99-028 (Henry Johnson)
Distributed October 1, 1999
For Immediate Release
News Service Contact: Janet Kerlin



Johnson named director of Equal Employment, Affirmative Action

Henry V. Johnson has begun his duties as Brown’s new director of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action. He held a similar title at Lifespan, the non-profit hospital network.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Henry V. Johnson Jr. has been named director of Brown University’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action.

Johnson comes to Brown from Lifespan, where he served as director of affirmative action. Before joining Lifespan in 1996, Johnson was executive director of the Rhode Island Urban Project, a private association established in 1973 to focus on the issues and concerns of Rhode Island’s minority population.

Johnson holds leadership roles and memberships in many public service and civic organizations. He is vice chairman of the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation, the state’s principal housing agency, and served on its board for seven years. He serves on the board of the Urban League of Rhode Island and is chairman of the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Minority Health Advisory Committee.

Johnson is the recipient of several awards, including the Rhode Island Minority Business Advocate of the Year Award, the Community Service Award from the Urban League of Rhode Island, and the Honorary Alumni Award from the University of Rhode Island.

Johnson, a resident of East Providence, began his duties at Brown on Sept. 27.

The major areas of responsibility of Brown’s EEO/AA office are affirmative action for women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and Vietnam Era veterans; equal employment opportunity; sexual harassment prevention; disability management; diversity management and training complaint resolution.

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