BY TERI R. WILLIAMS PHOTOS BY RUTH ENGLISH AND MICHAEL JOHNSON
As a child, his father constantly reminded him of his
worth and that he was "made for great things." Now
Michael Johnson is fulfilling that vision by mentoring
young people in the community.
ollege can be stressful for anyone, but as the
only African-American piano major, Michael
felt under the spotlight. The internal pressure
to prove himself made every performance
something to dread. “I imagined everyone was
looking at me and judging me differently. But
this perception came from my own insecurities. I had
some tough professors, but so did everyone else,” said
Michael. It was a realization that followed an intense
journey of self-discovery and healing.
Michael could have stayed in a mindset of selfdoubt
and comparison, but the uncle who raised him
as a son told him again and again, “You don’t see it
yet, Michael, but you’re made for great things.” What
Willie Haynes saw in his adopted son was not based on
culture or circumstance but a truth that came straight
from Heaven.
Michael was three months old when his biological
father, Michael Johnson, Sr., took him from Long
Beach, California, to Vidalia to live with his sister,
Barbara. “My biological mother’s name was Veronica
Horsley. At the time, she was dealing with her own
personal struggles. Years later, my biological father
told me that he always knew bringing me to Vidalia
was a divine decision.” Michael was five years old when
his Aunt Barbara married Willie Haynes. He was not
only a well-respected minister in the community but
also served as Toombs County’s Chief Tax Assessor for
many years.
Michael’s aunt and uncle raised him as their son
in every sense. “I grew up in a very religious home,
My dad was the founder and pastor of New Vision
Missionary Baptist Church, and my mom was very
involved in church ministry,” he said.
His adopted family encouraged his connection with
his biological family. “They called me every Christmas
and on my birthday. I even flew out to California to
visit them and my two half-brothers a couple of times.”
When Michael was about nine years old, his biological
parents moved from California to Georgia. Although
he could now see them more easily, the closeness only
intensified his questions. “I was well taken care of and
loved, but I still struggled to understand why I had to
be raised apart from my brothers.”
A piano that had once belonged to his grandmother
helped Michael find his way. “When I was in the third
grade, my dad’s brother, Uncle Larry, showed me
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