If you’ve lived in Gonzales for any length of time, you’ve probably heard Quincy Johnson’s voice. Maybe it was calling play-by-play at a Friday night football game, spinning country music on a Saturday, or hosting gospel Sundays on KCTI 1450 AM. For decades, Quincy has quite literally been one of the voices of this community.
But his impact goes far beyond the radio dial as a former broadcaster, radio host, and DJ.
Born and raised in Gonzales, Texas, Roger Q. (Quincy) Johnson is named after his late father, Roger Q. Johnson Sr.—a man known for his green thumb and gifted work with pecan trees. Quincy remembers riding along on road trips across the country as his dad taught others to bud and graft different pecan varieties to native trees. And hanging onto his dad’s back with his feet tucked into his back pockets as they planted the trees, many of which are still standing today in our local community. It’s a fitting image for Quincy’s life’s work and interests: rooted in history, growing something that lasts.
Quincy is a 1982 graduate of Gonzales High School. After studying mass communications at Texas Tech University, he returned home in 1985 to be near family during a time of need. He began working at KCTI Radio Station in 1992 before joining GVEC in 1993. He currently serves as a project coordinator and was named GVEC’s Employee of the Year in 2014. For many in the community and professional world, Quincy is a familiar and trusted connector.
As a young child, Quincy lived through the end of segregation, but it wasn’t until his junior high school years and his Texas History teacher, Mozelle Fullilove, that a deep curiosity was sparked. He quickly learned that when it comes to Black or minority history, you often “have to find out for yourself.” That belief sent Quincy on a lifelong path of learning and research, where he discovered how often minority stories were minimized, facts omitted, and perspectives overlooked. “There are painful parts in our history”, Quincy says, “but we can acknowledge it’s all part of one story. Black history is community history, Texas history, and American history.”
“History crawls,” Quincy said while recognizing that progress can be slow. That’s why this work is important to him— “so young kids of color can learn where they came from and see how their history matters.” A natural progression in maintaining that legacy led to his involvement as a board member and Vice President of the Edwards Association.
The Edwards School was formed in 1919 and served Black students until 1965, just after the time of the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Bill, which ended segregation in public schools. The Edwards Association was formed to care for the former all Negro Edwards High School, Junior High, and Elementary schools of Gonzales—now known as the Edwards campus. The campus includes a museum (housed in a former classroom), a couple of community rooms, one of which currently hosts church services and a praise dance team, a working kitchen for their community fundraisers, and the original gymnasium with its striking, rounded architecture.
For many years, the property fell into neglect, but through the dedication of alumni and other community members, the campus has been revitalized to preserve its historical significance, articulate Black history through the museum, and continue serving the broader Gonzales community. In 2024, the Edwards Association received GVEC’s Public Service Award.
In addition to volunteering with the Edwards Association, Quincy serves as superintendent of deacons and adult Sunday school teacher at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, has led the G-Town Striders summer youth track and field program for the past 25 years, serves on the Gonzales County Historical Commission, and as past two-term president of Norma’s House (The Gonzales Regional Children’s Advocacy Center).
He is also active in competitive barbecue and participates with coworkers at the Annual Texas Lineman’s Rodeo BBQ Cookoff. One of his proudest moments came during the height of COVID, when he coordinated the Gonzales Pit Masters, who cooked, barbecued, and volunteered to serve 1,200 free barbecue plates to the community two years in a row.
GVEC is grateful for voices like Quincy Johnson’s—on the airwaves, in the archives, and in the heart of Gonzales. Voices that remind us that our past and our future are better together.
