N.C. A&T Alumnus Impacts the Lives of Students through Scholarship Program
Every four years, Andre Johnson ‘97 provides an opportunity of a lifetime for high school students interested in pursuing a career in architectural engineering. His firm, Andre Johnson Architect, offers two students a scholarship to participate in a program that allows them to shadow professionals in the company for their senior year in high school and a paid summer internship over a span of four years while they are enrolled in college. At the end of the program, students have a potential opportunity to gain full employment with the firm.
“I decided to start the scholarship program at my company because I wanted to increase diversity in the field of architecture,” said Johnson. “With this opportunity, we are giving students a leg up in the profession and a resume of four years of experience before they even graduate from college.”
Growing up in Durham, N.C., Johnson knew at the age of 14 that he wanted to be an engineer.
“When I was a freshman in high school, my drafting teacher saw potential in me because of my passion of putting things together and my love for art. He was the first person to actually encourage me to do my research on architecture and his suggestion has benefited my career greatly,” said Johnson.
In 1997, Johnson received his bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. After graduating from college, he immediately enrolled in Morgan State University to receive his master’s degree in architecture engineering in 1999.
“I knew that I didn’t want to hinder my process of working in this industry, so I pursued my master’s degree,” he said. “While attending Morgan State, I also started working at my first job for one of my professors doing 30 hours a week.”
From 1999 to 2013, Johnson worked at various architecture firms in Baltimore, Maryland and eventually relocated to the Triangle area in Raleigh, N.C. In the midst of his career, he became an ordained minister in 2004, and is currently the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Franklinton, N.C.
“However, in 2013 is when things changed in my career, I started a new job and even though it was a great position with a great firm, it wasn’t a good fit for me,” he said. “I am a man of faith and I felt it was my time to jump into entrepreneurship even though the odds were against me.”
In February 2014, Johnson incorporated his firm, Andre Johnson Architect, a design studio located in Raleigh that is comprised of six professionals who work with public and private clients in a variety of projects. The company offers the following services in architecture, interior architecture, master planning, feasibility study, construction administration and 3D visualization. In the first two years of business, the company won six design awards from the American Institute of Architects at the local, state and regional levels.
“Over the past couple of years, we have worked with clients such as North Carolina A&T and Duke University that has really garnered us an amazing reputation for design and client excellence,” he said. “And with that, I always tell people how good God has been to my company by sharing my favorite scripture, ‘Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise will continually be in my mouth.’”
“I am very fortunate personally and professionally for my success, and I am grateful for my wife and four children, family, friends and colleagues that have supported me along this journey.”
In the future, Johnson plans to expand the company to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and increase the impact of his program by growing it to four students every four years.
For more information about Andre Johnson Architect, please visit www.andrejohnsonarchitect.com.
