|
About Us
|
|
|
According to the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), 63% of black fourth graders read below grade level, compared with 27% of white children. Even Hispanic and Asian fourth graders have better reading scores than black children, despite the fact that English is their second language.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Michael Johnson
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Michael Johnson is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Prodigy Project. He is also Director of Strategy and Business Development for Fortune 14 company McKesson Corporation. Johnson has more than 20 years experience in strategy and business development, finance, technology information solutions, and healthcare. He’s a veteran of the US Air Force and has worked for Philips as Vice President of Business Development, MedCenterDirect, Time Warner HBO, and Lockheed Martin. In the fall of 2003, Johnson implemented the initial phase of The Prodigy Project reading program. Three years later, in the fall of 2006, Johnson formally established The Prodigy Project, Inc., and expanded the program to reach a larger number of children. By demonstrating to boys that reading is important to successful black manhood, the Prodigy Project helps destroy destructive stereotypes about literacy, and helps break the catastrophic cycle that points young black men toward poor achievement and future imprisonment. He has volunteered as a mentor with the Metro Employers of Atlanta Adopt A Student Program , volunteered with The Ronald McDonald House, and is also a former volunteer/mentor with the Big Brother Big Sister organization. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Colorado. 
Ms. Tanya Johnson
Director of Creative Planning
Tanya Johnson is Director of Creative Planning for The Prodigy Project. She is also a State Farm Property and Casualty Operations Team Manager. Tanya has 16 years of experience in the insurance industry. She started her career with State Farm as a personal lines fire underwriter located in Jacksonville, Florida but underwriting districts in South Carolina. Over the years she advanced to senior underwriter, underwriting specialist, underwriting operations coordinator, public protection class coordinator, and underwriting operations supervisor. In the spring of 2004, Tanya joined Michael Johnson and The Prodigy Project as Director of Creative Planning. Johnson received an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Florida State University, and a B.A in Economics from the University of South Florida. Ms. Myra Johnson
Director of Training and Recruitment
Myra Johnson is Director of Training and Recruitment for The Prodigy Project. Myra is also a Learning & Development Performance Analyst at State Farm Mutual, with 22 years experience in the insurance industry and over 10 years experience in the adult learning industry. Myra joined The Prodigy Project team in December of 2007. Johnson completed her undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University in Workforce Education and Development, and her graduate studies at the University of Georgia, obtaining a Master of Education degree in Human Resources and Organization Development. |
|
|