ANDREW YANG HIRES FIRST STAFF IN SC

Columbia, SC — Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang has hired Dr. Jermaine Johnson Sr. as his first staff member in the state of South Carolina. The move marks Yang's first strategic play into SC, where the campaign believes they have a strong message for the predominantly African American Democratic community. “The Freedom Dividend would go much further with communities of color and in rural areas,” stated Yang at an event in Hopkins. “$1,000 per month would be a game changer for many low-income communities in South Carolina.”

Dr. Jermaine L. Johnson Sr. is a local businessman and founder of the New Economic Beginnings Foundation Inc., a non-profit workforce development organization that offers job and life skills training to under-served communities in Richland County, SC. In addition to New Economic Beginnings, Jermaine is the owner of Dream Team Consulting LLC and an Adjunct Professor at Webster University. Dr. Johnson earned a Master of Science degree with a concentration in Project Management in 2014 and a Doctorate of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership in 2018 from North Central University. Prior to his business career, Jermaine attended the College of Charleston where he was a 4-year Letterman and team captain for the men’s basketball team. He graduated in 2008 with a major in communications and a minor in theater and was subsequently drafted to the NBA D-League’s Reno Bighorns. Post-graduation, Jermaine played professional basketball abroad in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Portugal.

In a statement Dr. Johnson wrote:

“To be joining the Yang campaign is surreal. I began listening and researching Andrew in 2018 and I began singing his praises to anyone who would listen. I believe in him and what he is saying. I believe he is exactly what America needs. For me, this is more than a job, this is to secure a better America for my grandchildren.”

Dr. Johnson's current affiliations include:

• Jim Clyburn Fellow

• Vice-chair of the Young Democrats of the Central Midlands

• Young Democrats of South Carolina Member

• 3rd Vice-chair of the Richland County Democratic Party

• SC Democratic Black Caucus Member

• Richland County Recreation Commission Board Member

• Richland County Recreation Foundation Board Member

He is married to Dr. Evan Patrice Johnson and has two children, Jermaine Johnson Jr. and Khloe Johnson. He is a member of the Lower Richland Community where he attends St. John's Baptist Church in Hopkins, SC, with the Reverend Sammy Wade presiding.