Library: News Releases
OKLAHOMA CAPITOL --- George Earl Johnson, Jr., Director of Communications for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, was this year’s recipient of the Humanitarian Award at the Annual Oklahoma Black Heritage Celebration in Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma Black Heritage Celebration is the largest state-sponsored Black History Month event in Oklahoma. It’s mission is to educate everyone on the contributions of Black Oklahomans by shining a light on the unsung heroes and unrecognized individuals whose quite contributions have had a major impact on our state and our shared history.
“It is with a full and humble heart that I receive this honor,” Johnson said. “This would not have been possible if I had not been allowed to stand on the shoulders of those who went before me. They have cleared many fields and laid strong foundations upon which I could stand. I’m also very thankful for my family who gives me the freedoms and supports needed to live out my dreams."
Johnson was honored for his charitable and community services efforts during much of the last two decades. He’s served on the United Way of Greater Oklahoma City’s allocations board for 14 years and been on the Oklahoma Goodwill Industries, Inc., Executive Board of Directors for seven years. Johnson is active in charity and fund-raising work at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Oklahoma City where he also leads an adult Bible Study program.
Each semester, he does pro bono lectures for upper division and graduate students at several Oklahoma colleges and universities on public relations practices, health and human services issues, leadership development and business success.
He’s known most as the voice and spokesperson for OKDHS. However, behind the scenes, he has led the Department’s OKDHS Quality Awards program for the last five years. The program honors hundreds of OKDHS employees each year for their exceptional individual and team accomplishments to improve Oklahoma Human Services.
To address internal morale challenges in the late 1980s, Johnson developed the OKDHS State Games, a program to promote team building and friendly competition among employees though sporting events and game activities. Today, the OKDHS State Games is the largest employee sporting and games event in government.
Past recipients of the Oklahoma Black Heritage Humanitarian Award include former State Secretary of Social Services and United Nations Delegate, The Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins as well as the Honorable Carolyn Wilson.
###
