Dennis L. Johnson

About Dennis L. Johnson

Dr. Dennis Johnson is a Chicago native and nationally recognized scholar practitioner specializing in workforce development, and systemic reform. His work centers on the economic and structural barriers impacting Black and Brown youth, as well as the lived experiences of Black students within career technical education programs. He believes collaborative academic and career development ecosystems are essential to advancing opportunity and long-term student success.Dr. Johnson previously served as the inaugural CBCF John R. Lewis Social Justice Fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives, working with Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development) and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. During his tenure, he focused on legislation related to environmental equity, workforce development, and the evolving gig economy.In 2020, Dr. Johnson led a national advocacy effort urging Zoom Video Communications to strengthen protections for marginalized communities after his dissertation defense was disrupted by a Zoom-bombing incident. His petition garnered more than supporters and resulted in direct engagement with Zoom’s executive team to improve platform safeguards for users worldwide.Dr. Johnson currently serves as Senior Vice President of Programs and Partnerships at The Application, where he oversees strategic relationships with more than 600 corporate partners and supports the design and implementation of 30+ fellowships and workforce development initiatives nationwide. A former teacher, university lecturer, and community organizer, Dr. Johnson is committed to advancing equity through research, policy, and practice. His academic journey, including studies at the University of Michigan, reinforced his belief that opportunity expands when institutions are intentional about access and accountability.He is a co-founder of the Black Youth Project and a member of The Peace Exchange: Chicago-Asia. Dr. Johnson has appeared on WVON’s Cliff Kelley Show, MSNBC, FOX News, ABC, NPR, and has served as a panelist for the Congressional Black Caucus and the U.S. Department of Education’s commemoration of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.Dr. Johnson’s next chapter focuses on advancing equity within the nation’s fire and emergency medical services (EMS). As a Volunteer Firefighter/ EMT, he is committed to bridging the gap between progressive research, policymakers, and frontline fire and EMS professionals.

Experience

1. Senior Vice President of Programs and Partnerships

   The Application Hbcu 20x20

   Sep 2017 — Present · US

   Oversee new business development, partnership agreements, and outreach.• Lead strategic planning and program design and management for programmatic initiatives resulting in partnerships with over 200 companies and a database of over HBCU students and alumni. • Developed corporate fundraising programs and partnerships resulting in $1.5 million from companies such as Intel, Space X, Universal Music Group, RobinHood, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and many others.• Developed inclusive tactics to pipelining students and alumni of HBCU’s into fortune 500 companies.• Manage 5 team members and 55 ambassadors spread across 60+ HBCU’s.• Creator and director of Professors’ Circle a guest lecturing program for over 150+ HBCU professors.

Education

• University of Maryland

  National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Certification

• Georgetown University

  Nonprofit Management Executive Program

• Chicago State University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Political Science and Government

• University of Maryland

  Firefighter 1 Certification

• University of Michigan

  Master Degree, City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning

• California State University, Long Beach

  Doctor of Education - EdD, Educational Leadership and Administration