The Trinity: John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Civil Rights in African American Memory

by Sharron Wilkins Conrad

A striking triptych once displayed in countless African American households, the Trinity typically features Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King Jr., and John F. Kennedy. More than decoration, these portraits were deliberate acts of memory and quiet resistance, a medium through which African Americans asserted their own narratives of hope, leadership, and the fight for justice.

In this provocative history, Sharron Wilkins Conrad traces the Trinity across several decades, showing how African Americans didn’t merely remember the civil rights movement; they shaped its meaning. The Trinity reveals why Kennedy’s image hung beside King and Christ, while Lyndon B. Johnson, despite signing landmark legislation such as the 1964 Civil Rights Act, remained largely unheralded. Kennedy’s charisma, symbolic promise, and perceived martyrdom placed him among sacred icons, while Johnson—seen as transactional and confronted by the era’s growing impatience—never secured the same emotional legacy. In a gripping exploration of memory and meaning-making, Conrad reveals how communities create historical truths by elevating some leaders, sidelining others, and preserving their own visions in defiance of the official record.

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

Published June 9, 2026

Reviews

[Raymond]

This fascinating interdisciplinary study shows how Black Americans since the 1960s have consistently revered JFK over LBJ when it comes to their civil rights records. To such an extent that Black families hung pictures of JFK in their homes alongside those of Jesus and MLK. LBJ rarely received this honor. Sharron Wilkins Conrad uses a diverse collection of sources (oral histories, films, polls, memoirs, etc) spanning 65 years to make her argument; it's such a creative way to do research. Wilkins Conrad weaves these sources to tell a compelling story of Black countermemory. The author has done research that could be replicated in other big focal points in Black history. Students of American history, Black history, and the presidency will enjoy this work.

[Chelsea Knowles]

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

The Trinity discusses why portraits of Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King Jr., and John F. Kennedy were once displayed in the homes of African Americans. African Americans displayed these portraits because they represented hope and the fight for justice. This book discusses what Black voters thought about Kennedy and Johnson, JFK’s presidency and JFK and the Civil Rights Movement. Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency is discussed as well as issues he faced in government such as Vietnam. As the author discusses these topics, she explains why Lyndon B. Johnson is not celebrated for the things he did such as the 1964 Civil Rights Act in the same way JFK is/was by Black Americans.

I really enjoyed this book and I had a great time reading it. I didn’t know African Americans displayed portraits of the trinity in their homes so I found this book to be very enlightening and generally informative. It is fascinating to see how Black Americans gained strength and ways of resistance from the portraits of Jesus, MLK and JFK. This book is about so much more than just portraits and I loved learning about the politics of the time. It was fascinating to learn about JFK and Johnson and what they were celebrated for. It was also very interesting to see African Americans such as James Baldwin as well as Lorraine Hansberry and how they were involved in the Civil Rights Movement and the politics of the day. The writing of this book is good and readable. I enjoyed this book and I will be recommending this. I think this is an important book to read and a great addition to books already written on the Civil Rights Movement and American politics.