distinguished Professor of History at American University and Curator Emeritus at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. Her activism began in the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement, where she was a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Freedom Singers. Over the years, Reagon has received numerous awards for her contributions to music and culture, including the MacArthur Fellowship.
5 Interesting Facts about Bernice Johnson Reagon
1. Bernice Johnson Reagon founded Sweet Honey in the Rock in 1973.
2. She was a member of the SNCC Freedom Singers during the Civil Rights Movement.
3. Reagon received a MacArthur Fellowship in 1989.
4. She served as Curator Emeritus at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.
5. Reagon has a Ph.D. in history from Howard University.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bernice Johnson Reagon
1. “Music is a way of knowing, a form of communication, and when it is used in the service of liberation, it can be a powerful force.”
2. “I believe that singing is a way to be together and to move forward.”
3. “The songs were the backbone of the movement. They were the soul of the movement.”
4. “Freedom is not something that you get and hold onto. It’s something you have to keep fighting for.”
5. “To sing in the midst of struggle is to make a choice to survive.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Bernice Johnson Reagon is estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Bernice Johnson Reagon has one daughter, Toshi Reagon, who is also a musician and an important figure in contemporary folk and blues music.
Relevant Links
2. [Sweet Honey in the Rock Official Site](http://sweethoneyintherock.org/
3. [MacArthur Foundation – Bernice Johnson Reagon](https://www.macfound.org/fellows/351/
4. [American University – Bernice Johnson Reagon](https://www.american.edu/cas/faculty/bjohnson.cfm
5. [Toshi Reagon Official Site](https://www.toshireagon.com/
