Daemen alum David Johnson ’16, is the senior director of the College Prep Program at Buffalo Prep, an organization founded in 1989 to provide access and preparation for talented, underrepresented youth to achieve success in education.
Last year, Johnson returned to Daemen on multiple occasions to help celebrate the university’s 75th anniversary, serving as both a keynote speaker at the 2022 Commencement ceremonies, as well as one of 75 Founders Bell ringers during Founders Celebration last fall.
Johnson was recently a recipient of Buffalo Business First’s 2023 Inclusion Diversity Equity Awareness (IDEA) Award, which honors those who are defenders of diversity and champions of inclusion within both their community and workplace.
“There are so many individuals doing great work and I am grateful to be honored as one of them,” said Johnson. “The IDEA Award continues to bring awareness to important issues and keeps the conversation at the forefront.”
Johnson continued, “being recognized for diversity and inclusion speaks to how far we’ve come, yet how far we have to go to make our communities and world a better place that embraces individuals as their authentic selves.”
Johnson, who also worked as the associate director of admissions at Daemen, credits his alma mater with giving him the foundational knowledge to experience and achieve success.
“I began supporting students even before I graduated,” said Johnson. “My experience at Daemen deepened my understanding of the inequities to accessing higher education and the barriers many students of color experience.”
Currently, through his work at Buffalo Prep, Johnson provides direct counseling and support for students.
“We promote racial justice and advocate for educational equality and access,” explained Johnson. In my role as senior director, I am privileged to support brilliant scholars to thrive in high school and prepare for their post-secondary journey. In collaboration with education and community partners, we work to create a more inclusive environment for all.”