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Roy S. Johnson
Maker interview details
Interview
- January 17, 2014
Profession
- Category:
MediaMakers
- Occupation(s):
Journalist
Birthplace
- Born: March 19, 1956
- Birth Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Favorites
- Favorite Color: Red
- Favorite Food: All Foods
- Favorite Time of Year: Fall
- Favorite Vacation Spot: Beaches, Golf Courses
Favorite Quote
"Always Impossible Until It's Done."
Biography
Journalist Roy S. Johnson was born on March 19, 1956 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended the prestigious Holland Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa, Oklahoma and went on to graduate from Stanford University with his B.A. degree in political science.
In 1978, Johnson was hired as a reporter for Sports Illustrated. From 1982 until 1989, he worked at the New York Times and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, before returning to Sports Illustrated as a senior editor in 1989. Johnson went on to briefly work for Money, and was then hired as an editor-at-large for Fortune magazine. After a short stint at Fortune, he joined Vanguarde Media, Inc. as an editorial director. In 2001, while working at Vanguarde, Johnson conceived and co-launched Savoy Magazine. In 2003, he returned to Sports Illustrated, where he worked as an assistant managing editor. Johnson was then hired as a consultant for Men’s Fitness magazine, and, in 2007, he was promoted to editor-in-chief. He has also written for many other publications and websites, including Life Goes Strong and ESPN.com.
In 2006, Johnson founded RSJ Media Solutions, a company that offers digital content strategy and media training. He also founded Fit! Live! Win! LLC in 2011, a digital corporate wellness communications firm. In 2012, Johnson founded Write on Essays!, and was named editor-in-chief and executive director of the History Channel’s magazine and the History Channel Club. He has been a frequent television and radio contributor on the topics of sports, fitness, nutrition, wellness and healthy living. Johnson has also served as executive producer of several television programs that have aired on national broadcast and cable networks, including NBC, Fox and TNT. He has co-authored three books: Magic's Touch with Earvin Johnson; Outrageous!: The Fine Life and Flagrant Good Times of Basketball's Irresistible Force with Charles Barkley; and Aspire Higher with Avery Johnson.
Johnson has been a longstanding member of the National Association of Black Journalists, and has served on the board of the International Athletic Foundation. He also created the Roy S. Johnson Foundation, which provides financial assistance to minority youth from his hometown in Oklahoma.
Johnson lives in New Rochelle, NY with his wife Barbara and two children, Edwyn and Missy.
Roy Johnson was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on January 16, 2014.
Previews from the Digital Archive
Watch the full interview in the Digital Archive
- Slating of Roy Johnson's interview
- Roy Johnson lists his favorites
- Roy Johnson describes his mother's family background
- Roy Johnson remembers his parents' emphasis on education
- Roy Johnson talks about his father's career
- Roy Johnson remembers his neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Roy Johnson describes his earliest childhood memory
- Roy Johnson describes his home life
- Roy Johnson describes the sights, sounds and smells of his childhood
- Roy Johnson talks about the riots of 1921 in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Roy Johnson talks about the Native American and African American communities in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Roy Johnson recalls transferring to Holland Hall in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Roy Johnson remembers his father's death
- Roy Johnson recalls the influence of his uncles
- Roy Johnson talks about Marques Haynes
- Roy Johnson describes his experiences of discrimination at Holland Hall in Tulsa, Oklahoma, pt. 1
- Roy Johnson describes his experiences of discrimination at Holland Hall in Tulsa, Oklahoma, pt. 2
- Roy Johnson remembers his mother's relationship with his stepfather
- Roy Johnson talks about his aspiration to leave Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Roy Johnson talks about his athletic activities at Holland Hall in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Roy Johnson recalls his early talent for writing
- Roy Johnson describes his decision to attend Stanford University in Stanford, California
- Roy Johnson talks about his transition to Stanford University in Stanford, California
- Roy Johnson describes the black student community at Stanford University
- Roy Johnson remembers his summer internships
- Roy Johnson recalls reporting on the Patty Hearst trial for The Standard Daily
- Roy Johnson talks about the student activism at Stanford University
- Roy Johnson recalls interviewing for a position at Sports Illustrated
- Roy Johnson describes his career at Sports Illustrated
- Roy Johnson remembers his mentors at Sports Illustrated
- Roy Johnson talks about his experiences of discrimination at Sports Illustrated
- Roy Johnson remembers joining The New York Times
- Roy Johnson describes the writing style of The New York Times
- Roy Johnson describes his relationships with colleagues at The New York Times
- Roy Johnson describes his experiences as a sports reporter for The New York Times
- Roy Johnson talks about Al Campanis' impact on professional sports
- Roy Johnson describes the highlights of his career at The New York Times
- Roy Johnson recalls his decision to leave The New York Times
- Roy Johnson talks about his career at the Atlanta Constitution
- Roy Johnson describes his return to Sports Illustrated as a senior editor
- Roy Johnson remembers writing 'Magic's Touch' with Magic Johnson
- Roy Johnson remembers writing about race at Sports Illustrated
- Roy Johnson recalls his transition from writer to editor
- Roy Johnson describes his challenges as a senior editor at Sports Illustrated
- Roy Johnson talks about the increase in African American sports managers
- Roy Johnson talks about the progress toward diversity in professional sports
- Roy Johnson remembers his transition to Money magazine
- Roy Johnson remembers developing Savoy magazine
- Roy Johnson remembers his position as editor-at-large at Fortune magazine
- Roy Johnson talks about the cover shoot for 'The New Black Power'
- Roy Johnson reflects upon the impact of 'The New Black Power'
- Roy Johnson describes his role as editor-at-large of Fortune magazine
- Roy Johnson remembers Magic Johnson's HIV diagnosis
- Roy Johnson talks about the NBA's support for Magic Johnson
- Roy Johnson describes the founding of Vanguarde Media
- Roy Johnson talks about his accomplishments at Vanguarde Media
- Roy Johnson remembers returning to Sports Illustrated as an assistant managing editor
- Roy Johnson remembers his layoff from Time, Inc.
- Roy Johnson recalls becoming the editor-in-chief of Men's Fitness
- Roy Johnson talks about founding Fit!Live!Win!
- Roy Johnson talks about his current projects
- Roy Johnson talks about the future of the journalism industry