Barbara L. Johnson Appointed to Fort Monroe Authority Board of Trustees by the Governor of Virginia

Barbara L. Johnson, Founder of BLJohnsonLaw and Counsel to Potter & Murdock, has been appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger to serve on the Fort Monroe Authority Board of Trustees.

Barbara brings more than 35 years of experience as a trial attorney, workplace investigator, business advisor, legal strategist, and public speaker, along with extensive leadership experience with educational and public policy organizations, including the William & Mary Board of Visitors and The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

Barbara’s appointment to the Fort Monroe Authority is particularly meaningful given her longstanding personal connection to the historic site. She grew up less than two miles from Fort Monroe and has maintained a strong connection to the Fort and the history of the Peninsula throughout her life.

“For me, this appointment carries a deeply personal meaning. I grew up less than two miles from Fort Monroe, and from childhood, the Fort was a place I knew and loved. Its history is woven into the story of my hometown and, more personally, into the story of my own family. I believe my second-great-grandfather was one of the contrabands housed at Fort Monroe during the Civil War. Knowing that my own ancestor was among those who came to the Fort seeking freedom gives me a profound connection to its legacy.”

Barbara has also been involved in cemetery conservation work in Hampton since 2020 and has a deep passion for preserving and sharing the history of the Peninsula. She has been particularly impressed by Fort Monroe’s efforts to recognize and honor the first enslaved Africans who arrived at Point Comfort in 1619.

“Fort Monroe represents an important chapter in our nation’s history and continues to hold tremendous significance for Hampton Roads, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and our country. I am honored to have the opportunity to help preserve that history while supporting the exciting initiatives designed to ensure Fort Monroe’s future as a resource for the Commonwealth.”

As a Trustee, Barbara looks forward to drawing on her business experience, passion for storytelling, and commitment to connecting the past to the future as she helps guide Fort Monroe’s continued service to the Commonwealth and nation.