About

“I dream to help improve the lives of marginalized communities.”

I am a sociologist trained in psychiatric epidemiology. I serve as an assistant professor of mental health law and policy. My work centers around childhood trauma, behavioral health, and juvenile justice. I have been an advocate for social justice for the past 14 years. I train, speak, and teach internationally on topics related to trauma, poverty, antiracism, and sustainable peace. I am also a pioneer of applied forensic sociology. I founded Johnson Forensic Services and serve in the state and federal court system as an expert witness and facilitator. My philanthropic and research interests in these areas are fueled by my childhood experiences. I also leverage my artistry as a storyteller to connect with a broader audience. I would love to connect with you. See #DoctorMicahJohnson (social media), click the book button, or email me.

I invest my personal time in providing education on topics related to race, poverty, and other issues at the intersection of social justice and mental health. I wrote and released a picture book as a way for parents and child services providers to have difficult conversations with children. I thought I would just print a few copies and distribute them from the trunk of my car. However, it debuted at #1 for New Releases on Amazon in the poverty and homelessness category. It has held that spot since it was released. The first wave of support came from my friends, supporters, and social network, who bought the book and shared it with their families. The next wave of support will come from people who want to invest in the character development of their children and loved ones in their families and communities. It is about a single father and his son struggling with homelessness and disadvantage. https://tinyurl.com/y9tdmqvm

CEOs and administrators struggle to find interesting, dynamic, and skilled speakers, especially ones who are available, professional, and can help grow their businesses. I fill these gaps and connect with audiences uniquely. Individuals engage more with speakers who have unique lived experiences and have projects that bring information, joy, and an emotional connection.

My journey and work resonate with folks from all walks of life. I am a professor of mental health law and policy who just authored two books: One about Police Youth Dialogues dealing with race and healing; and another entitled Never Had a Friend, which debuted at #1 on Amazon in the poverty and homelessness category. It deals with childhood trauma, homelessness, bullying, and how social support can help youth escape horrible conditions.

I am a respected scientist in the field of behavioral health and alcohol/drug use among adolescents, especially those in the criminal justice system. I have published over 20 studies in scientific journals. My research has been referenced by major media outlets, including the New York Times.

I am probably the only scientist funded by NIH who has been a music producer and A&R. I have a passion for Hip-Hop and rap music. I have a wealth of knowledge about the music industry, including untold stories about the music game during the mid-2000s when I was active in the music industry. I am probably the only person to get a Ph.D. and celebrate the evening with southern underground rap legend Pastor Troy.

Apart from my professional experiences, my personal journey is one that inspires audiences. I grew up in homeless shelters in urban ghettos across the country, and today I am a professor at a preeminent university. I leverage my personal journey to connect with my students and the broader community that we serve.

I accept donations and gifts to help advance my work, especially art-based research, education, and dissemination. We take the information we learn in the scientific literature and translate it into creative works that are more digestible and relevant for a broader audience. For example, the Never Had a Friend collection uses a picture book and one-person show/solo play to discuss trauma, behavioral health, and social stratification. These creative works require financial resources to create and share.

Donations made through this website go directly to the Florida non-profit charitable organization Friendly Neighbors and do not go to Dr. Johnson for his personal use. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. For more details on donations, please read the full donation disclaimer. For more details about this site, please review the website disclaimer.