Ms. Cheryl Johnson-Knight , prominent local Educator, Entrepreneur, and daughter of the late community activist, Frank Johnson, volunteered to be a “celebrity” reader at the Kings Park Community Center in East Macon during the National Education Association’s annual Read Across America Week on March 2nd.

Ms. Johnson-Knight is the daughter of the ironic Frank Johnson who is well known for his countless achievements in the Macon community and the national Civil Rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s. Mr. Johnson became a powerful force in the Civil Rights Movement and participated in several non-violent protests, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., throughout the South and in Washington, DC. Johnson organized Macon’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. march until his health did not allow him to do so; but, he continued to be a reference for those who wanted to carry on his civil rights legacy.

Mr. Johnson also was a profound community activist for the vulnerable in Macon; and, was often referred to as the “Mayor of Unionville“. His courage, commitment and immeasurable contributions opened many doors for countless people in Macon, across the state of Georgia, as well as, throughout the southeastern United States.

The former City of Macon, Parks & Recreation Center, in the Unionville Community was renamed the “Frank J. Johnson Recreation Center” in 2002 in honor of Mr. Johnson’s achievements and vested interest his ‘beloved’ Unionville community. Johnson was also the Co-Founder, of the Unionville Improvement Association, a community-based initiative that advocated for racial and equitable parity for the vulnerable residents of Unionville.

Kelvin Middleton, who was the former Center Director at the Unionville-Frank J. Johnson Recreation Center for 17.5 years, states that Mr. and Mrs. Frank Johnson were pillars in the community, “Their doors were always open to all without judgement and without fear; and, they instilled hope, value, purpose and the ability to love others in Unionville”, states Middleton.

The Kings Park Community Center staff and parents of the After School Program youth were honored to have the phenomenal, Ms. Cheryl Johnson-Knight as a volunteer guest reader for this event.

MORE ABOUT FRANK J. Johnson

Frank Johnson’s wife, daughter remember his legacy as ‘Mayor of Unionville.’

Frank Johnson’s wife, daughter remember his legacy as ‘Mayor of Unionvil…Dorothy Johnson, Frank Johnson’s wife, and her daughter Cheryl Johnson Knight talk about Johnson’s impact in the…

https://www.gainformer.com/files/Frank%20Johnson%20Receives%20Award%20from%20Bethel%20CME.htm

MORE ABOUT READ ACROSS AMERICA – DR. SEUSS” DAY

Read Across America Day, also known as Dr Seuss Day, is a yearly observance in the USA inaugurated by the NEA (National Education Association). It is held on the school day that is nearest to 2 March, Dr Seuss birthday. Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American artist, book publisher, animator, poet, a political cartoonist as well as an author. He is best known for authoring over 60 children’s books.

NEA is an American professional interest organization as well as a labor union headquartered in Washington, D.C. The organization represents public school teachers plus other support personnel, staffers and faculty at universities and colleges, educators that have retired as well as college students who are preparing to become teachers.

NEA launched Read Across America, which is an initiative on reading that began in 1997, to encourage children in reading more books and also getting them excited about reading. On 2 March 1998, the first Read Across America Day was celebrated; since then, it has been held annually.

The holiday mainly focuses on motivating children to read as it improves their performance in school. On this day, hospitals, bookstores, community centres, churches, libraries as well as schools host many events. National Education Association members and a total of 50 national associations as well as organizations support the Read Across America Day. National Education Association provides various resource materials for people who want to celebrate the holiday in their unique way. The official website for NEA has many ideas that can be helpful.