10 Things to Know About Jeff Johnson

Learn more about the former BET host's inspiring career.

World-Class Host - Learn more about Jeff Johnson, the Producer, Activist, and multi-hyphenated powerhouse bringing BET's Mancave to the airwaves.(Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Walk the Line - In honor of Black History Month, BET.com is spotlighting a group of remarkable pioneers who have dedicated their careers to making proactive waves in the Black community. Keep reading to learn more about Jeff Johnson, the former BET host and producer who walks the line between politics and activism. — Patrice Peck (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

College Days - Before becoming the award-winning journalist, communications specialist and thought leader that he is today, Johnson was a "pissed off student" at the predominantly white University of Toledo. The young student, who had received a full-ride scholarship for track, was encouraged by an older peer to join the Black Student Union. As a member, Johnson became more involved on campus and honed his leadership skills.(Photo: BET)

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College Days - Before becoming the award-winning journalist, communications specialist and thought leader that he is today, Johnson was a "pissed off student" at the predominantly white University of Toledo. The young student, who had received a full-ride scholarship for track, was encouraged by an older peer to join the Black Student Union. As a member, Johnson became more involved on campus and honed his leadership skills.(Photo: BET)

Young and Active - Eager to continue strengthening his political activism background, Johnson later became the National Youth Council Coordinator for the NAACP in Baltimore, Maryland. "That really was the launch for me," Johnson told BET.com. "I was able to learn an unbelievable amount of information."(Photo: BET)

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Young and Active - Eager to continue strengthening his political activism background, Johnson later became the National Youth Council Coordinator for the NAACP in Baltimore, Maryland. "That really was the launch for me," Johnson told BET.com. "I was able to learn an unbelievable amount of information."(Photo: BET)

Joining BET - Johnson's position at the NAACP led to the expanding of his professional network. He met a number of influential figures, including BET executive Stephen Hill, whom Johnson credits for motivating him to join the network. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

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Joining BET - Johnson's position at the NAACP led to the expanding of his professional network. He met a number of influential figures, including BET executive Stephen Hill, whom Johnson credits for motivating him to join the network. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

"Real Journalism Work" - At first, Johnson had no desire to be on television. "I wanted to do hardcore serious activism and TV for me just wasn't serious," said Johnson. However, he soon discovered that his position as a sociopolitical commentator on BET's hit series Rap City would lead to "real journalism work." During his tenure at BET, Johnson not only hosted two shows, but he also traveled throughout the world, interviewed foreign heads of state and "really learned journalism," he told BET.com.(Photo: Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

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"Real Journalism Work" - At first, Johnson had no desire to be on television. "I wanted to do hardcore serious activism and TV for me just wasn't serious," said Johnson. However, he soon discovered that his position as a sociopolitical commentator on BET's hit series Rap City would lead to "real journalism work." During his tenure at BET, Johnson not only hosted two shows, but he also traveled throughout the world, interviewed foreign heads of state and "really learned journalism," he told BET.com.(Photo: Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

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Moving to MSNBC - Johnson decided to shift from BET to MSNBC to continue exploring his journalism career. But, after a short time there, he realized that the channel "just wasn't for me," he explained.(Photo: Vallery Jean/FilmMagic)

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Moving to MSNBC - Johnson decided to shift from BET to MSNBC to continue exploring his journalism career. But, after a short time there, he realized that the channel "just wasn't for me," he explained.(Photo: Vallery Jean/FilmMagic)

From TV to Radio - Johnson also had a seven-year run with The Tom Joyner Morning Show and is currently a regular commentator on The Rickey Smiley Show. "I've never seen a radio host as passionate about history and politics as Rickey," he said.(Photos from left: Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Ford Neighborhood Awards, WENN, John Sciulli/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

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From TV to Radio - Johnson also had a seven-year run with The Tom Joyner Morning Show and is currently a regular commentator on The Rickey Smiley Show. "I've never seen a radio host as passionate about history and politics as Rickey," he said.(Photos from left: Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Ford Neighborhood Awards, WENN, John Sciulli/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

Developing Solutions and Systemic Change - As the Director of Strategy & Planning at the Baltimore-based branding firm Illume Communications, Johnson has provided strategic insight and messaging consulting to a wide-range of clients. Most recently, he worked with media mogul Steve Harvey on his latest book, Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success, and is currently helping municipalities reimagine the future of effective policing.(Photos from left: Brad Barket/BET/Getty Images for BET, Amistad)

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Developing Solutions and Systemic Change - As the Director of Strategy & Planning at the Baltimore-based branding firm Illume Communications, Johnson has provided strategic insight and messaging consulting to a wide-range of clients. Most recently, he worked with media mogul Steve Harvey on his latest book, Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success, and is currently helping municipalities reimagine the future of effective policing.(Photos from left: Brad Barket/BET/Getty Images for BET, Amistad)

On Family - Family plays a large role in Johnson's success. "I think my kids have forced me to look in the mirror at myself, to be able to evolve as a person, to be able to challenge my biggest character flaws," he said about his children Madison, Myles and Malcolm.(Photo: BET)

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On Family - Family plays a large role in Johnson's success. "I think my kids have forced me to look in the mirror at myself, to be able to evolve as a person, to be able to challenge my biggest character flaws," he said about his children Madison, Myles and Malcolm.(Photo: BET)

A Power in Relationships - He also credits his wife Jacqueline for his professional and personal success. "I would not be where I am at this stage if it were not for my wife," said Johnson. "And so I want to celebrate her all the time, because I realize that there is a power in relationships that doesn't always exist in isolation." (Photo: BET)

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A Power in Relationships - He also credits his wife Jacqueline for his professional and personal success. "I would not be where I am at this stage if it were not for my wife," said Johnson. "And so I want to celebrate her all the time, because I realize that there is a power in relationships that doesn't always exist in isolation." (Photo: BET)

Johnson's Legacy - So, what does someone as multitalented as Jeff Johnson want to be remembered for? "I want my legacy to be that I used my talent and ability to be able to positively affect the communities that I worked in," he said. "To be able to not just inspire people, but create transformative change."(Photo: Brad Barket/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Johnson's Legacy - So, what does someone as multitalented as Jeff Johnson want to be remembered for? "I want my legacy to be that I used my talent and ability to be able to positively affect the communities that I worked in," he said. "To be able to not just inspire people, but create transformative change."(Photo: Brad Barket/BET/Getty Images for BET)