Miami – During desegregation in the 1960s, Frances Johnson led the fight for equality for Blacks to live in all-white neighborhoods and for African American kids to attend all-White schools in Miami-Dade County.

Her protest along with other Black women helped paved the way for equality when desegregation ended and Black children were allowed to enroll in schools that previously prohibited any Blacks from walking through the front door.

Johnson was one of the first Black parents to walk her children into an all-White school, Earlington Heights Elementary School, 4750 N.W. 22nd Avenue, on Sept. 6, 1961, and to showcase that pivotal day in local Black history, community leaders honored Johnson in a mural recently unveiled at the school.

Johnson died last year at the age of 89.

The mural features Johnson at the top with other members of her family painted below.

Aladdin the Artist was chosen to paint the mural.

Lorenzo Johnson, Francis Johnson’s only surviving children, said the mural reflects his mother’s and other Black parents’ struggle for racial equality as well as others who fought for equality throughout the country.

Johnson, a local pastor and advocate against gun violence in the Black community, said for the past six years, has dedicated the month of February to speak to students at the school about his experience during desegregation as part of Black History.

The mural was a historical experience that he wanted to share with students.

“Some kids don’t know where they came from. We always think that where you came from has a value to it,” he said. “If you see the picture there, she’s standing tall, walking her kids in there, and I’m just so proud and happy to have this going on today for my mother.”

Johnson recalls vividly that day his mother walked her three children into Earlington Heights Elementary School.

He was nine years old at the time and security was tight around the school to prevent any violence from white people who protested the end of desegregation.

Johnson said he had an unwanted feeling going to an all-white school but his experience turned out good.

"I was happy," said Johnson. "We got along with white students. I was very excited but it was a scary experience." Johnson said his mother and other Black parents were determined to make sure their kids got the same quality education as their white counterparts.

"She was adamant about the kids," Johnson said. "She led her children through the situation and it was a pretty good day, a historic day."

Johnson said his family previ-ously lived in Overtown where they attended Phyllis Wheatley Elementary School.

They moved to the Brownsville area in a predominantly white neighborhood.

Johnson said white people started moving out as Blacks were moving in.

"We moved in an area next door to white people and they left," he said. "The area started changing, it was all white folks as your neighbors and after a while they moved out when Blacks arrived in the area."

Johnson said his mother’s early childhood and school days were spent in Howard, Florida, attending various schools in the area.

She married his father Leroy B. Johnson and the couple was married for sixty-two years before his death in 2011.

They had three children, Lorenzo, Ralph and Delores Johnson.

Frances Johnson helped run the family’s daycare business in Miami and was a community activist, fighting for the rights and equality for Blacks.

"Frances Johnson was indeed a very active lady, and her legacy continued to live through her children," Johnson said. "Her passion, strong belief in equality and determination to make this world a better place for her children helped set the platform to inspire them to affect positive change in the lives of young people today. "

This year, U.S. Congresswoman Fredrica Wilson honored Johnson for being one of the first parents to walk her children into the all-white school by naming May 21, 2022 Frances Johnson Day.

Earlington Heights Principal Jackson J. Nicolas said his school values the history of the community and the mural honoring Johnson is an example.

“At Earlington Heights Elementary, we work tirelessly every day to deliver a caring and safe learning environment, with rigorous and relevant curricula for our students," said Nicolas, who was named 2022 Miami-Dade County Schools Principal of the Year.

"We value our community and the history of our community. We welcome this opportunity that beautifies our school, honors our community and enhances both the teaching and the learning of our students.”