Mary J Grant

Moving North The Johnson Family in the Great Migration Mary J Grant

The Johnson family, whose goal was to live the American dream, began in the South, where racism, classism, and Jim Crow laws were the way of life. They believed resettling in the north would provide the best opportunities for them and their children. Their quest for a brighter future, however, didn't shield them from the harsh realities of racism.

Moving North shares how Fred Johnson, a humble, hard-working, God-fearing man, and his family summoned their collective courage, relied on their faith, wits, and unrelenting tenacity, to move and built a new life, one hard-fought struggle at a time.




Follow their journey as they meet obstacles and challenges with grace, dignity, and an eye on their ultimate goals and not only create a new reality for themselves but help shape a new community in what was affectionately known as Hogbottom.