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Umar Johnson

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Umar Johnson
Johnson in 2016
Born
Jermaine Shoemake

(1974-08-21) August 21, 1974 (age 50)
North Central, Philadelphia, U.S.
EducationScotland School for Veterans Children
Alma materMillersville University of Pennsylvania (BA&Sc)
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (Psy.D.)
Occupations
Children2

Umar Rashad Ibn Abdullah-Johnson (born Jermaine Shoemake; August 21, 1974) is an American motivational speaker, author and child psychologist who focuses on Pan-Africanism. He is a controversial figure due to remarks seen as homophobic and misogynistic, as well as his conservative and Afrocentric views.[1][2]

Early life and education

Johnson was born Jermaine Shoemake in North Central, Philadelphia on August 21, 1974 to Jamal Abdullah-Johnson, a Sargent in the Marine Corps, and Barbara Shoemake.[3] His stepmother, Bernice Elizabeth Dockins Abdullah-Johnson, was a preschool teacher and his father had his name changed after remarrying.[4] He is the oldest of 11 children.

He attended the Scotland School for Veterans Children and graduated in 1992, later attending and graduating from Millersville University of Pennsylvania in 1997 with two Bachelors of Arts and Science degrees in psychology and political science.[5] In 2012, he graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine as a Doctor of Psychology.[6]

Career

Johnson (far left) in 2015.

In 2011, he was featured on The Untold History of People of Aboriginal, Moor, and African Descent, directed by Tariq Nasheed.[7] In 2013, he released the book Psycho-Academic Holocaust: The Special Education & ADHD Wars Against Black Boys, a book about the increase in misdiagnosis of ADHD in the Black community and how to combat the education system's use of ADHD to stigmatize them.[8][9]

In June 2014, Johnson announced that he would raise $5 million in order to buy Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, which had closed down in 2013 due to financial struggles, and rename it to Frederick Douglass Marcus Garvey Academy.[10] He was given until August 21, 2014 to raise the money.[11] The online magazine MadameNoire said that people should be supporting the school's fundraising based on his "homophobic and misogynistic views."[12] In 2015, he opened a GoFundMe to help with the expenses, expanding the possible campus to Chamberlain-Hunt Academy in Port Gibson, Mississippi. In 2017, The Root criticized him for not providing financial documentation or showing how he's actually used any of the funds for the school.[5] In April 2021, Johnson stated that the school had completed construction but was not ready for classes.[13]

In April 2017, Johnson founded the National Independent Black Parent Association in Leimert Park, Los Angeles.[14] He has criticized politicians for not doing enough to protect Black people from police violence.[15][16][17]

Controversies

In December 2017, Johnson was ordered to stand trial before the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology, to which he said that they were trying to "bring an end to [his] profession."[18][19] He faced charges of engaging in the practice of psychology without a license.[20] He won the case in January 2018.[21][22]

In January 2020, after the death of Kobe Bryant, Johnson suggested that the helicopter was sabotaged in order to assassinate him and that it was ordered by the National Basketball Association and the pharmaceutical industry.[23] Many people on Twitter responded to him saying that he was only using Bryant as publicity.[24][25] In May 2021, Johnson criticized Kevin Samuels saying that he was "slandering and criticizing Black women who don’t emulate Eurocentric standards of beauty and success."[26][27] In September 2021, he hosted an Instagram Live where he married two women.[28]

Many people have criticized Johnson, including the magazines The Root and TheGrio,[29][30] while others have defended and praised his actions.[31][32]

Works

  • Psycho-Academic Holocaust: The Special Education & ADHD Wars Against Black Boys (2013)

References

  1. ^ Owens, Cassie (January 2, 2018). "Popular speaker Umar Johnson faces fines over lack of psychology license". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  2. ^ Dungca, Nicole (January 15, 2014). "Psychologist who calls homosexuality a mental illness to speak at Jefferson High as part of diversity initiative". The Oregonian.
  3. ^ "Abdullah-Johnson, Jamal, Sgt". Together We Served.
  4. ^ "Clipped From Philadelphia Daily News". Philadelphia Daily News. March 1, 2018 [March 17, 1995].
  5. ^ a b Harriot, Michael (July 11, 2017). "We Fact-Checked Umar Johnson's Hotep Tantrum With Roland Martin Because Someone Had To". The Root.
  6. ^ Harriot, Michael (July 18, 2017). "I Was Wrong. His Name Is Doctor Umar Johnson". The Root.
  7. ^ Butler, Andreas (December 23, 2016). "'The Prince of Pan- Afrikanism'". Florida Courier.
  8. ^ "'Prince of Pan-Africanism' Dr. Umar to lecture here". Indianapolis Recorder. January 30, 2015.
  9. ^ "ADHD Wars Against Black Boys: Dr. Umar Johnson Details How To Combat Misdiagnosis Of The Learning Disorder". NewsOne. April 16, 2015.
  10. ^ Clark, Kevin L. (June 18, 2014). "EDUCATOR LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO FUND ALL-BLACK BOYS ACADEMY". Black Enterprise.
  11. ^ Watson, Jamal (June 5, 2014). "Activist Umar Johnson Attempting to Buy St. Paul's College". Diverse.
  12. ^ Ball, Charing (June 24, 2014). "It's Not A Good Idea To Support Dr. Umar Johnson's All-Black Boys Academy". MadameNoire.
  13. ^ Henry, Carma (April 29, 2021). "Dr. Umar Johnson Gives 'Bittersweet' Update on His School For Black Boys". The Westside Gazette.
  14. ^ Buck, Kimberlee (July 20, 2017). "Building Stronger Black Children through NIBPA". Los Angeles Sentinel.
  15. ^ Gunn, Tamantha (April 26, 2021). "Dr. Umar criticizes President Biden for not doing more to help Black people". Revolt.
  16. ^ Savaga, Niara (April 28, 2021). "'Black Elected Officials Sitting There Quiet': Dr. Umar Johnson Demands Black Leaders Hold Biden Accountable to Help Protect Black People from Police Violence". Atlanta Black Star.
  17. ^ "OPINION: DR. JOHNSON'S QUESTIONABLE POLITICAL AWARENESS; BLACK VOTES MATTERS". The Black Wall Street Times. January 6, 2020.
  18. ^ Kenney, Tanasia (December 22, 2017). "Dr. Umar Johnson Ordered to Stand Trial, Accuses State of Trying to Strip His 'Psychology Credentials'". Atlanta Black Star.
  19. ^ "Dr. Umar Johnson Under Investigation Over His Psychology License". NewsOne. December 26, 2017.
  20. ^ Muhammad, Michael Z. (January 17, 2018). "The crucifixion of Umar Johnson?". The Final Call.
  21. ^ Harriot, Michael (January 8, 2018). "A Firsthand Account of the Legal Hearing, Support Rally, Church Service—and Attack—of Umar Johnson". The Root.
  22. ^ Newhouse, Sam (January 8, 2018). "Dr. Umar declares victory after hearing over license". Metro.
  23. ^ Shaw, A.R. (January 31, 2020). "Psychologist Umar Johnson says Kobe Bryant was assassinated by NBA, big pharma". Rolling Out.
  24. ^ MaGee, Ny (January 31, 2020). "Dr. Umar Johnson Links Kobe Bryant's Death to Big Pharma Conspiracy". EURweb.
  25. ^ S., Lynn (January 29, 2020). "Dr. Umar Johnson Under Fire For Outrageous Kobe Bryant Death Conspiracy Theory". HotNewHipHop.
  26. ^ Clark, Kevin L. (May 6, 2021). "The Woketep/YouTubian Wars Begin As Dr. Umar Johnson Calls Out Kevin Samuels". Essence.
  27. ^ Wells, Veronica (May 6, 2021). "Dr. Umar Johnson Is Right About Kevin Samuels Making Money Off Making Black Women Feel Bad". MadameNoire.
  28. ^ Thornton, Cedric (September 16, 2021). "PAN AFRICAN DR. UMAR JOHNSON 'MARRIES' 2 WOMEN IN CEREMONY SHOWN ON INSTAGRAM LIVE". Black Enterprise.
  29. ^ "Why Black platforms must stop uplifting Umar Johnson". TheGrio. July 13, 2017.
  30. ^ Harriot, Michael (July 5, 2017). "Everything You Wanted to Know About the Umar Johnson Memes but Were Afraid to Ask". The Root.
  31. ^ Wong, Dwayne (January 5, 2018). "In Defense of Dr. Umar Johnson's Credentials". HuffPost.
  32. ^ Curtis, Anwar (January 17, 2018). "What's really behind the attacks on popular speaker and black activist Umar Johnson?". The Patriot-News.
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