Beverly Elaine Johnson is the daughter of
the Late William Van Johnson and Julia
Atlas Johnson. She was born in Memphis
but grew up in Michigan. She was a 1970
Graduate of Ann Arbor Pioneer High School
in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Bev received her
Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rust College
in English Literature and a Master of Science
Degree in Education/Media Technology from
Jackson State University. She received
certication degree in Substance Abuse
Counseling from Southwest Tennessee
Community College, as a certication in
Drug Court Counseling from the Drug
Court Institute in Nashville, Tennessee.
Her journey has been an experience of
watching God used all her life experiences,
training, and passion to uplift His people
with knowledge to live a better life. She
became a broadcasting journey began in
1974 at WJSU Radio which eventually led
her to WOKJ, WJMI and WKXI Radio
Stations in Jackson, Mississippi working
as a Disc Jockey, Programming Assistant,
Public Affair Director and News Director.
In 1981, the journey continued to Memphis,
Tennessee working at WLOK, WMQM,
WWEE, WLVS and the place the legendary
WDIA where she has been employed for
thirty-eight years and continues to host
“The Bev Johnson Show”, in its 34th year.
Her work as host of the show is community
and civic mind. Bev continues to work her
motto through community service.
She is a former Board Member of the Rock
N Soul Museum, Memphis Area Planned
Parenthood, the National Black Programmers
Coalition, and Memphis City Beautiful.
A former mentor for the Gordon Elementary
School’s Program, Chairperson for the
NAACP Annual Radiothon, Auctioneer for
WKNO Television Action Auction. She
has had membership with the Memphis
Chapter of the Coalition of 100 Black
Women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.,
and a chartered member of the Shelby
County Chartered Member of the Shelby
County (TN) Alumnae Chapter of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
She has been honored by her industry
and community with awards: News/Public
Affairs Director by the National Black
Programmers Coalition, UNCF Outstanding
Alumnus Award 1995, National Association
of Broadcasters, and Billboard’s Personality
of the Year. Recognized for excellence in
broadcast by the Tennessee General Assembly
House of Representative, Memphis City
Council, Shelby County Commission, and
the U.S. House of Representatives for her
show on WDIA radio, she makes us proud
every day. The Library of Congress in
Washington, D.C inducted Bev Johnson
into the History Makers Media Division,
Her Oral History, and the Tennessee Radio
Hall of Fame entered her in the 2019 Career
Class of Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame,
thet African American woman. She
received the 2020 Class of Trail Blazer
Award.
Bev is a faithful member of the Mt. Pisgah
CME Church where she has emceed countless
programs, Chaired the Women’s Day activities,
and participated in Christian mentoring for
young women. She is a constant professional,
an example of leadership and excellence in
crafting a successful career that is self-fullling
and community focused. She is a motivational
speaker and encourages all to celebrate life.
Her motto is “As you treat yourself, you will
treat others.”
Beverly Elaine is daughter
the Late William Juli
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