Throughout his life, Superior Court Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. committed himself to making a difference in his native Newton County. From being a part of integrating the Newton County school system in the late 1960s to serving as both the first Black attorney and Black Superior Court judge in Newton County, he spent his life at the forefront of affecting positive change in his community. He also made a difference in the lives of countless individuals, mentoring young people, starting a mentoring program in the county school system and working to start a Boys and Girls Club in his hometown. Horace believed in fairness, compassion and empowering people to succeed. His life truly embodied what it means to be both a community leader and a public servant.

To honor Horace’s legacy, the Fanning Institute has created the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Peer Court Initiative to provide funding to help communities across Georgia start peer courts.

A Peer Court is a diversion program that offers first-time youth offenders a chance to have their dispositions decided by peers serving as the judge, jurors and lawyers.

Middle and high school students who volunteer to serve in these roles in Peer Court receive leadership training and a chance to learn about the legal profession and public speaking. Peer courts result in cases being heard much sooner, a lower recidivism rate for peer court participants than for statewide youth offender, civic leadership opportunities for young people and a chance for those youth to both connect with peers and give back to their communities. Their mission aligns with the principles Horace lived by.

Please consider a contribution to the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Peer Court Initiative to provide technical assistance and support to communities in Georgia that would like to start a Peer Court and continue Horace’s legacy.

You can also make a contribution by check. Please make payable to the UGA Foundation (note "Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Peer Court Initiative" in memo) and mail to the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, 1240 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30602.

Please contact Dr. Matt Bishop, Fanning Institute Director, at mlbishop@uga.edu, or (706) 542-6201, for more information about how to contribute to the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Peer Court Initiative.