By Catie George, Director, Communications & Storytelling
Black History Month serves as a reminder of the achievements, struggles, and ongoing contributions of Black Americans throughout history. For JBJ Management’s Founder and CEO Willis Johnson, this annual commemoration has held special significance since adolescence.
“Black History Month has been special to me since I was in high school. Growing up in East Texas in an era of segregation, it was big to learn that the signal light was invented by a Black man, to understand Dr. Charles Drew’s creation with blood plasma, and to understand the impact of Thurgood Marshall on the Supreme Court,” Johnson said. “My dad was a minister and a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, of which Dr. [Martin Luther] King was one of the founding members, so just to see history being made while celebrating was important to me.”
This early connection to Black history was deeply personal, shaped by both education and family ties to the civil rights movement.
“My mom and dad were big influences on me because they were engaged with the community as PTA president and a minister active in advocacy groups like the NAACP.”
Johnson used this blueprint for meaningful community connection to create a career of service.
“KKDA radio was my foundation in Dallas after being hired by the iconic Tom Joyner in 1976, and our radio station was community-based and is what gave me my desire to be ‘in the community.’ Churches, community centers, Black-owned businesses, playing softball games in all area parks, and promotional activities in every area of Dallas and Fort Worth gave me the desire to start my own business after a strong urging from Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk.”
This journey from radio to entrepreneurship reflects how community engagement can evolve into business leadership that creates opportunities for others.
“I am proud to have built a company with both family members and team members who are simply looking to have a better life in Dallas-Fort Worth,” Johnson said. “Black businesses are the heart of so many projects; they are too numerous to name. It’s critical to have all perspectives when cities are being built and not just one-sided thinkers. The medical field, construction, managing cities, transportation, science, and more are essential areas of growth, and I see Black business leaders and owners at the table in these areas.”
Looking toward the future, Johnson is continuing to focus on creating something that outlasts a single lifetime.
“I am working to make sure that after I’m gone, JBJ Management will still stand tall. I spent time reading about Ray Kroc at McDonalds and met with Mr. HJ Russell who created HJ Russell in 1952 and it still stands today. That’s my goal.”