Alumni: Where are They Now?

Brian Johnson, a 2007 graduate of the School of Communications, is putting his skills to work with the troubled youth of Chicago public schools.

A pioneer for youth advocate programs in the Chicago area, Johnson works as a counselor, mentoring students in some of the roughest schools throughout the South Side of Chicago. From mentoring students to hosting and planning fundraising events, Johnson's main goal is to ensure that the young people don't go astray in the often rough streets of Chicago. Johnson states that his job gives him the opportunity to give back in ways he never imagined.

"Going to high school in Chicago gave me an in-depth view of just how difficult life can be for the kids here. Having the opportunity to work with them on a daily basis lets me know that I'm having a direct impact on their lives."

Although Johnson enjoys his job, he didn't plan on becoming a counselor. With a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism, a master's degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, an internship with CBS and a job with Congressman Danny Davis, Johnson has had his eyes set on a promising career in journalism.

"I'm not a counselor by education, but after spending time in New York I had an epiphany which led me to where I am now. I've learned that my passion is temporary, but my purpose is a lifetime. Working with children is my true purpose," he said.

Johnson said that Howard did more than just provide him with intellectual preparation, but molded him into a well-rounded individual, which has served him well in his current occupation.

"I think that my Howard degree provided me with much more than just great communication skills. When working with kids you never know what to expect, but Howard taught me to always be prepared for anything, no matter how troubling the situation may seem."

When asked what he misses most about being at Howard, Johnson states that it is the intellectual atmosphere that Howard provided him with, claiming that the opportunity to be surrounded by educated African-Americans on a consistent basis is an experience like no other. He recalls his most memorable experience at Howard, which was his graduation ceremony where Oprah Winfrey was the keynote speaker.

"On that day Oprah made a statement that I will never forget. She stated that once you leave Howard there are three things you know: Who you are, where you're going, and how you're going to get there. At that moment I realized that my Howard experience was well worth it, because these were three things I knew for sure. There was no doubt in my mind of who I was, or how I was going to get there. I'd like to thank Howard for helping me realize that."