What you help a child to love can be more important than what you help a child to learn.

-African Proverb

Randy Johnson is a Special Education Teacher at Chimes School in Baltimore City, a Staff Member of Black Dirt Farm (an all natural afro-ecological operation), a Teacher-Student at Orita's Cross Freedom School, and a Facilitator with Bridge Kids International. He has shown a great passion for youth development in his 10+ plus years of engagement with day cares, churches, nonprofits, public/private schools, and local/international organizations.

Mr. Johnson is a leader that works on pursuing people's passions. He helps children and adults bridge the gap between their interests and direct action that will benefit the community. His work is completed in the hopes that it will unify and uplift those marginalized and oppressed.

This is evident in the gardens he has started in neighbors' yards across the country. Currently, Black Dirt Farm is supplying organic, natural produce to individuals and businesses in the D.C., Maryland, & Virginia area. Also, the farm serves as a site for land care in communion with nature trainings, wholistic health workshops, and community building seminars.

Mr. Johnson has witnessed systematic oppression firsthand on four different continents. These experiences oblige him to continue his work with youth here in the U.S. and abroad. Bridge Kids International was the group responsible for his first visit to Africa. The joys and sorrows encountered on this visit showed him the great value in leaving your homeland. He returned with a desire to bring others with him.

Orita's Cross Freedom School transports the shared struggles and successes of the African Diaspora to children in a hands-on process. Mr. Johnson's work at the school centers around exposing youth to the student-teacher inside themselves. He leads workshops geared towards agriculture, creative writing, physical/mental fitness, teambuilding, and history.

Randy Johnson earned a B.S. in Business Marketing from the University of Louisville and will graduate Towson University in May 2017 with a Masters of Arts in Teaching. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.