One bad decision can impact your life forever, although not always the way you might expect.
When Kwame Johnson ‘08 fell in with the wrong crowd in high school, he wound up incarcerated during his senior year. Many in his situation go on to become repeat offenders and spend their lives in and out of jail, but not Johnson.
“I was given a second chance,” he says.
A Hand Up
After his conviction, Johnson lost a lot, including his track scholarships that were his ticket to college. What he didn’t lose was the support of his parents and his track coach.
“My coach brought me my schoolwork in jail and put a plan in place for me to get my life back,” he says.
This included taking the SATs, which is something no one had ever done from jail before. Rather than sit idle, he got to work, studying day and night while also preparing for the exam. Johnson applied for a 24-hour furlough from jail so he could go take the SAT, but his request was denied.
Undeterred, he wrote a letter to the College Board. In his preparation book, he had learned that they would bring the SAT exam to students with disabilities. He thought they might be willing to do the same for him, which it turns out they were.
Defying the odds, Johnson stayed on track with his senior year classwork, passed the SAT and qualified to graduate with his class after he completed his sentence.
“I go downtown all dressed up, and [the school had] set it up for my mom to give me my diploma,” he says. “The whole crowd went crazy.”
Discovering His Passion
While he was incarcerated, Johnson’s education included more than just schoolwork. He also found inspiration that would influence the course of his life.
In jail he spent some time in solitary confinement, where he would have conversations with other young men through the ventilation system. During those interactions, he learned just how fortunate he was to have loving parents and supportive mentors who helped him turn his life around when so many others around him had no one on their side. He realized he wanted to serve in that role for young people who are struggling.
“I discovered my passion. It was ingrained in me, and I could never look away from it,” he said. “I had to figure out a way to make sure other young people don’t go through that.”
A Career for Others
After high school graduation he attended college, and although he was enjoying his studies, something wasn’t quite right. He couldn’t get those young men from jail out of his head. Around that time, a chance encounter with a former civil rights activist led him to a new opportunity: working with gang members in Washington, D.C.
“I trusted my gut and my passion and thought, this is what God wants me to do,” he says.
Johnson had initially dropped his classes, but fortunately, his new employer required him to complete his college degree. He enrolled at UMGC to continue with his degree program, mentoring young people by day and studying by night.
“It was the perfect fit for me,” he says.
He worked in similar roles for several years before accepting the CEO position at Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBS). Under his leadership for the past seven years, he has facilitated the mentoring of thousands of young people, making BBBS the largest and most effective youth mentoring agency in Georgia.
“My life has been curated to get to this moment,” he says. “This was my goal when I found my passion.”
Johnson has been recognized across the country for his work with at-risk youth, including with the Social Entrepreneur Program of the Year Award from the Manhattan Institute, the Atlanta Business Chronicle Most Admired CEO Award and the Atlanta Business League Men of Influence Award.
Sharing His Message
Johnson understands how fortunate he was to discover his passion early. He has both mentored those in need of guidance and been on the receiving end of wisdom from others, which has shaped his life in significant ways.
“Mentorship has been a big part of my journey,” he says, and he encourages others to share their gifts to make a difference for others. “Become a mentor, whether it’s with BBBS or someone else.”
He shares his story in his award-winning book, The Hope Inside: Harnessing the Power of Mentorship in Life and Career.
“Hope is my favorite word,” he explains. “If you are hopeful your situation will change, I don’t care what the obstacle is. You are going to figure it out.”
Additionally, Johnson will share more about his personal story and the power of mentorship serving as UMGC's Homecoming 2025 USA Celebration Master of Ceremonies. Register today or learn more about how to participate in Homecoming 2025 celebrations around the world.
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Give Back Through Mentorship
Want to make a difference in the life of a UMGC student or graduate who is looking for career assistance? Give back your time and talent by becoming a mentor through UMGC's Community Connect program. Join or sign in via CareerQuest and select the option to be connected to alumni and students in Community Connect to get started!