Grambling State University alumnus Jerald Johnson has taken an inspiring journey from a humble upbringing to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Now, he is giving back to his alma mater by establishing the J.J. Johnson Family Endowed Scholarship. This $25,000 endowment aims to support students in the College of Business, ensuring they have the resources necessary to thrive academically.

A Houston native, Johnson faced numerous challenges on his path to success, including financial struggles and transportation issues during high school. “It was kind of a tough life,” Johnson reminisced, recalling his reliance on public transportation, which often extended his commute to school by more than an hour. However, as he navigated these obstacles, he remained determined to forge a different future.

Initially interested in computer science, Johnson found his way to GSU due to the encouragement of family and friends. He enrolled in 1991 and graduated in 1995, but the road ahead was difficult. “I had poor interviewing skills,” he admitted. Despite several setbacks in securing internships, Johnson’s self-evaluation and newfound confidence led him to a position as a programmer/analyst at Texas Instruments, marking the beginning of his career in IT consulting.

Over the years, Johnson honed his skills through various roles, including stints at Price Waterhouse and working with major corporations such as Compaq and Eli Lilly. During his time at Eli Lilly, he encountered a key mentor, Peter Li, who encouraged him to consider entrepreneurship. However, Johnson decided to gather more experience before launching his own business.

In 2005, Johnson transitioned to independent consulting, only to face a significant setback when Hurricane Ike devastated his business in 2008. Undeterred by this near-failure, he relocated to Dallas and rebuilt his consulting career, leading to the establishment of Simplistek—a company focusing on simplifying complex business processes through technology.

Giving Back

With Simplistek flourishing, Johnson became involved with the GSU College of Business Advisory Board. Inspired by principles learned from Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, he and his wife prioritized philanthropy. When GSU’s vice president for university advancement and innovation, Brandon A. Logan, presented the idea of creating an endowment, Johnson saw it as a perfect opportunity to give back.

“My family wanted to ensure that others have the same opportunities I did,” he shared. “This endowment is about giving back to Grambling, which gave me so much. That’s what this is all about.”

Following his legacy, Johnson’s son is a student at GSU and will graduate from the College of Business in the spring. 

This article sources information from Grambling State University.