Dr. Charles Denton Johnson
Associate Professor of History | Chair, Department of History
North Carolina Central University
Renowned as a transformative academic leader, award-winning educator, and internationally recognized public historian, Dr. Johnson has dedicated his career to advancing the study of history, empowering students, and fostering inclusive historical practice.
A proud graduate of NCCU’s M.A. program in History, Dr. Johnson returned to his alma mater in 2015 to direct the Public History Program. In 2023, he was appointed Chair of the Department of History, a nationally recognized leader in training African American historians. Under his leadership, the department has continued its distinction as the top producer of African American history graduates at the B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. levels within the University of North Carolina System. Today, the department can boast that the cumulative GPA for history majors is 3.3.
Dr. Johnson’s scholarship includes co-authoring Topics on African Diaspora History (2016) and NC A&T vs. NCCU: More Than Just a Game (2023), the latter chronicling the century-long history of the Aggie-Eagle football rivalry through archival photography, press coverage, and the rediscovery of a pivotal 1922 game. As a public historian, he has curated significant exhibitions, including serving as Lead Historian and Co-Curator of America’s Voices Against Apartheid. This groundbreaking international exhibit debuted at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, South Africa, in May 2023 and later appeared at the Kennedy Center’s Hall of Nations in Washington, D.C.
A specialist in African Diaspora, African American, and Public History, Dr. Johnson’s research focuses on 20th-century transnational Black anti-colonial movements, particularly the global fight for South African liberation, as well as local and community histories with an emphasis on Black Durham. His two decades of experience as an oral historian have produced impactful initiatives such as the American Voices Against Apartheid Oral History Project, Black Chatham Project, and North Carolina Black Lawyers Oral History Project, each centering marginalized voices and promoting ethical, community-engaged research.
Dr. Johnson is also a pioneer in digital humanities, exploring innovative intersections of history and technology. As a member of the 2024–2026 Responsible AI Cohort at the National Humanities Center, he is advancing interdisciplinary approaches to studying the African Diaspora in the age of artificial intelligence. His work includes co-curating AI and the African Diaspora, a collaborative course with Johnson C. Smith University that unites Africana Studies, history, and computer science to explore AI’s potential for cultural preservation, racial equity, and inclusive knowledge production.
Since returning to NCCU, Dr. Johnson has secured over $210,000 in grants for student success initiatives, public history exhibitions, oral history projects, and curriculum development. As Department Chair, he has raised more than $100,000 to support scholarships, student programming, and departmental innovation. His mentorship has guided students to prestigious Ph.D. programs at institutions such as Brown University, Columbia University, and UNC-Chapel Hill.
Dr. Johnson holds a B.A. in Marketing from Morehouse College, an M.A. in African History from NCCU, and a Ph.D. in African Diaspora and Public History from Howard University. He is a recipient of multiple teaching and research awards from NCCU’s College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities and is listed in Who’s Who in America. He also serves on the National Board of Directors for the National Council on Public History and actively contributes to organizations advancing historical scholarship, public engagement, and equity in education.
At the core of Dr. Johnson’s work is a steadfast commitment to democratizing history. Through his scholarship, teaching, and public engagement, he recovers the stories of everyday people, empowers students through transformative learning experiences, and forges meaningful connections between academic institutions and the communities they serve. His contributions continue to shape the fields of African American and African Diaspora history, public humanities, and inclusive historical practice.
