United States
Dr. Maurice Johnson is an educator and researcher of media, communications and Hip Hop culture. He is a graduate of the Florida A&M University (FAMU) School of Journalism & Graphic Communication, earning a Bachelor of Science in Magazine Production.
He later earned a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications at the Florida State University (FSU) College of Communication and Information with graduate certificates in both digital video production and project management. Johnson has served as a faculty member at both institutions, which are located in Tallahassee, Florida, and is currently a full-time faculty member at Fort Valley State University and adjunct instructor at Kennesaw State University.
Johnson received his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at the FAMU College of Education. His research focuses on the intersection of Hip Hop culture, urban schools, and culturally responsive teaching and leadership. He is an accomplished journalism educator and was selected from a nationwide search to participate in the 2022 Solutions Journalism Educators Academy. He formerly served as faculty advisor to the award-winning college student newspaper, The Famuan, and advisor to the FAMU student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).
Dr. Johnson has presented academic research at the East Carolina University Emerging Scholars Symposium, the Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience, the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting and was a featured speaker for the award-winning Leon County Library Lecture Series. He recently served as a panelist at the 10th Annual Created Equal: The Rhythm and Resilience of Black Music.
He is an Inaugural Propel Center HBCU Faculty Fellow, in which he created tech-enhanced approaches to promote learning and identifying opportunities for technology integration in learning environments and their surrounding communities.
Email:ml2002johnson@gmail.com
Instagram: @novatheprofessor
TALLAHASSEE, Fl. - When Maurice Johnson walked across the stage this summer to receive his doctorate in educational leadership, the moment carried more weight than a personal achievement. It was a testament to a journey fueled by culture, community and the belief that education should connect-not separate-students from their lived experiences.
From the spirituals sung during slavery to today’s hip-hop anthems, Black music has evolved alongside the Black experience, providing a voice for change and a foundation for cultural expression. Leon County Government and The 10th Annual Created Equal event explored the rich history of Black music, showing how it serves as a living chronicle of the Black experience. Panelists were Dr. Mark Butler, Dr. Lisa Munson, and Dr. Maurice Johnson.
In the first episode of our series, Professor Maurice Nova Johnson shares his expertise and passion for culturally relevant pedagogy in hip hop education. Discover how he harnesses the power of hip hop culture to create an immersive learning experience that resonates with students.
In the inspiring conclusion to our series, Professor Maurice Johnson returns to guide us through a rhythmic exploration of hip hop culture and its profound impact on history, Black and American culture and its enduring legacy as a driver of change.
Happy Juneteenth Weekend Rattlers! We were able to delve into 2007 School of Journalism and Graphic Communication alumnus and professor, Maurice Johnson's expertise in the subject matter of Hip Hop. In this edition of #FAMUShorts Johnson provides valuable insights into the intersection of Hip Hop culture, music, and education. Johnson focuses on the origins of Hip Hop culture and its educational aspects. He also discussed as an educator, how you incorporate Hip Hop into your teaching methods...
Maurice Johnson's use of hip hop culture in the classroom has allowed him to create a name for himself in the world of academia beyond Tallahassee.
This year marks FAMU professor Maurice Johnson's 20th FAMU homecoming. He now also teaches at Florida State in Tallahassee.
Professor Maurice Johnson utilizes Hip Hop culture to discuss Black portrayals in media as well as provide research for how students engage with the content.
CCI visiting faculty member Maurice Johnson will be presenting his research at the upcoming American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, which will be held April 21-26 in San Diego, California. Johnson will be joined by Dr. Vanessa Ochoa, Ph.D (East Los Angeles College) and Dr. Asif Wilson, Ph.D.
Professor Maurice Johnson was selected as a member of the 2022 cohort of the Solutions Journalism Educators Academy. It was held at the historic White Stag Building at the University of Oregon campus in Portland, Oregon from July 12-15, 2022. The SoJo Educators Academy is designed for journalism and communications faculty interested in learning how...
Over the years, hip-hop has been on a journey to becoming respected in academia. These professors believe the genre is worth being studied.
A FAMU and FSU faculty member teaches his students about hip hop culture and mass media. Tuesday, he talked with WCTV about the loss of Migos' rapper Takeoff.
On March 30, 2023, Maurice Johnson (IMC '11) spoke at LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library. His talk, "Hip Hop: A Reflection of Society", explored the origins of Hip Hop culture and how Hip Hop music can be used as an educational tool. "Hip Hop music speaks to me because it articulates the socioeconomic struggle...
Florida State University's own Professor Johnson explains how he developed his unique subject matter and teaching styles. He interprets Hip Hop as a means of global communication, using his natural connection to the culture to reach his students.
Professor Johnson describes his use of specific movies from the "Blaxploitation" era to close the gap of understanding and increase past cultural knowledge.
As inner city schools in NYC were stripped of their arts programs, our natural ability to invent and persevere took hold. The spirit of communication by any means necessary is highlighted so that students are always aware of the power that drives the need to be heard.
Professor Maurice Johnson speaks about his travels around the world at a young age and discusses how specific experiences such as living in Panama while General Manuel Noriega was in power shaped how he interpreted songs like "Hustlin" by Rick Ross. He also mentions how living in Georgia during Outkast's early era shaped his understanding of the culture and the music specifically.
As we celebrate its 50th anniversary, The Root spoke to Professor Maurice Johnson about the genre's future.
Tune in as we discuss Hip-Hop 50 with Professor Maurice Johnson.