Black Soil Rising Voices
Black Soil Rising Voices
The Voices of Black Soil Rising are the heart of this story.
The family members, advocates, elders, and truth-tellers who have lived experiences are the ones who bring the fight for land, legacy, and justice to life.
Each voice carries a piece of the history, the pain, and the hope that fuels this movement. Their words aren’t just testimony, they’re a call to action.
Willie Neal Johnson - The Family Historian
Willie Neal Johnson is more than a keeper of family stories he’s the living bridge between past and present in the fight for land justice. Born and raised on the same Alabama soil his ancestors once owned and worked, Willie Neal grew up immersed in the traditions, resilience, and values that shaped his community.
As a direct descendant of Black landowners who fought to preserve their property against discriminatory laws and corporate encroachment, his connection to the land is both personal and political.
Known within his family for his detailed recollections and unwavering commitment to truth, Willie Neal has spent decades piecing together the history of his people by collecting deeds, photographs, and oral histories that tell a story of perseverance in the face of exploitation.
In Black Soil Rising, he steps forward not only as a relative determined to protect his inheritance but as a public advocate for a broader fight, challenging the oil industry’s impact on his community and calling for the restoration of dignity, ownership, and justice for future generations.
Jermaine J. Williams
Jermaine J. Williams is a powerful advocate and storyteller whose work blends lived experience with an unflinching commitment to justice.
A proud family member tied to the Alabama land at the center of Black Soil Rising, Jermaine’s role is both intimate and activist, protecting his family’s legacy while amplifying the voices of those impacted by environmental racism and corporate land theft.
His advocacy roots run deep, shaped by years of work as an award-winning filmmaker, mental health professional, and community leader.
Known for his ability to connect personal narratives to systemic issues, Jermaine has spent his career turning real-life struggles into movements for change, whether through the lens of a camera, in front of an audience, or in community meetings.
In Black Soil Rising, he emerges as both witness and warrior, weaving together his family’s fight with the larger national conversation about Black land loss, economic exploitation, and the urgent need for environmental accountability.
Jermaine’s presence in the film is a testament to the power of one voice to rally many, and his unwavering stance makes clear: the struggle for land, dignity, and justice is far from over.