My name is Brian Johnson. I'm a 2024 graduate with a major in and a minor in . I’m from the wonderful city of Cleveland, Ohio. Whenever I meet people, I’m often asked why I chose . I always tell them that Kent was not my first choice, but it was my best choice!
I graduated high school in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was originally supposed to attend a different college, but due to financial restraints, I was unable to attend. However, Kent State offered me a generous amount of funding, and I had a few teachers in high school and co-workers who spoke very highly of Kent.
From the first day I stepped foot on campus, I knew that I had made the right decision.
I have always been heavily involved both in my academics and extracurricular activities. I have served in many different roles during my time here at Kent State. I have served as the director of programming for Black United Students which played a huge role in the creation of Black History Month; a resident assistant; the director of programming for Undergraduate Student Government and the vice president of the Public Health Student Alliance.
As a Black man attending a predominantly white institution, I knew that to truly find my place, I needed to surround myself with my community and those who looked like me.
It’s always important to surround yourself with people who share similar interests, goals or lived experiences.
I find that community can come naturally when you have something in common. But with Kent State being such an accepting place, it’s very easy to find community with others, and there's a group for everyone.
The highlight of my collegiate experience would have to be serving as the director of programming for Black United Students, where I planned, organized and executed the 53rd Annual Renaissance Ball. This is an event that brings the Black community at Kent together to showcase talents and celebrate our culture.
Being asked if I have grown personally, professionally and academically is always a funny question. I feel that I have grown in so many aspects. Freshman Brian compared to Senior Brian are two completely different people, but that’s not a bad thing. As people, we evolve and grow.
Kent State makes you step out of your comfort zone and try things you never thought you would.
I’ve created so many great connections, studied abroad twice in South Africa and Israel and even got the chance to serve the entire Kent State student body in many different capacities.
A piece of advice I always give to incoming or prospective students who are looking to get involved is to simply “Just do it!” It may seem scary and daunting, but the worst someone can tell you is “No.” And even then, you never take no for an answer because someone will eventually tell you “Yes.” I recommend anyone take a leap of faith and see where it takes you. My last piece of advice that I live by and would love to share with you is, “Where there isn’t space, create space!” Just because you don’t see someone who looks like you in the room that doesn’t mean you aren’t qualified to be there. It just means you have to work a tad bit harder to ensure that you won’t be the last person in that space.