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A.J. "Keep'in It Real" Johnson
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A.J. Johnson, a native of New Orleans, arrived in Baton Rouge in December of 1995. In 1996, he started addressing the needs to motivate youth within the community and prepare them for a productive future. On October 5, 1998, he decided to respond to the unmet needs of HIV/AIDS education within our community by founding the first minority AIDS Servicing Organization (ASO) in Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge AIDS Society). For two years, the organization survived in the second bedroom of A.J.’s two bedroom apartment. The work would quickly spread to the living room and dining room area. In 2000, A.J. received his first major grant from the Office of Public Health to provide FREE HIV Counseling and Testing, Street Outreach, Condom Availability and Community Outreach services. As-of-date, the organization continues to be funded by this state office.
In 1999, God spoke to A.J. to go to the churches. However, he did not clearly understand the message until 2004. God is calling upon the churches to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs within the community. In 2005, BRASS received a grant from the Office of Minority Health to manage a Faith based AIDS Coalition for Technical assistance and Services (FACTS). Twelve churches were selected to participate in this three year funding period. In addition to the 12 churches, BRASS has 46 churches in the Baton Rouge and surrounding areas that are part of their Faith Based Initiative (The FBI).
During his fight against HIV/AIDS, A.J. has served as a Disease Intervention Specialist with the Office of Public Health and Hospitals and the Assistant Executive Director of Friends for Life AIDS Resource Center. His community commitment reaches out to the Louisiana School for the Deaf Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Advisory Counsel, Family Road Advisory Counsel, Region II HIV Community Planning Group and the HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region II Board of Directors. He has recently been elected as the Baton Rouge Representative to the Statewide HIV Community Planning Group.
He is a certified HIV Counselor by the Louisiana Office of Public Health Department of Health and Hospitals & Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a certified instructor through the Louisiana Department of Education, a certified Social Change Researcher through the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, a certified leadership instructor through the Kellogg Foundation and a certified HIV/AIDS instructor for Basic HIV/AIDS Information and African American HIV Training through the National Red Cross Association.
In 2006, he received national recognition by the Balm in Gilead as the first person to receive the Rev. Canon Fredrick Boyd Williams Community Service Award. Also, he received the Baton Rouge Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Golden Hands Award during the same year. In June of 2006 he received his license as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As early as three weeks ago, he was appointed by the governor as a member of the Louisiana Commission on HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis.
With the support of his family, wife-Gabrielle Johnson and daughter-Jazmine Johnson, he is able to serve as an educational and motivational speaker at various local, regional and national events.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the man who has committed his life to saving lives, has become known as one of the hardest working men in health care, and is known throughout the community by one name: A.J. “Keepin It Real” Johnson!
Baton Rouge AIDS Society
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Gabrielle and Jazmine
New York City - 2006
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Jazmine Christina Johnson
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The Family in Mississippi
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If you would like A.J. “Keepin’ It Real” to appear at your location, contact him directly at 225-268-9336!
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