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January 9, 2010 ~ 2:30-4:00 PM

Mr. J. Allen Johnson has extensive experience in effectively communicating and representing diversity perspectives and interests, particularly as these relate to the environment. He has facilitated and led dialogue and negotiating on behalf of diverse national and international cultural and ethnic communities and organizations, both large and small. Presently Mr. Johnson is Founder of the Institute of Culture and Environmental Understanding (pronounced “I SEE U”) whose purpose is to create trust between and among differing cultures and Earth.

Formerly serving as the Executive Director of the Race Relations Council of Northwest Indiana, Mr. Johnson provided leadership in developing coalitions to address our Most Challenging Issue “Race Relations” challenging the KKK and other hate groups.  He also served as Executive Director for the Multi-Cultural Center of Greater Green Bay Institute for Cultural Awareness and Cooperation. In 2007,  J. Allen became the First Chair of the then newly created  Environmental Justice Commission, North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE).

Mr. Johnson was the co-chair for the North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE) 30thAnnual National Conference in 2006 and has been a presenter at several conferences and events on topics that highlight the intersection between environmental and cultural and ethnic issues including: “Growing Greener Cities: Symposium on Urban Environmental Issues in the 21stCentury,” University of Pennsylvania, Oct. 2006 and “Inclusiveness in the Environmental Field” at the Washington, D.C. Press Club. His publications include: “Environmental Justice and Environmental Education” (2006) and “What’s Fair Got to Do With It?” (Case Studies in Environment and Diversity, 2000.)  

A fervent impresario, J.  Allen has directed more than thirty productions, among them “Lynching Plays” By Georgia Douglas Johnson, “Tango” by Polish playwright Slawomir Mrozek “Bertha” by Tennesee Williams , “  Shakara” by Nigerian playwright Osounye Tess Onwueme and Cathay Visions  “Empty Cage”: a love story by Hwang Mei inspired by Taoist philosopher Zhuang Zi.

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