"The Voice of the Hip-Hop Generation"

Included in the schedule of events is a visit by activist and Black Entertainment Television celebrity Jeff Johnson on Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Bennett Auditorium, where he will present “Unclaimed Legacy: Beyond Civil Rights.” Johnson, who starred as “Cousin Jeff” on the BET show “Rap City,” is prominent on the national scene for his outspoken stand against violence and the need for participation in the political process.

Johnson’s presentation will be the annual Armstrong-Branch Lecture, named for the first two African-American students at Southern Miss, Elaine Armstrong and Raylawni Branch. It is also part of the spring University Forum series.

Within the hip-hop community and abroad, Jeff Johnson serves as a voice of strength for a generation. An architect for social change, as well as an innate ability to both influence and inspire, Johnson is one of today’s most gifted leaders in both the political and entertainment arenas. Recently, Johnson was named by Source Magazine as one of the hip hop generation’s key political players.

As a voice for social change, Johnson is passionate about his work. “The time is now,” he asserts. “The youth of today are the leaders of TODAY.  If we fail to sow the seeds of education and real leadership into our young people today, we will be forced to reap the weeds of our ignorance verses the flowers of our love tomorrow.”