Omahan who dealt with segregation persisted and achieved firsts for an African-American

[Omaha Steve]

By Janice Gilmore

William H. Johnson grew up in a segregated school system in Plumerville, Arkansas. As a black man born in the late 1930s, he has had many interesting life experiences.

A quiet, soft-spoken gentleman, Johnson also was an ambitious man and knew he wanted to achieve in life even though the times were not favorable for black men.

So, after he graduated from high school, he moved to Kansas City, Kansas, in search of a good job. He was dissatisfied with the limited job opportunities there, so he moved to Omaha, where his parents had relocated for his dad’s job.

In Omaha, Johnson was employed as a custodian, cook helper, bakery helper and at the Omaha Steel foundry.

FULL story: https://www.omaha.com/news/metro/gilmore-omahan-who-dealt-with-segregation-persisted-and-achieved-firsts/article_844875f0-7809-54ef-adf6-e4455fa3c878.html

[malaise]

1. Thanks Omaha Steve

[central scrutinizer]

2. Nebraskan ex-pat here

Is Ernie Chambers still kicking ass and taking names? I voted for him back around 1970.

[Omaha Steve]

3. He is a State Senator again

He had to sit out four years for term limits.

[central scrutinizer]

5. Damn! Good news!

He's been a hero of mine for 50 years!

[BlueWI]

4. Also a native Omahan.

Grew up in North Omaha. Thanks for the post.