But Johnson’s journey was not over.
After World War Two, he joined the Communist Party and became a recognised community leader in Moss Side, Manchester – acting as a local representative at the Pan-African Congress 1945 at Chorlton-upon-Medlock Town Hall.
It was a key moment for the movement that liberated many Africans from colonial rule.
His activism against racial discrimination continued throughout his life.
In 1953, Johnson was barred from the Old Abbey Taphouse, just south of Manchester city centre, under the “colour bar”, which allowed pubs to refuse service to people based on their race.
In response, he and his friend Wilf Charles launched a campaign against the discrimination. The pair took their case to the mayor and returned to the pub with about 200 supporters and members of the press.
After the protest, Johnson was served by the landlady at the Old Abbey Taphouse despite not being a drinker.
The stand he took helped bring an end to the “colour bar” in pubs across Manchester, marking a significant moment in the city’s fight against racial discrimination.
It was not until 1965 that racial discrimination in pubs was outlawed across the UK under the Race Relations Act.
Johnson died in 1974 aged 71.