Jeff Johnson (BET personality)

Jeffrey Johnson is a political motivator. He is most widely known for his appearance on "Rap City". On these shows, Johnson is known to speak of and challenge the issues of violence and voting.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He was an active leader as a child and an engaged participant in track and field.

Johnson went on to further his education on a track scholarship at the University of Toledo, located in Toledo, Ohio. In the getting all of these demands instated on campus within a year.

Upon graduation from the University of Toledo, Johnson headed off to Washington, D.C. to become National Director for the NAACP's Youth and College Division, and later, Vice President for the Hip hop Summit Action Network.

His involvement in these national organizations piqued interest with BET, who thought that he could use his knowledge with cultural and political affairs on the show Rap City. He was on the show for two seasons, and played the "Cousin Jeff", cousin of the host, Tigger.

Johnson now tours the country, spreading his leadership advice and passion for activism by speaking at churches, university and local communities.

From his celebrated conversations with world figures, to his grass-roots trench work to inspire the next generation of leaders; investigative journalist, political correspondent, and activist, Jeff Johnson continues to be a trailblazer and authentic voice for change.

Johnson has spent the last decade merging the worlds of politics and popular culture. His role as a political activist have included work as Senior Advisor for Media and Youth Outreach for People for the American Way, National Director of the Youth & College division of the NAACP, and an appointment by Russell Simmons as the Vice President of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN).

Johnson earned a reputation as a positive force among youth and young adults through his politically conscious television personality, “Cousin Jeff” on the Black Entertainment Television shows “The Jeff Johnson Chronicles”, which he hosted and produced, and “Rap City.” He has been dubbed the “conscience voice” of Black Entertainment Television.

Johnson is the only American reporter to receive an exclusive interview with Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female head of state and Liberia’s first elected female president. Johnson is also one of only two news correspondents to receive an exclusive interview with Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir, who has not granted interviews with American media outlets for thirteen years.

Johnson has interviewed such marquee figures as Presumptive Democratic Nominee, Barack Obama, Senator Hilary Clinton, and The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and in 2007, he testified before the Committee on Homeland Security regarding recovery efforts in wake of the devastation caused to the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina.

Johnson has published numerous social and political commentaries for CNN.com, The Root.com and Black Politics on the Web.com and is a source of information quoted in Newsweek and Boston Globe. Johnson currently contributes commentary and analysis about issues related to race, politics, popular culture and socio-economics for news broadcasts such as MSNBC, CNN, Fox News Channel, XM radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, BET News and The Dr. Phil Show.

Johnson continues to challenge audiences to innovatively weigh solutions to resolve historic and systemic social imbalances and inequalities. He is also slated to host talk show, The Truth with Jeff Johnson, set to air on Black Entertainment Television fall 2008.

More information about Jeff can be located at www.jeffsnation.com or www.4thdimensionmngt.com.