About our Founders

From an early age, Frank Johnson always knew that helping others achieve their goals was an important part of his purpose. As Founder of HBCU Culture Legacy Foundation, Mr. Johnson utilized the entrepreneurial teachings of his father, the Late Clyde Wayne Johnson, along with his extensive finance and banking background in Corporate America, and his heart to serve others to start the nonprofit organization. In 2018, Mr. Johnson, along with his wife, La Keisha Johnson hosted their very first HBCU Battle of the Bands event on the very HBCU campus they once marched on as students in the International Institution of Sound Marching Band at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. The inspiration behind starting HBCU Culture Legacy Foundation is based on Mr. Johnson’s personal experience when he unfortunately made the decision to drop out of college approaching his senior year after his father became ill and later passed. Since then, from his advocacy of HBCU institutions and intentional efforts to help increase HBCU awareness, increase enrollment and bridge the financial gap within the African-American community at large, Mr. Johnson has led the mission to ensure HBCU students receive the financial support they need to reach their goal of obtaining a college degree. Since 2018, through intentional vision along with the execution of his team, Mr. Johnson has helped provide $2.8 million in scholarships and educational experiences while serving over 7,000 HBCU students with direct support to 40 HBCU institutions. While achieving several Six Sigma and Leadership certifications over his professional career, Mr. Johnson will be completing what he started by enrolling as a proud student at Morris Brown College, an HBCU in Atlanta, GA in 2024. 

Born and raised in Richmond, VA where her love for dance began, La Keisha Johnson always knew that the performing arts would lead to many open doors. One of which led her directly to Johnson C. Smith University in 2004, an HBCU in Charlotte, NC, where she was the captain of the Blue Satin Dance Team in the marching band, the International Institution of Sound. Mrs. Johnson graduated from JCSU in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and later obtained her Master’s degree in Business Administration in 2013. Mrs. Johnson attributes her personal and professional success to the exceptional education and band experience gained while attending Johnson C. Smith University. Fundamental life skills such as discipline, timeliness, preparation, teamwork, focus, and leadership also transitioned professionally where Mrs. Johnson has over 14 years of Human Resource experience in Employee Relations and Recruiting. From her humble beginnings in Richmond, VA, Mrs. Johnson understand firsthand the importance of reaching back and opening the door for the next generation. Through many years of working alongside her husband and Founder, Mr. Frank Johnson, building the right relationships to provide a reliable resource to HBCU students and the community at large, Mrs. Johnson is proud for the world to see and know why HBCU Culture Matters .