photo by steed media service

Speaker, Television Personality

Jeff Johnson has quietly become one of the most respected voices of his generation. Known as "Cousin Jeff" to many, Johnson has been able to maintain a memorable stint on BET's "Rap City" and has positioned himself as a forward-thinker, unafraid of change. Equal parts activist and cultural commentator, Johnson continues to be an instrument of change for his people, and is passionate about improving the lives of Black people in general, and Black men in particular.

"Black men are going through a whole lot," he says. "Black men and [their] problems have evolved. Some of [the problems] have been from external sources and some of them have been from within, but, at the end of the day, the real issue is how Black men begin to define themselves and Black masculinity."

Redefining Black masculinity is only one of many things that Johnson feels the community must make a priority. "We need to play the Chess game instead of Checkers," he explains. "Instead of saying, 'This is the one thing that all Black people must do to save the black universe,' we have to understand that we may look, think, and act differently, but we all want the same thing."

Johnson feels dialogue between the generations is of the utmost importance.
"It's imperative that young people who 'get it' must say to their elders, 'I know that you don't like my hair or music or the way that I talk, but I need you.' And we need elders who 'get it' to say, 'Look, I know you don't understand my old ways, but I love you and because I love you, I need to talk to you.'" -todd williams

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