MSNBC Appoints Jeff Johnson as Contributor

Jeff Johnson has joined MSNBC as a contributor and TheGrio.com as a senior correspondent based in Washington, DC.

Johnson will provide insight and perspective on wide-ranging topics such as education, politics and pop culture, and will serve as TheGrio.com’s first senior correspondent covering the White House and Capitol Hill. NBC News President Steve Capus made the announcement today.

“Jeff is an incredible thought leader and will provide a strong, authentic voice on key issues for both MSNBC and TheGrio.com,” said Steve Capus. “His deep journalism expertise combined with his active participation in the political community make him a prized resource as we expand TheGrio to Washington.”

Currently, Jeff is a commentator on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show. He is also President of the Jeff Johnson Institute for Urban Development. In September 2009, Jeff released his first book “Everything I’m Not Made Me Everything I Am” (Smiley Books/Hay House).

Johnson has served as Senior Advisor for Media and Youth Outreach for People for the American Way; National Director of the Youth & College division of the NAACP; and as the Vice President of Russell Simmon's Hip Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN).

In 2008, Johnson received the National Association of Black Journalists’ Salute to Excellence Award for the “Life & Death in Darfur, Jeff Johnson Reports” series that appeared on BET.

Johnson currently resides in Washington, DC.