Harry E. Johnson (born September 29, 1954, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States) is a career lawyer, entrepreneur, public servant and partner at the Law Office of Glenn and Johnson in Houston, Texas. He served as City Attorney for Kendelton, Texas from 1996 to 1999, and taught at Texas Southern University in both the Thurgood Marshall School of Law and School of Public Affairs from 1994 to 1999. Johnson is a former National President of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and is the President and CEO of the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc.

Biography

Education

Johnson received his Bachelor of Arts from Xavier University of Louisiana in May 1986 and completed Post Baccalaureate work in Public Administration at St. Louis University from 1981 to 1982. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in May 1986 from Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where he was a member of the Thurgood Marshall Student Bar Association, Senior Class President, and Phi Alpha Delta President. He also attended Christian Brothers College High School of St. Louis, Missouri.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial

Johnson was the President and CEO, from its 2002 establishment, of the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. The President of the United States and the U.S. Congress charged the foundation with erecting a memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Under Johnson’s leadership, the foundation raised more than $112 million of the original budget of $120 million for the memorial, saving a further $8 million by having the memorial made in China; positioned three boards (Executive Leadership Cabinet, Governing Board and Honorary Board) for the foundation; and garnered support from all living U.S. Presidents, Congress, members of the corporate and nonprofit communities, and celebrities. Johnson oversaw the Memorial through to its dedication on August 28, 2011.

Presidency of Alpha Phi Alpha

From 2001 to 2004, Johnson served as the 31st National President of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Johnson was not only the youngest person elected to the position of National President in 40 years, but was also elected with the highest margin of any president in 20 years. While in this role, Johnson oversaw over 700 chapters located throughout the United States and abroad; increased the number of chapters in good standing; and was credited with enhancing the national image of the organization with fraternity members, business leaders and political officials.

Personal life

Johnson is a lifelong Catholic.

Distinctions, honors and awards

Johnson has received a number of recognitions for his community involvement and public service, including:

Community involvement

Johnson has dedicated his time to many community groups and issues, including voter registration, blood donations, birth defects and teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, the National Marrow Donor Program, and the National Blood Drive, Boy Scouts of America and Big Brothers of America.

Additional affiliations