John Earl (Johnny) Cameron was born on June 11, 1932, just outside of Hattiesburg, Mississippi in Petal. His parents were A.C. and Courtney Cameron. He is the fourteenth of sixteen children.

Mr. Cameron was educated in the Springfield Vocational High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he was graduated in 1951. He later attended Alcorn A and M College in Lorman, Mississippi. He attended Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi where he received his B.S. degree. Reverend Cameron also attended the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee where his major was social science (theology).

He has been serving in a pastoral position for more than forty years. His first position was at First Baptist Church in Oxford, Mississippi. He is currently pastor at Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi where he has been since 1970. Reverend Cameron has been active in numerous organizations and actively involved in the civil rights movement extending back prior to his involvement with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Additionally, Reverend Cameron worked with Dr. King on voter registration campaigns in the Hattiesburg, Mississippi area.

He has been involved in civic affairs, which included his bid for the United States Congress Fifth Congressional District in the State of Mississippi. He was the director of the Hattiesburg Ministers' Project and served as Ambassador to Central America. Presently he serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Redevelopment Basin in Hinds County.
He has been cited in Who's Who in Black America, Notable Americans in the Bicentennial Era, and Outstanding Community Leader. He has received a proclamation from Mayor Dale Danks, Jr., a proclamation from Judge Alexander in Hinds County, and he served as a colonel on Governor Cliff Finch's staff.