TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Willie E. Johnson 1939-2024 Retired Chicago-based Educator
T he Chicago Heights (IL) Alumni Chapter mourns the loss of Brother Willie E. Johnson. On March 31st, 2024, the world bid farewell to Johnson, a beloved resi- dent of Olympia Fields, IL, and a proud native of Nashville, TN. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming a pillar of his community is a testament to his unwavering dedica- tion and profound impact on countless lives. Johnson’s educational journey began at Pearl Senior High School, where his athletic prowess shone brightly on the football field. After graduating in 1963, he pursued higher education at Fisk Univer- sity, where he excelled academically and demon- strated his athletic talent as a standout defensive back on the football team. While in school, Johnson joined the Fraternity as a 1962 initiate of the Fisk Uni- versity Chapter, the Alpha Delta of Kappa Alpha Psi. Despite receiving offers
“IN 2024, THE LOCAL CHICAGO AREA CHAPTERS RECOGNIZED JOHNSON FOR HIS 58 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE 40TH ANNUAL CHICAGO METRO FOUNDERS’ DAY ...”
opportunities for quali- fied black candidates and devise a system to identify minority candidates for consideration for head coaching jobs. “We tried to give the commissioner information about our feelings and tell him how people around the coun- try felt. Any dialogue can raise consciousness,” he commented. The meeting with Com- missioner Tagliabue was a precursor to the establish- ment, a few years later of the NFL Bill Walsh Diver- sity Coaching Fellowship; Fritz Pollard Alliance; and the NFL’s Rooney Rule. All three programs have played an instrumental step in highlighting minority can- didates for head coach and team executive positions to NFL franchises for the last quarter-century. A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi and a member of the athletic halls of fame for Long Beach City College and Northern Arizona University. ♦
to pursue a professional football career, Johnson chose a different path, driven by his passion to empower and uplift young black men and women in the Chicago urban area. He transitioned to a career in education, earning master’s degrees from Northeastern University and Concordia University in Chicago. Johnson’s impact on the Chicago community was profound and enduring. For over three decades, he served as an elementary school teacher and assistant principal at James R. Doolit- tle Elementary School in the
Bronzeville neighborhood. His dedication to shaping the minds and futures of countless students exem- plified his commitment to educational excellence and empowerment. In addition to his distinguished career in education, Johnson was a devoted member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., serving as the seventh Polemarch of the Chicago
Heights (IL) Alumni Chapter from 1980 to
1983. His contributions to the fraternity were immea- surable. In 2024, the local Chicago area chapters recognized Johnson for
SPRIMG 2025 ♦ THE JOURNAL 83
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