In addition to my artwork, I also practice law.
Hon. Carl B Stokes (l) Hon. Louis Stokes (r)
Some people may think the two professions are diametrically opposed, but in my case they are connected by two remarkable relatives, and one seminal moment in my life.
I was inspired to become a lawyer by my cousins, Carl and Louis Stokes. Carl was the first Back man to be elected Mayor of Cleveland in 1967, and Louis was Ohio’s first Black Congressperson, elected in 1969 and serving 15 terms.
As for my art career, it came about initially due to a childhood accident that left me bedbound for months and caused me to miss four years of school. It also also put pencils and pads in my hands that led to me drawing to pass the time, and ultimately, “Living in Color.”
Earlier this year I received a phone call from someone at Super Lawyers Magazine. They said they had heard a lot about me and wanted to interview me for an in depth article in their Update New York Edition of the publication.
My immediate reaction was one of skepticism, along with a lawyerly thought process that my advertising dollars were going to somehow be tied to the publication of this interview.
As it turned out, upon conversation with my friend/fellow lawyer Jim Scime, (who had already been featured in the magazine) the offer was legit. And so I agreed.
In early spring I interviewed with Super Lawyer Reporter, Natalie Pompiloi, who was well researched and prepared. As a result we spoke on three different days and covered a great day of my life. At the end of the interview I thanked her and we went our separate ways…publication but a feint glimmer in my mind.
Yesterday Jim Scime called to tell me that the Super Lawyer Upstate New York 2020 had published and I should check it out. I searched online and found it with a blurb on the cover that read, “LeRoi C. Johnson on music, art and law.”
Flipping through, I came to my interview in the form of a full page article, with a turn to a second page. As well, I discovered a third page with a “Save the Date” section for my upcoming LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition at the Burchfield Penney Art Center.
Three out of 14 pages of editorial content?!
I would say these days I am definitely Living in Color… even in print!
LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition includes the work of students from Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT,) Buffalo Public Schools (BPS,) Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC,) and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center. The exhibition will be on view at the Burchfield Penney Art Center through March 26, 2023, presented by M&T Bank, with additional support from organizations and individuals throughout the Western New York community.