Dr. John. B. Joyner: Educator, mentor, activist, and friend

Photo provided by his family shows Dr. John B. Joyner.

The passing of Dr. John Joyner has sent shockwaves throughout our community, as he touched the lives of so many in one way or another. His abilities as an educator are well-known, but it was his ability to inspire people that truly made him special, as I’m sure he was a mentor to many, myself included.

When I first arrived in the CNMI it was Dr. Joyner and attorney Joe Hill who introduced me to other African-Americans at the many functions and activities being conducted by African-Americans on holidays like Juneteenth. In fact, the last time Dr. Joyner and I were physically together was at the Juneteenth celebration that I sponsored in 2022, and he brought his famous gumbo.

Dr. Joyner was also an activist with a focus on the goals of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He participated in the civil rights movement and he continued to promote the inclusion and equal treatment for African-Americans in the CNMI.

Dr. Joyner was also a businessman with his famous “Hot-Dickey-Dog” snack-bar.

He was the only African-American to play a major role in our government, being appointed as a Cabinet member and he worked tirelessly with attorney Joe Hill to get the Martin Luther King Jr. Day recognized in the CNMI. Dr. Joyner and attorney Joe Hill had done most of the heavy lifting to get the law when I got involved to help get it over the finish line.

Dr. Joyner and attorney Joe Hill were really the leaders of the Black community in the CNMI for over two decades, sponsoring African-American activities and getting the NMI Humanities to sponsor events like the MLK Day events that brought in special guest speakers from the U.S. mainland and the parades that I used to lead when I was a teacher.

I lost a true and genuine friend with Dr. Joyner’s passing, as he has always supported me and even cheered me on over the years. In fact, Dr. Joyner was the only person to go public to support me being a cannabis commissioner, which says a lot about his willingness to try and help people.

Dr. Joyner was always the “cool hand and head” when it came to dealing with the adversities that African-Americans faced in the CNMI.

I lost a true “counsel and friend” and the CNMI lost a great man for all seasons. May Dr. John B. Joyner rest in peace and we will all catch up to him “on the rebound,” as we say in our culture. Prayers for you and family. RIP, Dr. Joyner, my friend!

Ambrose M. Bennet
Kagman III, Saipan