Charlottesville has expanded its list of honorary street names and the newest name on the list is the late R.A. Johnson. Reverend Johnson was the founding pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church at 211 Albemarle Street.

Wendy Cooper, whose husband is the current pastor of that church, says Johnson was a civil rights and community leader throughout his life. Johnson was an Esmont native who was 92 when he died in 2013. Reverend Johnson (pictured) and his brother William S. Johnson made frequent appearances at meetings of the Charlottesville School Board and City Council. The section of Albemarle Street that recognizes Johnson is between 8th Lane North and West Street.