Your Custom Text Here
All summer, I’ve been serving as a Summer Program Associate with the Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute. Recently, I had the chance to help lead one of the most impactful parts of the job so far.
In partnership with the Supreme Court Historical Society, we welcomed 27 high school students from across Alabama’s River Region to dive deep into the U.S. Constitution, the federal courts, and the rights we freely enjoy.
Read moreThe Johnson Institute was honored to host a dynamic group of educators from across the country for the 2025 Johnson Institute Scholars Conference, held June 24–25 at the Frank Johnson Courthouse. These dedicated educators came to us with a shared commitment to deepening their understanding of the Constitution, the rule of law, and civil rights.
Read moreThe Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute hosted the Faith & Politics Institute in America’s Courtroom, the historic courtroom of Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr., during its 2025 Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama. Approximately 225 visitors from Washington, DC, including Members of Congress, filled the courtroom for the morning program. The program included a thought-provoking look at Judge Johnson’s career and its connections to Supreme Court Justice William Brennan by American University Law Professor Dr. Steve Wermiel and Johnson Institute Board Member and lawyer Peter Canfield.
Read moreAttorney Fred Gray, who filed historic cases in the Middle District of Alabama, recently joined the court and the Johnson Institute to discuss his career and relationship with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program was a joint effort between the ALMD and the Institute in honor of this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr, Day.
Read more
The Johnson Institute is thrilled to announce an upcoming partnership with the Supreme Court Historical Society and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Supreme Court and My Hometown. This engaging federal court program will take place in Montgomery, Alabama from July 14-18, 2025. It is free and open to high school students in Montgomery and surrounding areas.
Read moreMiddle and high school teachers of history, government, social studies and related courses are invited to apply for the 2025 Class of the Johnson Institute Scholars in Montgomery, Alabama!
Read moreGrowth, growth, and more growth would be a good description of 2024 at the Johnson Institute! We are rising to meet the nationwide desire to learn about the U.S. Constitution and the judiciary, as well as the importance of the rule and role of law in our society.
Read moreRecently, the Johnson Institute staff presented at the A+ College Ready Social Studies Fall Workshop and Conference. The fall social studies workshop brings together educators from across Alabama for a two-day long conference on strategies and resources for teaching social studies…
Read moreMy first encounter with the Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. Institute was during my senior year of high school, when my AP U.S. Government class visited the courthouse for an afternoon. During this visit, we were given a tour of the federal courthouse, including the historic courtroom where Judge Johnson once served. Additionally, we completed the Institute’s Civil Discourse and Difficult Decisions program, a program that teaches participants how to engage in thoughtful civil discourse through the use of a mock court case.
Read more
The Johnson Institute had a breakout year in 2023!
Read moreExecutive Director Thomas Rains appeared recently on Capitol Journal—a public affairs program produced by Alabama Public Television and hosted by Todd Stacy—to discuss the Johnson Institute, Judge Johnson’s role in the Civil Rights Movement, and the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.
Read moreOn Friday August 9, the first-year law students from the University of Alabama School of Law visited the Frank Johnson Courthouse to learn about the Middle District of Alabama as part of their new student orientation. The entire incoming class of 1Ls plus faculty and staff from the law school attended the event.
Read moreMadeha Javed
In 2018, I moved from Azad Kashmir in Pakistan to the United States in the middle of my sophomore year of high school, feeling more confused than ever. While I couldn’t bring much with me from Kashmir, I made sure to carry my passion for helping others and providing a sense of relief. This passion ignited my interest in law, which was solidified during my senior year of high school. My AP Government teacher, Ms. Kellye Self, gave everyone a copy of the U.S. Constitution and encouraged us to read it, even if we found it boring.
Read moreElizabeth Ray
From July 9th through the 11th, The Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. Institute successfully held its 2024 Scholars Conference. The conference was attended by middle and high school educators from five different states who teach a variety of courses.
Read moreThe Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute hosted a momentous event in America’s Courtroom, the historic courtroom of Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr., with a visit from the Faith & Politics Institute. Approximately 175 visitors from Washington, DC, including Members of Congress, filled the courtroom for the morning program that celebrated the history of several historic cases that changed the nation—paying homage to Judge Johnson's profound impact on American History, civil rights, and the events that took place in the courtroom.
Theater artists from Alabama State University performed a modified version of "Faces of a King," which is based heavily on court transcripts. The program offered insight into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s struggles for justice with poignant excerpts from testimony by a young John Lewis given in that courtroom during Williams v. Wallace, the case of the Selma March, in 1965. The Johnson Institute first commissioned Faces of a King to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January of this year.
Eleventh Circuit Judge Joel F. Dubina then reflected on the landmark case of Williams v. Wallace, providing valuable legal insights and highlighting Judge Johnson's role, while sharing his memories of the Selma March.
Chief U.S. District Judge Emily C. Marks presided over the event, and Johnson Institute Board of Directors Co-Chair Debbie Long articulated the mission of the Johnson Institute, emphasizing its commitment to Constitutional and civics education.
We are excited to share a video from the recent “Inaugural Celebration: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." This program was hosted by the Middle District of Alabama and The Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute for the court community as a tribute to the enduring impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.
The Honorable Myron H. Thompson and The Honorable W. Keith Watkins contributed to the program with their insightful "50 Miles and 50 Years" segment about their lives growing up in Tuskegee and Troy, AL, respectively. The discussion provided a profound reflection on the progress made and the challenges we still face. Additionally, students from the Alabama State University College of Visual and Performing Arts performed highlights from Dr. King’s life, including excerpts from his testimony in Williams v Wallace (1965), the case that authorized the Selma-to-Montgomery March.
We are pleased to share the video below of “50 Miles and 50 Years” and encourage you to take a moment to watch this thoughtful discussion between judges of the Middle District of Alabama.
If you would like more information about “America’s Courtroom” and the cases that were decided here, please visit our website to request a tour. Join us to experience the historic setting for yourself, bringing to life the rulings that changed our country. https://www.thejohnsoninstitute.org/
The Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute is announcing the unique, in-kind gift to the Institute of “The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement,” text and materials comprising an online course developed in partnership between Florida’s Stetson University and the Freedom Forum of Washington, DC.
Read moreWow, what a year! The Judge Frank Johnson Institute was off to the races as soon as 2023 began, and we haven’t slowed down since. There is a nationwide desire to learn about the U.S. Constitution, the judiciary, and Montgomery’s history, and the Johnson Institute is rising to meet the need to foster thoughtful and civil discourse.
Over the course of 2023, we’ve met this need through the following means…
Read moreAre you a dedicated educator, passionate about infusing vibrancy into your teaching? Whether you're a seasoned social studies guru, a civics aficionado, or an eager pedagogue yearning for captivating narratives to illuminate your classroom, we've got exciting news to share!
The Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute will hold its annual Scholars Conference July 9-11, 2024 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Read moreOn October 6th the Johnson Institute joined a robust community of educators, administrators, higher education institutions, and learning partners at the annual Alabama Council for the Social Studies conference.
Read moreA 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization