Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson is a Professor of English at the University of Maine at Farmington, specializing in African American Literature, American literature, and multicultural studies. He teaches courses such as African American Literature and Culture, Popular Genres, and Contemporary Native American Literature and Film. His unique courses include The Walking Dead, where he claims expertise in surviving the Zombie Apocalypse.

Dr. Johnson holds a PhD (1997) and MA (1992) from the University of Kansas, and a BA (1987) from the University of Tennessee. His research focuses on African American literary themes, with publications exploring Black masculinity, the African American West, and Harlem Renaissance figures like Taylor Gordon.

His notable work Can't Stand Still: Taylor Gordon and the Harlem Renaissance (2019) examines the life of the African American singer within this cultural movement. Though no awards or grants are explicitly mentioned, his contributions to literary studies reflect a commitment to diverse cultural narratives.