Dr. Umar Johnson (born on the 21 August 1974) is an American motivational speaker, psychologist, activist, and social media personality.

He is known for standing with the people of the black community.

He had been in the headlines for his fundraising controversy. People were accusing him of frauding with their donated amount.

Who is Dr. Umar Johnson?

dr umar johnson photo

Dr. Umar Johnson is an American psychologist and activist known for his advocacy in the African-American community. 

He gained attention for his views on issues such as education, mental health, and social justice, particularly concerning the well-being of African Americans.

Dr. Umar Johnson has also been a public speaker and has expressed controversial opinions on topics related to race and identity.

His work has sparked debates and discussions in both academic and public spheres.

Why is Dr. Umar Johnson Famous?

Umar Johnson, popularly referred to as the “Prince of Pan-Africanism,” is a doctor of clinical psychology and a certified school psychologist.

He is the author of Psycho-Academic Holocaust: The Special Education and ADHD Wars Against Black Boys.

Where Is Dr. Umar Johnson From?

Dr. Umar Johnson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 21st, 1974.

He is an American by nationality and an African-American by ethnicity.

Early Life of Dr. Umar Johnson

dr umar johnson photo

Dr. Umar Johnson was born on 21 August 1974 in North Central, Philadelphia, United States.

Johnson was born to a wealthy family, and he grew up in his hometown. Johnson’s parents gave him an average upbringing that made him quite strong and brave.

His father, Jamal Abdullah Johnson, has worked as a drill instructor in the U.S. Marine Corps, and his mother’s name is Barbara Shoemake.

Dr. Umar holds American nationality, and his ethnicity is black; Dr. Umar’s zodiac sign is Leo.

However, Dr. Umar real name was Jermaine Shoemake given by his mother, but later his name was changed to Umar Rashad Ibn Abdullah-Johnson as his father belonged to a Muslim lineage.

Dr. Umar Johnson Age

Dr. Umar Johnson is 49 years old as of 2023 as he was born on the 21 August 1974. He is near his 50s and still looks young.

That’s because of his physical maintenance for which he seems conscious.

Dr. Umar Johnson Education

Dr. Umar Johnson got his primary school education at a local school in the city and later in the defunct Scotland School for Veteran’s Children in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Umar Johnson’s degrees are numerous. He pursued his higher education at Millersville University and Hahnemann University, both in Philadelphia.

Where Does Dr. Umar Johnson Live?

Dr. Umar Johnson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 21st, 1974. He also lives in Philadelphia.

His name was originally Jermaine Shoemake but after his divorced father converted to Islam, he reportedly changed Johnson’s name.

Does Dr. Umar Johnson Have A School?

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Yes, Dr. Umar Johnson has a school.

In June 2014, Johnson said he would raise $5 million to buy the former campus of Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, which had closed down in 2013 due to financial struggles.

He said he would rename it to Frederick Douglass Marcus Garvey Academy, which he said would be a boarding school for Black boys.

Umar claimed to have sufficient funds to buy the Saint Paul’s site in 2014 but did not do so. In 2015, he claimed that he would open the school the following year.

Charing Ball, writing in the online magazine ‘MadameNoire’, discouraged donations for the project, citing Johnson’s “homophobic and misogynistic” commentary in YouTube videos.

Raising Funds for the School

In 2015, he opened a GoFundMe to raise money to “acquire and rehabilitate” either the former Saint Paul’s or Chamberlain-Hunt Academy in Port Gibson, Mississippi.

In 2017, The Root criticized Johnson for failing to provide financial documentation demonstrating whether he actually used any of the funds for the school.

Although Johnson claimed to have applied for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit status in 2015, there was no record of an application with the IRS as of 2017.

In 2019, a Root commentator criticized Johnson for never providing a business plan, obtaining a license, publishing receipts, or taking other steps toward the construction of the school.

Despite Johnson’s claim in 2017 to have raised $400,000 or $700,000 for the school, it seems no adequate steps are taken toward its completion.

In April 2021, Johnson stated that the school had completed construction but was not ready for classes.

Where is Dr. Umar Johnson School?

Dr. Umar’s school for Black boys is in Delaware. Construction on the Frederick Douglass Marcus Garvey Academy has been completed, Johnson recently confirmed.

But it is still not open for use due to some persisting challenges, to be soon resolved.

What Happened To Dr. Umar Johnson School?

Speaking about the school he wants to open up in Delaware, Dr. Umar Johnson says they originally wanted $2 million for the building but after a few years of negotiation, they finally sold it to him for the USD 500,000 he originally offered.

Unfortunately, for the past three years, he’s been having a hard time finding honest contractors to fix up the building. He states this is why his long-promised school has yet to open its doors to the public.

“Contractors were not kind to us. They ripped us off, scammed us and they stole out of the building… The ‘con’ in a contractor is real.”

It wasn’t until he decided to go with white contractors that they got the school to “the finish line.”

Is Dr. Umar Johnson School Open?

The school is not open yet. Umar has cited various reasons for the same like insufficient funds, and dishonest contractors, among other reasons.

Dr. Umar Johnson Wife

Dr. Umar Johnson has been married to two sister-wives on 15 September 2021. It’s very sad to see that he has not built the school yet, however, he has already got married to two women.

The marriage took place at an anonymous place and people got to know through his Instagram Live.

Overall, the identity of Dr. Umar Johnson’s wives are yet to be revealed by him.

Dr. Umar Johnson Net Worth

Dr. Umar Johnson estimated net worth is $2 million as of the year 2023. H has made this huge amount through his different earning sources.

Back in 2022, his total wealth was standing around $1.5 million. but now, he has reached the $2 million mark with the help of his $500,000 USD annual salary.

Overall, Dr. Johnson makes a nice amount for his living.

 What Is Dr. Umar Johnson Doing Now?

For the past few years, Johnson has been raising money to build his new school, The Frederick Douglass and Marcus Garvey RBG International Leadership Academy for Boys in Philadelphia, PA.

He said the school will be the first residential academy for Black boys founded upon the principles of pan-Afrikanism and international economics.

Dr. Umar Johnson Height

Dr. Umar stands at a height of 6 inches 3 feet which is equal to 191 cm or 1.91 m.  His average weight is nearly 90 Kg which is equal to 198 lbs.

Apart from this, if we talk about his other physical attributes, Dr. Umar has black eyes with black hair.

Facts About Dr. Umar Johnson

  • Dr. Umar Johnson is an American motivational speaker, psychologist, and activist.
  • He’s known for supporting the black community.
  • He faced controversy over fundraising and accusations of fraud.
  • Umar is a psychologist and advocate for African Americans.
  • He’s called the “Prince of Pan-Africanism.”
  • He’s the author of books about education and ADHD.
  • Umar was born in Philadelphia in 1974.
  • His parents gave him an average upbringing.
  • He has American nationality and a Muslim-influenced name.
  • Umar is 49 years old in 2023 and lives in Philadelphia.

Hope you enjoyed this article. Share with us your honest feedback in the comments section below.

We will soon be back with a new and interesting personality.

Next Read: Jim Rohn Biography

5 Comments

  1. I think his intentions & heart are in the right place. We have to be more transparent, ex. Raising 5 million. But spent 400,000 on the school. I’m from Wilmington, I must say the school is in a rough neighborhood… Time will tell

  2. There’s some errors in this report on Dr. Umar Johnson and allow me to clear it up:

    1) His mother’s name is Barbara Shoemake not Jermaine, which was Umar’s birth name before his dad decided to change it.
    2) Umar had a good childhood and was well fed, neat, and clean.

    How do I know? I went to middle school with him.

    • nextbiography editor Reply

      Thank You, Mr!
      We really appreciate your efforts in making this biography accurate. We would not regret it if you have more information about this man.

  3. AfroWitchery Reply

    I think Umar Johnson is a fraud. Where does he teach? All I see him doing is doing your guidance, seminar, and motivation speaking. Where is he in a classroom teaching? Where is his model family, and school? He has no money to get the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work completed? Embarrassing.

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