TGR: Happy Birthday, Michael Eugene Johnson :: Baltimore's Own!
By Doni M. Glover, www.bmorenews.com
(BALTIMORE - August 31, 2012) - Besides being the last day of Black Business Month, it is also the birthday of a Baltimore living legend: Michael Eugene Johnson.
Who is Michael Eugene Johnson? He is a blessing to Baltimore. The youngest of 11 children, Michael Eugene Johnson inherited his unwavering belief in human rights from both his parents. His mother, Keevie, a Registered Nurse, was part of a 1969 demonstration led by Coretta Scott King to urge Johns Hopkins Hospital workers to unionize. His father, Albert, was a member of A. Phillip Randolph’s Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first successful African American trade union.
In short, he gets his activism honestly.
Michael attended Baltimore City Public Schools, including Alexander Hamilton Elementary School, Edgecombe Circle Elementary School, Pimlico Junior High, and Northwestern Sr. High School.
After graduation, he then attended the University of Maryland at College Park Maryland and focused on Radio Television and Film production. He also attended Morgan State University where he majored in Speech Communication.
Also a golfer, Michael Johnson is an Entrepreneur, Documentary Film Maker, Human Rights Activist, and Executive Director Paul Robeson Urban Research Institute.
As for civic involvement, what hasn’t he done? His affiliations include:
MEMBER GREENPEACE USA
MEMBER AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
MEMBER NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK
MEMBER SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER
LIFETIME MEMBER NAACP BALTIMORE CITY BRANCH
FOUNDING MEMBER MARYLAND FILM FESTIVAL
MEMBER WESTSIDE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
MEMBER SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
MEMBER GREEN & BLACK ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION
MEMBER MARYLAND AA CHAMBER OF COMMERENCE
MEMBER 2600-2800 HARLEM AVE ASSOCIATION
MEMBER ELLA BAKER CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
MEMBER NATIONAL BLACK CHILD DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
FOUNDER PAUL ROBESON INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
BOARD MEMBER BLACK UNITED FUND CENTRAL MARYLAND
CHAIRMAN MARYLAND AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
MEMBER RAINBOW PUSH COALITION
MEMBER AFRICAN AMERICAN SPEAKERS BUREAU
MEMBER HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST
Further, his assignments have included:
Community Coordinator, Northwest Baltimore Corporation; Organized community commercial revitalization programs that created opportunities for neighborhood entrepreneurs. Assisted community associations in team building to effectively leverage resources.
Community Economic Officer, Baltimore City Department Housing; Completed projects in partnership with government and the private sector, including lenders, investors, property owners, developers, and foundations, to create over 500,000 square feet of corporate and small business retail space.
Chairman Application Committee, Station North Arts & Entertainment District; Coordinated and created special events that create excitement and recruitment opportunities for community arts and social events.
Director, Greater Harvest Baptist Church Housing Corporation; Developed affordable housing, multi-family rental units & single-family owner-occupied housing, using multiple layers of public and private funds.
Beyond all of the above, though, Mike Johnson loves Baltimore. He loves Baltimoreans. He remains relevant by making sure the job gets done. Whether it’s voter registration or voter education, Mike is the first one to volunteer. The guy even delivers oil to the less fortunate in the winter.
Happy Birthday, Mike! We may not always agree on the method, but we are absolutely grateful for your leadership here in the state of Maryland. Thank you for continually educating us about our history – like Oscar Michaeux. Don’t think you aren’t making an impact. Some of us won’t ever forget.
Add a Comment
Please be civil.