Who was Bernice Johnson Reagon? Sweet Honey in the Rock founder and civil rights activist dies aged 81

Well-known social activist and music composer Bernice Johnson Reagon passed away on July 16, 2024, at the age of 81. She was known as the co-founder of the quartet The Freedom Singers and served as a professor of history at the American University.

Although Bernice Johnson Reagon's cause of death has not been confirmed until now, the news was announced by her daughter and musician Toshi Reagon through Facebook. She added two black-and-white photos of Johnson Reagon, saying that detailed information related to a "public celebration of life" is supposed to be revealed soon.

Toshi additionally recalled Bernice Johnson Reagan's work over the years, as well as her early life. Toshi added a quote by Bernice in the caption which reads:

"I was here before I came and when I die, I am not leaving…"

All-woman band Sweet Honey in the Rock, which was also formed by Bernice Johnson Reagon, expressed their gratitude on Facebook by adding a video that featured a performance recorded in Sydney, Australia in 1990. They also wrote:

"It is truly a supreme honor for any ensemble to have that opportunity to travel and share their music with people across the world. We are so thankful to the wonderful people who attended those performances and especially the amazing folks who were able to capture this moment on film."

The Smithsonian Institution said on Facebook that she spent most of her life "using the power of music to fight for freedom and justice."

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Bernice Johnson Reagon became popular as a founder of different groups throughout her career

The Dougherty County, Georgia native was active as a social activist for many years, where she spoke up against issues like racism. She appeared for a conversation with Eyes on the Prize Interviews in 1990, where she revealed that she spent a lot of time outside Albany and had to travel to the town to reach her school. She added:

"I'd graduated from a black high school uh, we didn't call it a high school, we called it Negro, we were Negroes then, with a capital N. Um, and uh, between my house and the college was a white settlement, when the soldiers had apartments, and then there were these rich white houses, and then you had Albany State College."

Bernice Johnson Reagon was 11 years old, when she started enjoying music. Adding that church was one of the things that played an important role in the same. On the other hand, she became attracted to activism as a student at Albany State College.

Bernice Johnson Reagon's website says that she participated in the Civil Rights Movement and was even sent to prison alongside being expelled from the college. She founded the group Sweet Honey in the Rock at a time when she was serving as a vocal director of the DC Black Repertory Theater.

Sweet Honey in the Rock managed to accumulate a huge fanbase among the public with their successful musical projects. Their journey started with a self-titled album in 1976 and the group's achievements and story were featured in a documentary, Raise Your Voice, which came out back in 2005. The band was even nominated at the Grammy Awards a few times.

Bernice Johnson Reagon was involved with a lot of films such as Eyes on the Prize. She was the author of several books like If You Don't Go, Don't Hinder Me: The African-American Gospel Composers.

Bernice's survivors include her children Toshi and Swan, who were born from her marriage to Cordell Reagon.