Guardian of Progress: Bernette Joshua Johnson – A Talk by Dr. Nghana Lewis

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Howard-Tilton 430

Tulane University Libraries is honored to host Dr. Nghana Lewis for a compelling discussion on the legal and political legacy of Retired Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson. This talk, titled Guardian of Progress: Bernette Joshua Johnson, is part of Dr. Lewis’s forthcoming book, A Plan and a Purpose: How Black Women (Re)Defined Louisiana's Legal, Political, and Cultural Landscapes After Brown.

A distinguished scholar and professor of English and Africana Studies, with affiliations in Tulane’s School of Law and Department of Psychology, Dr. Lewis will focus on Justice Johnson’s tenure as an associate justice on the Louisiana Supreme Court and her role as president of the National Bar Association (NBA). In particular, she will examine a defining moment in Johnson’s career—her unwavering stance in defending the invitation of Justice Clarence Thomas to deliver the keynote address at the NBA’s annual conference despite controversy within the organization.

Through an analysis of the Bernette Joshua Johnson Papers, housed at the Amistad Research Center, Dr. Lewis will explore how Justice Johnson consistently acted as a protector of progress, demonstrating resilience and principled leadership in her decades-long commitment to justice.

This event offers a rare opportunity to gain insight into the legal battles, strategic decision-making, and historical impact of one of Louisiana’s most influential jurists.

Join us for this illuminating discussion on the enduring contributions of Black women to Louisiana’s legal, political, and cultural landscapes.

RSVP: Guardian of Progress: Bernette Joshua Johnson - Tulane Libraries Calendar - Tulane University

3/5/2025