Whenever he speaks to a group of young people, they invariably wonder why they’re there, how quickly they can leave, and who exactly they’re looking at.

“My name is John Thomas Johnson,” the stranger informs them with startling authority, especially for someone of advanced age, “and I want you to know one thing.”

To engage captive audiences of jaded teenagers, he always begins the same.

“The civil rights movement was the most important thing of the 20th century,” J.T. Johnson says, his deep, gravelly voice intimidating in a way that demands respect. “And you guys—I’m not trying to put you down—but y’all know very little of anything about it.”

He doesn’t expect to be recognized. No schools or streets are named for him. He isn’t famous, though arguably he should be.

“J.T. was a perso

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