Jeff Johnson
Social & Political Activist / TV Personality
BET
New York, NY USA
“So often, we confine ourselves to this little box of 'doctor,' 'lawyer,' 'engineer,' 'teacher,' 'businessperson'...free yourselves.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationJeff Johnson
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Says the people who become successful are the ones who "throw the manual away" rather than following it.
For most of his life, all he wanted to do was run; was an All-American track star, got a full scholarship to run in college.
While in college, the president of the Black Student Union (BSU) saw something in Jeff, invited him to join.
His track coach discouraged him from spending so much time with the BSU, so Jeff quit the team.
His father told him he was a "quitter," told him that he wouldn't be financially supporting him anymore.
A year later, after Jeff became president of the BSU, he invited his father to see his work; his dad apologized for not supporting his decision.
Says his father's apology was "validation" because he wasn't living his dad's life, he was living his own life.
Thinks too many young people give up their calling to satisfy the obligations they feel they owe their parents or their peers.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
University of Toledo
University of Toledo
Career
Social & Political Activist / TV Personality
I'm a journalist, communications specialist, and social architect working to create positive social change.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Politics
Television
Upholding a Cause and Belief
Interviewed By
Philadelphia - New York City
In Philadelphia, the Roadtrip Nation team climbs to the top of the clock tower at city hall to meet Andrew Lins, a conservation preserver working on restoring the Liberty Bell. Next up is an interview with Billy King, team president of the Philadelphia 76ers. After traveling to New York, they interview "Cousin" Jeff Johnson, a social and political activist with his own show on BET.
