Hutchinson to Headline John H. Johnson Museum’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

Arkansas City, Ark. — Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson will headline the 20th anniversary celebration and tribute dinner for the John H. Johnson Museum, honoring nine legislators who sponsored legislation establishing John H. Johnson Day as a statewide memorial holiday.

Presented by the Friends of the John H. Johnson Museum in partnership with the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, the event will be held at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock, October 4, 2025, 5 pm – 8 pm. 

The tribute will recognize Governor Asa Hutchinson for signing the John H. Johnson Day bill into law and the legislative sponsors of House Bill 1950, passed during the 92nd General Assembly in 2019, which officially designated Nov. 1 as John H. Johnson Day in Arkansas.  Honorees include: 

●        Sens. Fred Love and Jamie Scott

●        Former Sens. Eddie Cheatham, Joyce Elliott and Linda Chesterfield

●        Former Reps. Vivian Flowers, Fred Allen, LeeAnn Burch and Don Glover

“John H. Johnson proved that determination, vision and faith in one’s community can redefine history,” said Angela Courtney, spokesperson for the Friends of the John H. Johnson Museum, “his life is a testament to the power of using media to uplift, inform and inspire.”

Hutchinson praised Johnson’s enduring legacy and Arkansas roots:

“John H. Johnson’s story reminds us that greatness can emerge from any corner of our state. His influence reached millions, and his commitment to truth and representation remains a guiding light.  I appreciate the important legislation that honors John H. Johnson, an American icon and Arkansas entrepreneurial giant,” Hutchinson said.

Widely considered one of the most influential African American publishers in U.S. history, Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996 and earned more than 30 honorary degrees throughout his lifetime.

For more information, contact:
Kaela Thomas, 1-512-961-0838