1871 - 1938
James Weldon Johnson was an American author, educator, lawyer, and civil rights activist, born on June 17, 1871. He is best known for his work as a leader in the NAACP and for his contributions to literature, particularly for his poem "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which became known as the Black National Anthem. Johnson's advocacy for racial equality and cultural representation played a significant role in the Harlem Renaissance.