The Springfield Urban League Inc. (SUL) announces that effective July 1, 2021, and following the impactful and transformative tenure of Nina M. Harris, Marcus Johnson will be leading the organization as the 7th President & Chief Executive Officer of the 95-year-old community-
based human resources corporation. Johnson served as a trusted advisor to the President & CEO in his role as Quality Assurance Research & Reporting Officer. In that role, Johnson supported both short-and long-term strategic planning goals to advance the mission of the Urban League movement.
“Marcus Johnson is a dynamic professional with demonstrated experience in supporting the complex economic, health and educational challenges in our community,” stated Karen Davis, Chairperson of the Board of Directors. Davis continued, “Over his tenure at the Springfield Urban League, he has
developed programs that enhance community, state, and federal relationships and secured multiple funding streams in alignment with the organization’s strategic goals and the community’s needs.”
Throughout his tenure at the Springfield Urban League, Johnson has raised millions of dollars for the affiliate through grant proposal submission, donations, and sponsorships. In 2018, Marcus received the National Urban League’s Health Leadership Award and has been invited to speak and present annually at the National Urban League Whitney M. Young Leadership Conference. Johnson was recently featured on NPR Illinois Community Voices, where he shared the Urban League’s mission and vision for an empowered and unified community.
“Shouldering the needs of the community as the President & CEO is an honor and challenge, I humbly accept,” said Johnson. “I am committed to leading and working alongside the members of the community to remove barriers and address disparities.
Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the historic Tuskegee University, a master’s degree in Public Health from Southern Illinois University, and is a candidate for his Doctorate in Education from Creighton University. Johnson has served at the Urban League for six years.
