He received his doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Curriculum Studies and Language and Literacy. His research focuses on Black education. Within the context of Black education, he is interested in the complex intersections of race, literacy, and education. Johnson’s work is featured in the Journal of African American Males in Education, The Journal of Negro Education, and English Education. His awards and recognitions include Cultivating New Voices Among Scholars of Color research program through the National Council of Teachers of English and Asa G. Hillard III and Barbara A. Sizemore Research Institute recipient from the American Education Research Association. Dr. Bonnie Farrier, California State University, Fullerton Mentor: Dr. Carmen Kynard, John Jay College of Criminal Justice/CUNY