Kevin Johnson
founder and president of Johnson Media, Inc.
author, The Entrepreneur Mind: 100 Essential Beliefs, Characteristics, and Habits of Elite Entrepreneurs
Why did you think it was important to be a part of the session on entrepreneurship during the SCLC Convention in Birmingham, and what was your take-away from the session?
One of the SCLC’s objectives is economic justice. I believe that entrepreneurship must be part of the plan to achieve economic justice, especially for black Americans. After my session, people left feeling empowered, excited, and motivated to pursue entrepreneurship. I took away a stronger sense of hope and motivation to continue helping people start businesses.
Principled entrepreneurship is defined as “maximizing long-term profitability for the business by creating real value in society while always acting lawfully and with integrity,” in The Science of Success by Charles G. Koch, CEO of Koch Industries. Can you give us some examples of how you practice principled entrepreneurship in your business?
At Johnson Media Inc., we practice principled entrepreneurship by being transparent and honest with our clients, even when it’s not convenient. We have their best interest at heart.
Please share three business principles that are most important to you as a successful entrepreneur that you shared during your presentation at the SCLC convention.
Three important principles I shared were 1) Create New Markets 2) Find the Right Mentor and 3) Adopt New Technology. These are three of the 100 principles I shared from my best-selling book, The Entrepreneur Mind: 100 Essential Beliefs, Characteristics, and Habits of Elite Entrepreneurs.
Koch Industries and the Charles Koch Foundation recently gave $25 million to UNCF to establish the UNCF/Koch Scholars program. The money will enable UNCF to award scholarships to deserving African-American college- or college-bound students, help financially struggling UNCF-member HBCUs and fund other UNCF initiatives. Would you say that kind of donation is important? Why?
This donation is important because many students will attend college who otherwise might not have continued their education beyond high school. In general, investing in college-bound students is one of the best investments a foundation can make.
How do you think Koch’s $25 million donation to UNCF will support future HBCU-educated entrepreneurs?
I attended college on a NASA scholarship. My scholarship enabled me to graduate from a great HBCU where I started my company and formed life-long relationships that have propelled my business to where it is today. This donation has the potential to do the same for other future entrepreneurs who often develop great ideas and companies during their college years.
Name four HBCU-educated entrepreneurs you know who are great examples of the type of business professionals that Koch’s $25 million donation to UNCF hopes to produce.
I attended Morehouse College, an HBCU, on a scholarship from NASA. That scholarship enabled me to study computer science. This education led to me starting my company, Johnson Media Inc., in college 14 years ago. My company continues to do well with revenues in the millions. Likewise, some of the greatest entrepreneurs studied at HBCUs. For example, consider Oprah Winfrey of Tennessee State University, Reginald Lewis of Virginia State University, and Sean Combs of Howard University.
How does Koch’s $25 million donation to UNCF support potential entrepreneurs attending black colleges?
Statistics indicate that entrepreneurs are more successful with a college degree or advanced degree. Attending college provides the educational and social base that entrepreneurs need to be competitive in today’s global economy.
Why are entrepreneurs important to the African-American community’s economy?
Entrepreneurs are important to the African-American community’s economy because they are more likely to produce considerable wealth than they would through more traditional methods. This wealth will catalyze the black community’s economic growth and will help cure many of our community’s ills.
Name three benefits you believe African-American entrepreneurs create for their community.
African-American entrepreneurs provide many benefits to their community. Three of these benefits are economic resources, dynamic leadership, and entrepreneurial skill.
