Jeff Johnson

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Urban Brand Specialist

Within the corporate community and abroad, Jeff Johnson is recognized as one of the premier experts on hip hop and urban communities. An architect for social change, as well as an innate ability to both influence and inspire, Johnson is one of today's most gifted leaders in both the political and entertainment arenas.

Johnson's roles as an activist and strategist include a stint as National Youth Director of the NAACP. He lends his expertise to marketing professionals for such leading companies as MCDONALD'S and CitiGroup to help corporations strategically increase market share and improve their image in local communities by creating win-win social pendant relationships with members of the local community.

Johnson's acute ability to help corporations build positive brand images in the community comes from his credible reputation as a bridge builder, strongly representing and galvanizing thousands of leaders across the country. 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. The show 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."

Recently, Johnson has taken on additional roles at BET including co-hosting "Meet The Faith" and becoming an international correspondent for the network. He also regularly provides columns and commentary for several leading urban lifestyle magazines.

Johnson has successfully merged a lifetime of grassroots activism, business brawn, and media savvy to start a lifestyle consulting firm; Truth Is Power, which specializes in leadership and curriculum development, media strategy and social branding.

Of special interest to Johnson is creating dialogue between the African-American and Latino community. Forging this connection provides the foundation for his first book, "Black and Brown: The Conversation On Race America Has Never Had," which is due for release in 2008.