GREENSBORO, NC – December 4, 2024 – The City of Greensboro mourns the loss of Yvonne Johnson, a trailblazer, community advocate, and tireless servant who passed away at 82. Though I never had the privilege of knowing her personally, her indelible mark on this community is undeniable. She embodied the spirit of Greensboro through her leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.
My admiration for Yvonne Johnson grew during her advocacy for the Neighborhood Conversation Overlay (NCO) initiative, brought forward by the Friendly Avenue group of concerned neighbors. Johnson’s support for the NCO at that pivotal City Council meeting shone brightly. Her thoughtful and encouraging comments celebrated the collective efforts of residents who worked tirelessly to establish the overlay. She understood the importance of fostering unity and collaboration in addressing the concerns of Greensboro’s neighborhoods, and her words inspired those around her to keep striving for progress.
Yvonne Johnson’s legacy is built on decades of service. From her historic tenure as Greensboro’s first African American mayor to her role as Mayor Pro-Tem and a longstanding at-large member of the City Council, she dedicated her life to the city’s betterment. Her career spanned more than 30 years of public service, during which she championed countless initiatives to uplift individuals and strengthen the community.
Beyond politics, she touched lives through her leadership of One Step Further, a nonprofit she founded in 1982 to provide mediation and court alternatives for youth and families in crisis. She also broke barriers as the first African American member of the Junior League in North Carolina and served as the inaugural president of the Women’s Resource Center. Her dedication to service wasn’t just a career—it was her calling.
Johnson’s impact resonates through her work with organizations like the Malachi House and the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, where she was recently honored with a lifetime community service award. Her mantra, “Service is the rent you pay for your time on earth,” is a testament to her life and the lessons she imparted to her children, grandchildren, and all who knew her.
Mayor Nancy Vaughan’s words aptly capture the city’s collective grief: “Our city lost one of its champions.” Yvonne Johnson’s leadership, rooted in faith, service, and unshakable dedication, made Greensboro a better place for all. While her absence leaves a void, her legacy remains a guiding light for future generations.
As Greensboro reflects on her life, we celebrate her many accomplishments and her heart for people. Yvonne Johnson believed in the power of community, and her efforts to create spaces where every voice mattered will be remembered always.
May her memory be a source of comfort and pride to her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched. Yvonne Johnson was more than a public servant; she was a beacon of hope and a symbol of what it means to live a life of purpose. Her rent has been paid, and Greensboro is forever grateful.
— Nicky Smith
Candidate for City Council District 4
Read More News at these Resources:
Fox 8 News – Yvonne Johnson, Greensboro city councilwoman and former mayor, dies at 82
WFMY News 2 – Greensboro Mayor Pro-Tem Yvonne Johnson dies at 82, city confirms
Yes! Weekly – Greensboro Mayor Pro Tem Yvonne Johnson has died
News & Record – Yvonne Johnson, first Black mayor of Greensboro and ‘matriarch of the council,’ dead at 82
ABC 45 News – Former Greensboro mayor, city council member Yvonne Johnson dead at 82
Triad City Beat – Former Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson dies at 82
Greensboro Sports – Former Mayor of Greensboro, Yvonne Johnson has passed away: Mayor Johnson gone at age 82
Wikipedia – Yvonne Johnson
