After the early death of their mother Elouise Johnson, their grandmother, Annie M. Johnson and aunt, Marguerite Johnson, assumed the roles and responsibilities of raising the Johnson seven. After Annie passed away, Marguerite continued to instill a sense of Godly love, family values, self-determination, and dependability to the Johnson seven.  These are the core values that shaped and defined their character and spirit. Out of the seven siblings, five graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with degrees in Engineering, Social Work, Food and Nutrition, Elementary - Special Education Teacher and Accounting.  One graduated from University of Houston with a major in System Security. The oldest sibling Don Johnson passed away September 12, 2005. We want others to know that our challenges and struggles growing up in a small town, helped us to realize as long as you put God first in your life, you can still achieve your dreams.  Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, reads, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Our legacy is God-fearing, Hope, Resilience and a Determination to Succeed. You will never know if you can achieve your dreams, unless you try.

Two $500 Johnson Legacy Scholarships will be awarded preferably to two Catahoula Parish graduating high school seniors who have been accepted to Southern University in Baton Rouge, La. or another HBCU accredited University in Louisiana in the fall of 2023 and pursuing a 4-year degree.

1.  Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). 

2.  Applicants must reside in Catahoula Parish.

3.  Selection is based on merit, academic potential, community service, letters of recommendation, and financial need.

4.  The scholarship committee will consist only of the Johnson 6 - Patricia Johnson, Barbara Brackins, Terry Johnson, Charlene Johnson-Barrett, Connie Johnson-Sanders and Cedric Johnson. The committee will review, evaluate and select 2 winners and 2 alternates.

5.  Scholarship funds are not considered a loan but a gift to help with the burdensome costs associated with food, tuition fees, books and room and board.

6.  The names of all scholarship winners and details of other important information will be announced in an award letter by May 15th of each year.

7.  Funds to the winner(s) should be distributed, after satisfactory evidence of enrollment has been received by the Committee.

8.  If for any reason, a recipient relinquishes a scholarship or fails to enroll at Southern University or another HBCU accredited University in Louisiana as a full-time, undergraduate student, that scholarship will be granted to one of the alternate students, selected by the committee. 

Johnson Legacy Scholarship Application period is open until May 10, 2024, 11:59 pm central.