I have known David for about twenty-five years. During that period of time, I continue to be impressed and amazed with how he uses his God-given gifts and talents. There are some people blessed with the gift of singing, still others are blessed with the gift of public speaking and preaching. Then there are others blessed with the gift of reciting famous speeches, poems and liturgy, David Johnson is blessed with all of the above. When he sings, he sings with power and conviction. When he delivers Dr. Martin Luther King’s speeches, you feel like he is Dr. King reincarnated. When he speaks to youth and young adults, they are moved, motivated and blessed. David has a strong testimony and a personal story to tell and he tells it very well.

On behalf of the students and teachers at Grant High School, thank you David Johnson for caring enough about the next generation of leaders to share your words of encouragement and wisdom. Your presentations to the students were a definite hit! The teachers and students are still talking about how your message resonated with them. Your engaging style and timely message scored high marks with both the students and the teachers. Additionally, I’d like to thank you on behalf of the Bureau of Land and Management, the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Reclamation for your recent keynote participation at our Martin Luther King’s Observance. Our planning committee received numerous comments from employees who noted your professionalism, sense of humor and remarkable ability to bring Dr. King’s inspirational words to life! One of our employees was so motivated by your speech that she and seven of her family members marched in Sacramento’s Martin Luther King’s March for the first time!

David Johnson’s representation of Martin Luther King, Jr. had the effect of bringing a generation of university students that viewed the 1960’s as an ancient history, to experience the Civil Rights struggle in a fresh and contemporary way.

David Johnson’s presentation is outstanding and it’s delivery gripping with its impact. He made a lasting impression on the students of Oakwood University.

As a minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and Vice President of the Student Life, I have the privilege of knowing David Johnson for over 25 years. He has always stood out for his gifted ability of sharing Dr. Martin Luther King’s speeches, musical talent, and his humble and gentle manner of dealing with students and parishioners of all ages. I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the power of his gift upon various communities: churches, conference officials, youth conventions, and mostly recently as the Diversity speaker for our university campus. “I would describe him as someone who is: dedicated, organized, committed to his ministry, disciplined in his craft, and a gifted young adult.

David Anthony Johnson gave a chapel talk two months ago when he visited the 10th Street Seventh-day Adventist Church in Oklahoma City to speak for their Black History Month program. Our students were so impressed that they asked him to come back again. We invited him back to run a week of prayer for our students and they were greatly blessed. He conducted a total of 13 meetings in seven days. His oratory skills, acting skills and singing talent made him connect well with our student. The same was true with our younger (pre-K through 6th) as well as our (7 through 12) students. He spoke separately to pre-K through sixth grade at 8:15 am then grades seven through 12 at 9:05 am. He was able to captivate their attention for about an hour each day from Monday through Friday. He also held 3 meetings on the weekend for us. He preached for vespers on Friday night and did a mini concert on Saturday night for about an hour each. He was invited to preach the Central Seventh-day Adventist Church for Sabbath morning which we thoroughly enjoyed. God has blessed him with talents and experiences that he has a passion to share with young people. You will not be disappointed if you invest in his ministry to young people.

Mr. Johnson has an undeniable gift that causes audiences everywhere to reflect on one of the greatest men of our nation’s past—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I was fortunate enough to utilize Mr. Johnson’s gift while serving as the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion at Virginia Polytechnic and State University (Virginia Tech). Mr. Johnson recited Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and not only set the tone as he opened for Dr. Maya Angelou, he ignited a crowd of 4,000 people and received the first standing ovation that I had seen in my 5 year history of coordinating that event. I was so impressed with Mr. Johnson’s oratorical skills and his professional demeanor that as the Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), I contracted with him to participate in my institution’s Expression of King’s Legacy event. Mr. Johnson opened for the incomparable Nikki Giovanni and once again set an incredible tone for the event that allowed everyone in attendance to open his or her hearts and minds to receive poet Giovanni’s message. I have never heard anyone duplicate Martin Luther King’s intonations with precision of a surgeon in the manner Mr. Johnson does.

I am pleased to recommend one of the best American guests I have experienced on our shores(South Africa). Pastor David Johnson came to South Africa, Johannesburg in December 2018 for an evangelistic Crusade. It is safe to say the man engaged and assimilated in our environment like he was born here. He went out of his way to interact with locals, learning our culture, language, politics and many other aspects of our rich country. To whoever this letter is addressed, I am proud to say the man is an asset. I may not know his heart but we witnessed his hands and attitude. May he be blessed as well the environment which God will lead him to. What a messenger of the Lord! I personally wish he was serving in our country, we would definitely benefit.