A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity!
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the most extraordinary individuals of our time. This gentleman grew up during the Depression, on the South Side of Chicago. After being rescued from deep involvement in gang violence by a benevolent Boy Scout leader, he eventually entered the military where he served in the Marines and eventually became a Warrant Officer there. He has received over 800 awards in the past 25 years for outstanding achievement and service to his country both home and abroad.
This gentleman has served as Director of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs under then Governor Ronald Reagan, Vice Chair of the U.S. Civil Service Commission, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy appointed by the President among other accomplishments. He also commissioned the USS California, and was the Founder of the Hope Foundation in 1962.
This list is just an overview of his accomplishments as his life story takes up an entire book, a book he wrote in 2001 called Beyond Defeat. The gentleman’s name is Dr. James “Johnny” Johnson, and the thing that makes his story even more extraordinary is the fact that his is an American of African origin, and grew up during one of the most unfavorable post-slavery periods in American history as it related to opportunities for Black citizens.
I cannot do Dr. Johnson’s story justice in this short blog entry but I would strongly encourage you to grab a copy of his book as quickly as you can. I sat and read it in one sitting because I simply could not put it down. It is incredible.
At the age of 75 years old, Dr. Johnson now operates an outreach center in the Anacostia section of Washington, D.C.,where he works with ex-offenders, assisting them to develop parenting skills and preparing them for return to the work force or their own businesses.
I am hoping to join Dr. Johnson in this project and if I am lucky he will take me under his wing as a willing and eager to learn protege.
