Happy Johnson to open WC series with 'From Foster Care to First Responder'
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Happy Johnson will share his journey from being homeless to a nationally prominent advocate for society’s forgotten at Wilmington College Sept. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in Hugh G. Heiland Theatre.
The presentation, “Happy Johnson: From Foster Care to First Responder,” will open the 2011-12 Issues & Artists Series. Plastic Musik’s abstract, high-energy percussion show will follow Oct. 4. The series is free of charge.
Happy Johnson spent his childhood shuffling around different foster care homes. Despite a neglected upbringing, Johnson has used the strength of his faith and support from his “village” to become a powerful voice for the most vulnerable in society.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Johnson drove an emergency response vehicle in New Orleans. At the conclusion of his service as a first responder, Johnson led a nongovernmental organization that harnessed the power of social media in order to provide hundreds of new blankets to homeless families living in trailers and cars.
Johnson has since replicated that formula to assist orphanages affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Johnson’s journey is about exceeding expectations; transcending a childhood fraught with obstacles to become a young man pioneering to make the world a better place.
Author Dave Eggers called Johnson “an electrifying and inspiring speaker” in his book, "Zeitoun: the True Story of One Family Caught between the War on Terror and the Response to Hurricane Katrina."
WC’s new first-year students were assigned to read Eggers’ book this summer in preparation for discussion in freshman global issues courses.[[In-content Ad]]
The presentation, “Happy Johnson: From Foster Care to First Responder,” will open the 2011-12 Issues & Artists Series. Plastic Musik’s abstract, high-energy percussion show will follow Oct. 4. The series is free of charge.
Happy Johnson spent his childhood shuffling around different foster care homes. Despite a neglected upbringing, Johnson has used the strength of his faith and support from his “village” to become a powerful voice for the most vulnerable in society.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Johnson drove an emergency response vehicle in New Orleans. At the conclusion of his service as a first responder, Johnson led a nongovernmental organization that harnessed the power of social media in order to provide hundreds of new blankets to homeless families living in trailers and cars.
Johnson has since replicated that formula to assist orphanages affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Johnson’s journey is about exceeding expectations; transcending a childhood fraught with obstacles to become a young man pioneering to make the world a better place.
Author Dave Eggers called Johnson “an electrifying and inspiring speaker” in his book, "Zeitoun: the True Story of One Family Caught between the War on Terror and the Response to Hurricane Katrina."
WC’s new first-year students were assigned to read Eggers’ book this summer in preparation for discussion in freshman global issues courses.[[In-content Ad]]