In a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management will host its third program for the “Leadership, Education and Development (L.E.A.D) Speaker Series” on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 11 a.m. in Ralph D. Abernathy Hall Auditorium.
Jeffrey Johnson, communication specialist, journalist, motivational speaker and political activist will serve as the guest speaker.
Renowned for his impactful presence and thought-provoking insights, Johnson has garnered widespread acclaim throughout his career. Most notably recognized as a host on BET’s television show “Rap City,” Johnson has been a voice for addressing crucial issues within our society, including citizens’ political involvement and violence.
As an award-winning communication specialist and journalist, he has distinguished himself as an esteemed storyteller and interviewer, offering a unique lens through which to explore social justice, politics and community empowerment.
“He is one of the voices that we have,” Jason D. Etheridge, director of Student Life, said. “In his lane, if we’re looking at Black Americanism and the things that we deal with and struggle with, in his lane of civil rights, political justice, political activism, on behalf of Black people, he is one of the voices that we lean on and that a lot of people lean on.”
With having noteworthy interviews with important political figures like, former President Barack Obama and former Secretary Hillary Clinton for BET News, providing regular content for the nationally known “Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” and having his hand in co-writing Steve Harvey’s New York Times Best Seller, “Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success,” Johnson has established that his interviews and literary contributions underscore his dedication to empowering individuals to achieve success and fulfillment.
“Jeff Johnson has spoken at Alabama State University at least three times before, so I believe it will be a treat for this group of students to hear his message, especially in the times in which we are living,” said Kenneth A. Dean, J.D., general manager of The Hornet Tribune. “He is socially savvy and because of his work with the NAACP for years as the youth director, he seems to connect with students very effectively.
Etheridge sheds light on the meticulous planning led by a dedicated committee, orchestrated by Malinda Wilson Swoope, Ph.D., vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
“So there’s a committee, it’s led by Dr. Swoope, our vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, and there was a list of speakers that were offered to the committee – and this also has student leaders involved with it – and we kind of chose the speakers and then, they were placed on different days,” Etheridge said. “We bring them in, we choose them, but we did all the planning over the summer, so he was chosen for this date. Then, we have to do the logistics for each session that we have to do.”
As Johnson takes the stage next week, attendees can anticipate a speaker whose rich tapestry of experiences reflects a commitment to both informing and inspiring audiences across various domains.
Johnson’s main discussion on “How Students are Leveraging Their Own Power in This Moment to Define Leadership in Themselves” would be an informative exploration of the transformative role that young individuals play in shaping the narrative of leadership.
“I have followed Jeff Johnson for a number of years. He is one of the most impactful voices for Black America that we have today, and so his work – his ability to be unapologetic about standing up for not just Black people but people of color and underserved communities – is special,” Etheridge said. “So, I expect there to be some heavy hitting notes. I expect it to be extremely impactful and empowering for everyone who will be in attendance.”