Benedict College Athletics

James E. Johnson was born and raised in Charleston, S.C. He graduated from the historically significant Burke High School, where he excelled in basketball and football. During his senior year, he made All State in both sports. James was awarded a football scholarship to attend Benedict College, where he was on the Dean's List. He became a starter on the football team as quarterback. When the football program was cut, he became a starter on the basketball team, playing the position of forward and averaging 15 points per game. While attending Benedict, he became a pivotal member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Upon graduation from Benedict College, James moved to Washington, D.C., where he was employed by the D.C. Public School System as a crisis teacher. While there, he received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award. He also worked part-time at the D.C. Recreation Department, where he coached youth football, baseball and basketball. After leaving the D.C. school system, he worked 21 years at Howard University as an employment manager / personnel analyst. After retiring from Howard, he owned and operated the Gospel Notes Christian Bookstore for 10 years. After closing the bookstore, James went to work for the Prince George's County Government as a special assistant to the executive, focusing on the Summer Youth Program, where more than 1,300 students were hired. In 2012, James Johnson retired from county government after serving as Director of Housing and Community Development. James is the proud father of four children: Mia, Kristi, Jamescha and Demetrious. He finds the greatest pleasure in loving his two granddaughters, Ryan and Santana Benedict College has always been near and dear to James. He recently fulfilled a lifelong dream of returning to South Carolina to reside in Columbia with his beloved friend and partner, Debra.