Van R. Johnson II
Van Johnson serves as the Second Vice President of the National League of Cities and is Mayor of Savannah, Georgia. The Honorable Dr. Van R. Johnson II embodies purpose, passion and a relentless commitment to people as the 67th Mayor of the City of Savannah, Georgia.
Rooted in the values of service and community, Mayor Johnson was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, yet his Savannah heritage runs deep. He is a proud alumnus of Savannah State University and Georgia Southern University, where he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Mayor Johnson is a dynamic communicator, former radio talk show host, political commentator, and newspaper columnist, and he is renowned for his independent thought and passionate advocacy. His expertise spans human resources and law enforcement, as he is a nationally certified professional in human resources and a Georgia-certified law enforcement professional. His insight and leadership have made him a highly sought-after trainer, speaker and consultant. He is also an alumnus of Leadership Savannah and Leadership Georgia.
In 2004, Mayor Johnson began his political career as the First District Alderman, a position he held for 16 years. Re-elected by commanding majorities, he served as Mayor Pro Tem and Vice Chairman of the City Council. Throughout his tenure, he championed equity, inclusion and justice, using his platform to advocate for the underserved and underrepresented—the least, the last and the lost.
On the national stage, Mayor Johnson’s influence extends far beyond Savannah. In addition to his service to the National League of Cities, Mayor Johnson is also Vice President of the African American Mayors Association and a member of the United States Conference of Mayors.
A trailblazer in youth development, Mayor Johnson’s visionary leadership as Director of the Chatham County Youth Commission for more than 30 years has shaped future generations. His mentorship has inspired the creation of youth leadership programs nationwide, including co-founding the Savannah Youth Council in 2004.
Locally, his service to children, families and the most vulnerable has been steadfast. He has led organizations such as the Wesley Community Centers of Savannah as Board President and chaired the Chatham County Department of Family and Children Services. He is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and Delta Sigma Pi, among other distinguished civic and professional organizations.
Mayor Johnson’s visionary leadership, humanitarian efforts and transformative impact have earned widespread recognition. He was conferred a Doctor of Humane Letters by Savannah State University and has been honored as one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Georgians for four consecutive years.
Mayor Van R. Johnson II continues to inspire, lead and elevate Savannah with a mission-driven focus on creating a city where equity, opportunity and progress belong to everyone.
