The Carter Johnson Library & Collection

05/06/2026

What happens when a librarian goes thrift shopping? The CJLC gets new stuff, of course!! Mother ship staff member His bridgid finds more for our shelves every time she goes out!

03/06/2026

We're a library. We have to ask. 📚
What's the book that changed your life?

Drop the title below — and tell us why if you want to. 👇

03/05/2026

White gloves on. Rare books out. History in your hands.

This is the Carter Johnson Library & Collection — the only archive of its kind in the world. 📖✨

Never Again Landfill. Never Again Flames.

03/05/2026

This is what legacy looks like. 💛

Mama Vi and Jules, hands in the archive, hearts in the work. Every visit to the Carter Johnson Library & Collection is a chance to hold history — literally. White gloves on, minds open, stories alive.

Never Again Landfill. Never Again Flames.

📚 carterjohnsonlibrary.com

03/04/2026

Announcement:

After more than 30 years of love, devotion, and history-keeping, “Mama” Viola M. Johnson is stepping down from Chair of the Board and Executive Director into her forever role — our Founder & Senior Griot. Vi, you built something the world had never seen. We will spend the rest of our days making sure it lasts.

We honor “Mama” Vi Johnson and welcome Dr. Toni Solenne as Executive Director, alongside our new Board: Asriel Rose, Micheal LaVelle, MsDDom, Amelia Horo & Pulse Tinsley.

Full announcement at carterjohnsonlibrary.com — link in bio.

01/16/2026

Issue 2 of From Hide to Heart is now available! When staff reached out to us about doing an interview with Mama Vi and some of the Annex griots for an issue on "Legacy & Leather Family", there was no chance we would say no. Griots from our L.A. Annex, Atlanta, Boston, and more talk about their calling to save and preserve our Leather legacies for future generations and what that means to them. You can read that article and many more touching stories online now at https://www.fromhidetoheart.com/issues and order a printed copy as well!

We all know how Vi feels about paper and the ability to physically hold history in your hands. Mother ship staff His bridgid talks about "backups of backups" of our stories in her Preserving Your Leather History class, too. Keeping our legacy in many forms helps ensure that it will never be completely destroyed and that is the most important thing of all

12/17/2025

🎄is almost here! If you don't know what to get the Leather person in your life, a limited edition copy of Vi's book To Love, To Obey, To Serve makes the perfect 🎁! Signed by Mama Vi, Jill Carter and Mistress Mir (numbers 1-25 come with all 3 signatures), this hard cover book is a must-have for book lovers! And right now, they are 25% off!!!

Order at https://sucktherainbow.com/products/limited-edition-hardback-to-love-to-obey-to-serve-v-m-johnson by Thursday December 18th, 2025 to ensure delivery by Christmas!

12/16/2025

Congratulations to Goddess Dior and Akasha Eden on their selection as the 2026 WOD/CJLC Artist-in-Resident and Scholar-in-Resident!

Announcing next year's residencies at the Carter-Johnson Library & Collection. Hailing from New York City, Akasha Eden and from Atlanta, the Goddess Dior. Both attended our 2026 Women of Drummer Contest weekend and we're looking forward to seeing their ongoing work with WOD & the Library.

10/17/2025

Mama Vi and bridgid have made it safe and sound to ONYX Blackout! This display is going to be incredible!

08/22/2025

We are set up at ILW !! Library opens at 4 today so come see me and explore our history!