Jeff Johnson
SPEAKING CLIENT
BET Host, Producer, Political Motivator and Social Commentator
Program Title: Unclaimed Legacy: Beyond Civil Rights
From the Hip-Hop community to mainstream media, Jeff Johnson is the trusted voice for information. A social activist, international journalist, and executive producer, Johnson is one of today’s most gifted leaders in both the political and entertainment arenas. Recently, Johnson was named by Source Magazine as one of the hip hop generation’s key political players.
Johnson’s roles as an activist and strategist have spanned from operating as the National Youth Director for the NAACP to providing congressional testimony on Hurricane Katrina recovery. In his correspondent role at BET, Johnson was sent on assignment to the Darfur region of Sudan. Johnson became one of only two news correspondents to interview Sudan’s President Omar Al-Bashir within the past twelve years. In every aspect of his political leadership, Johnson has been highly instrumental in representing and articulating the views of young people and galvanizing voters to the polls. Johnson’s powerful reputation as a political organizer caused hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons to take notice, leading Simmons to appoint Johnson as Vice-President for the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. In 2004, upon recognizing his socio-political influence and media adeptness, network executives at BET offered Johnson a unique opportunity to present his views to the hip-hop generation nationally through a consistent media vehicle. Thus, Rap City’s Cousin Jeff was born. Shortly thereafter, Johnson began producing his own show, the “Jeff Johnson Chronicles.” The chronicles addressed issues relevant to young people in urban America. From sex to Hip-Hop to obesity, it provided a fresh venue for engaging youth in current affairs and news issues in a way not seen since BET’s highly successful and groundbreaking forum “Teen Summit.”
Johnson has taken on additional roles at BET including a correspondent with “Meet The Faith”, interviewing such marquee figures as The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. He was the only American reporter to receive an exclusive interview with the continent of Africa’s first female head of state, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in Liberia. Johnson currently provides commentary for several radio shows, BET and CNN.
As a voice for social change, Johnson is passionate about his work. “The time is now,” he asserts. “The youth of today are the leaders of TODAY. If we fail to sow the seeds of education and real leadership into our young people today, we will be forced to reap the weeds of our ignorance verses the flowers of our love tomorrow.”
Featured Topics:
• “Unclaimed Legacy: Who Will Lead The Next Social Movement?”
• BECOME Activists: Building Effective Campus Organizations & Maintaining Excellence
• Pulling Back The Sheets: “Hip Hop and Sexuality
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