Rev. Dr. Ronald A. Johnson, Sr. (’06) committed to engaging Black History at Baylor University
The following is an excerpt from The Wacoan article by Susan Bean Aycock, “Baylor University’s Dr. Ronald Angelo Johnson expands historical narratives to recognize critical contributions of Black Americans,” published in their February 2025 issue. Click here to read the full article.
“’Dr. King was a Baptist preacher and the 
first Black man that I knew of who had a Ph.D.. I chose Boston University School of Theology because that’s where he went. When I was writing my dissertation, married with two children, I remembered from his book that he wrote his dissertation at the kitchen table in the early morning while he was pastoring. I wrote my dissertation while I was pastoring. He really showed me a pathway to education, to a life as an educated Black man, in ways that I had not seen before.’
…
As his passion for historical inclusion fuels his writing, Dr. Johnson wants to teach not just under-acknowledged Black contributions but their relevance in understanding modern government, politics and race relations. And he doesn’t soft-pedal what he believes to be a mandate for all responsible citizens.
‘It’s not the role of the historian — or diplomat, pastor or chaplain — to tell people what they want to hear,’ he said. ‘Questioning our leaders at municipal, state and national levels remains the responsibility of every American citizen, regardless of party affiliation,’ he continued. ‘Great moments in our nation’s history — the American Revolution, the Progressive and Civil Rights eras, the Black Lives Matter movement — have been about people demanding answers from their leaders.’”