Cape Community will say goodbye to local activist, mentor, and friend John Reed

HYANNIS — In November 1988 Julia Monteiro Johnson reported to Barnstable High School to chaperone a school concert, which was organized by John Reed, an African American history and social studies teacher at the time.

"I was shocked to see the New Kids on the Block were there to perform," she said.

Monteiro Johnson is helping to plan a "Celebration of Life" to remember Reed, who died Feb. 10. The event will be held 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., April 29 at the Barnstable Performing Arts Center at Barnstable High School in Hyannis.

Reed, who was a local civil rights activist and community figure, was friends with Johnny Wright, New Kids on the Block's one-time assistant road manager, said Jonathan Thompson of JT's Chronicles, a local multi-media platform.

Thompson was a student at Barnstable High School at the time, and his group Young Generation was also managed by Wright, performing along with New Kids on the Block for the concert.

Reed was known for surprising his students, said Monteiro Johnson, and was also deeply involved in community organizations such as Cape Cod's Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Reed also helped found the Zion Union Heritage Museum in Hyannis in 2007.

"John had a knack for being in the mix," said Monteiro Johnson. "Whatever that mix was. He was in it."

The breadth of impact he had on the Cape community runs far and wide, said Monteiro Johnson, which is why she's expecting many Cape Codders to attend the celebration.

"He touched so many with everything he did," she said.

Readings, songs and performances will celebrate Reed

A spectrum of people will speak and share memories about Reed during the celebration, including state Rep. Kip Diggs of Barnstable; artist and curator Carl Lopes; activist Dolores DaLuz; Marshall Lopes-Pogue, curator for the Heritage Museum; Monteiro Johnson; Rabbi Harold Robinson; Hope Taylor, assistant principal at Barnstable High School; and Alik Taylor, project excel and dual enrolment program director at Barnstable High School.

Barnstable High School's Music Department participants will sing during the celebration. And Debra Dagwan, former Barnstable Town Council member and close friend of Reed's, organized local Boy Scout troops to give readings of remembrance, said Monteiro Johnson.

Recording memories will help attendees grieve

Paper cards will be on hand for celebration attendees to write messages or memories about Reed. People who can't attend the event can also go online and leave thoughts, prayers or messages. (newlywords.com/john-lewis-reed-celebration-of-life-2023-2)

"We will collect all of the cards and online messages and put them in a book," she said. "Part of the grieving process is to have that kind of an outlet."

For Monteiro Johnson, who met Reed through the Massachusetts Teacher's Association, the event will give people an opportunity to unite over Reed's legacy.

"This is to recognize who Reed was and how much he contributed to the fabric of the Cape and beyond," she said. "He just made life better for everyone."

Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: John Reed memorial April 29: Barnstable teacher, civil rights activist