The news that Michael Johnson, the dynamic and beloved leader of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, had died suddenly last month was a devastating blow to his family, friends and the broader community.
In his 17 years as CEO and president of the local Boys & Girls Clubs, Johnson, 50, transformed the organization into a powerhouse of programs and opportunities that supported the education, talent and growth of young people in the Madison area.
As community leaders, board members and friends remembered Johnson at a June 19 celebration of his life at High Point Church, they recalled how he refused to take no for an answer. They marveled at Johnson’s unique power of persuasion, and how he inspired people to do things they never thought they would do, sharing their time, money and physical labor to help others. He won people over with his ideas and determination, his sense of humor and his heart.
And for Johnson, it was all for the kids. Through his leadership, he changed thousands of lives.
He led the creation of BGCDC’s AVID/TOPS program, a college readiness program offered in partnership with the Madison Metropolitan School District to students in middle and high school. It brought more than $21.6 million to local schools and according to BGCDC, more than 4,900 students have graduated from high school who participated in the program.
Johnson also spearheaded the $35 million fundraising campaign for the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center which trains students in the skilled trades.
Johnson was also a key leader in bringing a statue of Wisconsin pioneer Vel Phillips to the state Capitol grounds. He raised the private funds for the effort to honor Phillips, the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Law School, first woman judge in Milwaukee and the first Black person elected to statewide office.
It’s the only statue of a Black woman on any outdoor Capitol grounds throughout the nation. And it sends a message to local kids that they, too, are brilliant and capable of extraordinary things.
Last year, Johnson published his book, “The Audacity to Lead: From the Projects to the C-Suite: 7 Mindset Lessons on Love, Family, and Turning Adversity into Impact.” In it, he wrote: “A legacy isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you build, one bold, faithful decision at a time.”
Johnson built that legacy many times over. Madison was so fortunate to know this generous and genuine leader and to learn from him. He gave us the guidance and tools to make our community better for everyone. It’s up to us to follow his lead.
