England has been serving on the Board of Trustees for the last 17 years. Photo courtesy of Judge John England Jr.

Sufia Alam
Campus Reporter

Judge John England Jr. speaks on his sacrifice and hard work as a tribute to his parents. Now, he feels he has been given an opportunity as a judge and Board of Trustees member to give back to his community and to his children.

England, a native to Birmingham, was born in Unitown and started his education at Coleman High School. After Coleman, England graduated from Tuskegee Institute with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry in 1969.

However, after obtaining his degree, England decided his contribution to society would best be served in the field of law.

“Being from Birmingham and also having been born in the black world [and] to have significant involvement in civil rights, I thought one of the best ways to make my contribution was to try to go to law school,” England said.

England pursued that dream at the University of Alabama School of Law. England was among the first eight African-Americans admitted to the program. By the end of the first year, he was one of the only four that matriculated.

“It was pretty difficult for the African-Americans who came to fit into that environment and survive,” he said.

Although England survived his first year of law school, he was drafted into the military during the Vietnam War.  He served two years in the U.S. Army as a military policeman.

After returning from Vietnam and completing his law degree, England began practicing in Tuscaloosa in 1974 and was elected to the Tuscaloosa City Council in 1985.

England served two terms and was chairman of the Finance and Community Development Committee. England attributes his drive as a product of his admiration for his parents.

“My mother was a woman who was determined to make sure her children would have opportunities,” England said. “And I know she made many sacrifices for the sake of her children.”

England’s mother worked at a restaurant for almost her entire adult life while her husband, Mr. England worked in the steel mills for as many hours as possible to accumulate money for their children.

Both of England’s parents worked relentlessly during all of England’s childhood and young adulthood, ensuring that England would have the opportunity to receive a college education

As one of the 15 members of the Board of Trustees, England said he considers equal representation as one of the most important aspects of his job. He works to ensure that all points of view are considered before any decisions are finalized.

“I try to bring my experience as a judge and integrate it as much as possible in my role as a trustee member,” England said.

England has been serving on the board for the past 17 years. He hopes to influence the various levels of each school such that they all contain diversity.

“My daughter went to UAB, my son went to the University of Alabama and both my children went to UA’s law school, so I feel like all my service is my way of giving back,” he said.  

England offered advice to young people seeking similar career paths to find a mentor willing to guide them every step of their career.

“Growing up, I didn’t see many role models,” England said. “But when I did, I finally got a chance to realize that my dreams are achievable. I could be like George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington or Martin Luther King, as long as I strive for being the best at what I am.”

Sufia Alam can be reached at [email protected].