Charles Floyd Johnson: Amplifying Voices and Presence on the Big Screen

By: Tariq Richardson and Karyn Cook

The acclaimed television  and film producer Charles Floyd Johnson  spent over five decades in Hollywood, including work on projects such as “NCIS”and “Red Tails.” Most recently, he released “A Gathering of Voices: Stories From The Longwood Writers Group”, co-authored with actress and activist Denise Nicholas, in February 2025.. 

The book is a compelling oral history highlighting the story of Black creatives who have shaped American culture across generations. With a foreword by Phylicia Rashad, the project is a tribute to the resilience, artistry, and enduring legacy of Black voices in film, television, and activism.  

“The book came out of a writing workshop where Denise Nicolas put five of us together alongside her, working on memoirs. There were six of us older writers, and we decided to find a way to put this together to let people know what our challenges were, along with their struggles,” Johnson told me when asked about their inspiration for the book.

“We believed people could derive various insights from the book. We are thrilled that young people like you are interested in discussing our experiences, and we hope you enjoy reading the book as well. We've had real success, and the book has resonated with many readers in terms of our careers and journeys,” he continued.

Johnson started his career in 1971 and stated that there weren’t as many Black people working behind the camera.“ I was among the first to receive a producing credit for nighttime drama, at a time when our stories were often overlooked. While learning to produce, I encountered portrayals that didn't reflect our true experiences,” he explained.

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Cook also asked Johnson how readers can relate to the struggles portrayed in the book, and who the target audience is, to which he said the book was aimed at reaching general readers interested in understanding experiences within the entertainment industry.

“As an African American in the entertainment industry, it is essential to be prepared to go above and beyond. The reality is that, despite the challenges we face—especially under the current administration, which is pursuing rapid and chaotic changes—we must strive to stay on top of these issues. The message from the book is clear: be strong, pursue your goals, and hope that our experiences can help and enlighten others,” he said. 

“A Gathering of Voices: Stories from The Longwood Writers Workshop” is available for purchase here.