By Taki S. Raton
Dr. Umar A. Johnson
Dr. Umar A. Johnson will return to Milwaukee for scheduled appearances in observance of Black History Month. On Monday, February 23, Johnson will present his topic, “The Return of Jim Crow in the Age of Post-Racialism” in MATC’s Cooley Auditorium beginning at 12 noon. Following from 2 to 3:30 p.m., the internationally acclaimed speaker will hold a more personalized session, “For Brothers Only” in MATC’s M614.
Both presentations are hosted by the college’s Black Student Union. The MATC downtown campus is located at 700 West State Street.
Johnson’s widely received “Town Hall Meeting” in cities where he has been invited will be held in our area on Tuesday, February 24 at the Universal Academy for the College Bound’s Webster Renaissance Campus, 6850 North 53rd Street.
Johnson will present his remarks on “World War III: Black People vs. Everybody.”
The Webster Renaissance presentation will begin at 6 p.m. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Free parking is available.
Sponsored by True Blue Productions, this is Dr. Johnson’s sixth visit to Milwaukee since his first invitation to this area at the King center in May of 2011. Those who follow his work, facebook postings, and his Internet lectures are aware of his vision to open his own school for Black boys, the Frederick Douglas Marcus Garvey Academy. Donations are requested in support of this initiative.
“We are excited to be hosting Dr. Umar Johnson in Milwaukee again,” says Cheryl Blue, founder of True Blue Productions. She adds that, “There are many good speakers on the lecture circuit right now, but Dr. Umar is hands down the most requested.”
He is a Certified School Psychologist who practices privately in Pennsylvania and lectures throughout the country and a blood relative of the great Black abolitionist and orator, Frederick Douglas.
Dr. Johnson is additionally former Minister of Education for the Marcus Garvey Movement, the Universal Negro Improvement Association and the African Communities League.
A writer, political scientist, and consultant to families, educators, mental health professionals and to charter schools throughout the country, he is considered to be one of the most popular faces and voices focusing upon the proper education and development of African American children, Black males in particular.
With a speaking style that many consider “reminiscent” of his late ancestor, Frederick Douglas, he is cited in many published accounts as a prominent leader in the field of Black psychology and education.
As a school psychologist, Dr. Johnson evaluates children ages 3 to 21 in an effort to determine if they have educational disabilities and a need for special education services.
He is considered a national expert on learning disabilities and their effect on Black children as well as an expert on helping schools and parents modify challenging behaviors that can ultimately lead to disruptive behavior disorder diagnosis in Black boys.
In his child therapist capacity, he specializes in working with at-risk, violent, suicidal and depressed African American boys and girls. Over the past five years, he served as the youngest of five African-American male school psychologists in the Philadelphia School District, the 5th largest public school district in America.
Dr. Johnson has received commendations for his volunteer work throughout the Pan-African community and has been a featured guest on various Black talk shows throughout the United States. He is a highly sought after motivational and informational speaker who has presented at workshops, conferences, awards ceremonies, graduations and expert panels throughout the country.
As an educator, psychologist, therapist and historian, the renowned lecturer is considered an authority on the education of African American children and on mental health in the Black community.
His diverse array of presentations and keynotes have included such topics as; Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Black Boys, Special Education Law, Black-on-Black Violence, Post-Traumatic Slavery Disorder, Classroom Management for Teachers, What’s Wrong with Special Education, Marcus Garvey & Frederick Douglas in Black History, Effective Parenting Practices, Understanding Depression in Black Children, The Over-Identification of Black Children as Mentally Retarded and Learning Disabled, Black Male- Female Relationships, and Preparing Black Teenagers for Success.
Blue says that the excitement is “really growing” in Milwaukee over anticipation of Bro. Umar’s appearance.
“He is indeed a profoundly gifted orator in the tradition of his ancestor Frederick Douglass. However, the attraction to Dr. Johnson lies in his sincerity and commitment to African people, and also the fact that he offers not just information, but solutions, particularly for parents dealing with the school system,” she says.
Blue additionally brings to our attention that much has transpired since his last visit to Milwaukee a year ago noting specifically Ferguson, the Eric Garner case and the incident in Cleveland with the killing of 12-year-old Tamir Rice by police, accounts reflective of his Monday and Tuesday presentation themes.
All scheduled area events are free and open to the public.
For additional information, please contact Blue at (414) 751-0169.