‘Distinguished gentleman’ Bob Johnson, co-publisher of The Charlotte Post, has died
Civic leader Robert “Bob” Johnson, co-publisher of The Charlotte Post, the city’s oldest newspaper, has died. He was 84.
The Post announced his death Wednesday. The Post, which dates to 1878 and was founded several years before the predecessor paper of The Charlotte Observer, calls itself “The Voice of the Black Community.” The Johnson family took over the Charlotte institution 50 years ago in 1974.
On social media, there was an immediate outpouring of grief mingled with fond memories of Johnson, a familiar presence around town and at the paper.
“Such an Incredible Distinguished Gentlemen. Influence, Inspiration during my time at The Charlotte Post & present,” Bebe Davis wrote on Facebook.
Another common sentiment came from Sunya Folayan, who wrote “Thankful for this media presence. And Mr. Johnson’s leadership in our community. Truly, the Johnson Brothers: legends in our time.”
And actress Berlinda Tolbert, a Charlotte native best known for her role as Jenny on the ‘70s sit-com “The Jeffersons,” wrote on Facebook, “I am so very sorry to hear this. His important work of service to our community has been and continues to be so very vital.”
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About Bob Johnson
Johnson had worked as co-publisher with his brother Gerald since 1986. They took over after their father, Bill, had died. At the time, Bob was teaching sixth grade and Gerald was a banker, the Observer reported in a 2014 story about the family.
Bob Johnson graduated from West Charlotte High in 1957 and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Johnson C. Smith University in 1961, according to the Post.
Johnson was such a popular teacher, The Post reported, that long after he had retired from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, former students would come up to him on the street to thank him for his influence on them.
At The Post, Johnson played many roles over the years, including as columnist, circulation manager and ad sales representative, the paper stated.
“He was my brother. He was my best friend. … He was over our circulation and just gave us so much,” Post Publisher Gerald Johnson told QCity Metro. “He’s gonna be greatly missed, not only for his service to the publication but for his service as my best friend, and it’s gonna be hard, really hard, to fill that.”
Foundation board remembers Johnson
Ellison Clary, board chair for The Charlotte Post Foundation, said Johnson was a genuine person and that anyone who knew him “knew he was the real deal.”
“If he told you he was going to do something, you could count on that happening,” Clary said. “If he told you how he felt about something, you knew that’s exactly the way he felt. There were no nuances. That’s what he meant.”
The foundation is a nonprofit that offers after-school programs and scholarships.
Clary knew Johnson for more than 40 years. But it wasn’t until Clary became chair of the board that he got to know Johnson more because of their monthly meetings. There, Clary learned of Johnson’s passion for baseball and his desire to see society become more equitable.
Johnson was dedicated to The Charlotte Post, Clary said. When papers arrived for the week at 4:30 a.m. to be distributed, Johnson was there to meet the trucks.
“I would call him a true friend, and he’s somebody that I’m fortunate to have been associated with,” Clary said. “I’m really going to miss him. I’m sure a lot of people are.
“To be associated with Bob Johnson was an extremely positive element in your life.”
Johnson always focused on education, said foundation board member Malaika Brewer.
Growing up, Brewer said she could always rely on The Charlotte Post to make sure that she and others had all the tools they needed to succeed. The paper developed such a prominence among the Black community that everyone knew the Johnson family.
Up to his passing, he continued to make sure the paper was informative, she said.
“It was where we as African-Americans got our news, the trusted news,” Brewer said. “We knew what was going on, what had an effect on our life.”
Johnson wanted to make sure the paper grew, Brewer said. He pushed for it and the foundation to continue supporting students in the community by furthering their education, while adapting to changes in the news industry.
“A lot of times, people that age are not interested in social media,” Brewer said. “They want to hold on to what they know to be true and what was part of their life. And he was really interested in moving towards the future.”
Update: The Johnson family will hold a visitation from 11:30 a.m. to noon on June 14 at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 7237 Tuckaseegee Road.
The funeral will take place after and will be followed by Johnson’s burial at 1:30 p.m. at York Memorial Park, 5150 South Tryon St.
This story was originally published June 6, 2024 at 8:46 AM.
