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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING THE DETERMINATION AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF DARIUS JAMAL JOHNSON
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago has been in the news lately for being a dangerous location for its youth, but as the news continues to fill the airways with heart-wrenching stories of violence, there is a story of unending hope that comes to the forefront; and
WHEREAS, Darius Jamal Johnson was born in Chicago to a loving and caring mother in 1994; and
WHEREAS, at 5 weeks of age, Darius’ mother was a victim of a drive-by shooting and Mr. Johnson was raised by his dedicated grandparents; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson attended Burnside Scholastic Academy and participated in the National Junior Beta Club, where the mission of the program is to honor high academic achievement, empower youth, and create the leaders of tomorrow through service to others; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson took those mission statements to heart for the rest of his academic career; and
WHEREAS, Darius Johnson graduated from King College Preparatory High School in 2012 after participating in the South Shore Drill Team and the King High School band that traveled to Washington D.C. for the 2008 Presidential Inauguration; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson enrolled in Morehouse College with a major in psychology and political science, but later made the pivotal decision to change his major to English with a minor in Journalism and to pursue his dream of working for CNN; and
WHEREAS, he started his writing career on the Morehouse student newspaper, The Maroon Tiger, which led to the opportunity to become the Public Relations intern at Perfect Pitch Media Group in Georgia; and
WHEREAS, his internship at Perfect Pitch Media Group led him to his current internship with CNN National Content Center in Atlanta, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, upon Mr. Johnson’s graduation from Morehouse College he will be one of six African-American graduate students and the only African-American male at Columbia University School of Journalism entering in the class of 2017; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson will have the possibility of continuing his work with CNN in New York; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners that Cook County shall recognize Darius Jamal Johnson’s determination and strong resolve to not let the challenges he faced growing up to deter him from aiming for his dreams; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to forward a copy of this resolution to be presented to Darius Jamal Johnson in recognition of this important milestone.
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