Jackson College

(December 12, 2025 4:48 PM ET) Jackson College announced today that James Johnson Jr. has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Service Award, recognizing his outstanding commitment to equity, community service, and advocacy for working families throughout Jackson County. Johnson was born in Chicago and moved to Jackson at age 8, growing up in Kings Community Homes. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1997 and went on to build a distinguished 25-year career as an electrician. Today, he serves as the business agent for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), representing workers across Jackson County. In this role, he oversees political engagement, job-site issues, recruiting, pre-apprenticeship programs, donations, public events, and community service initiatives. Deeply committed to service, Johnson has held leadership roles with the United Way — where he is a past board chair and continues to serve — as well as the Skilled Trades Task Force and multiple City of Jackson commissions. His efforts have strengthened community programs, expanded opportunities in the skilled trades, and ensured more equitable access to resources for local residents. Johnson shared that he was “floored” when he received the news of the award. “I’m…