Devonric Johnson – TEDxSMU 2013
Devonric (DD) Johnson was born in Dallas, Texas on April 12, 1980. DD lived with his great Aunt, Mary Holloway until the age of 13. While living with his Aunt he endured an unbelievable hardship of severe poor living conditions which ultimately lead to him living on the street. Although his home life was in turmoil he was always an “A” student. While running the streets he eventually become part of gang and came very close to being locked up in the Texas Youth Correctional Facility until he was 18, when one of football teammates, Sterling, reached out and convinced his parents, Charlie and Jamie Harris of Terrell, TX, a small town east of Dallas, to adopt him. Under the care of the Harris’s he became a model citizen and student. He was on the National Honor Society, Who’s Who Among American High School Students, President of Peer Mediation Group, Vice President of student body, had all honor classes and took college credits at the local community college. Devonric not only excelled in the classroom but also in athletics. He was the Captain of the football team, All-District All-Area, All-State, and an All-American. He graduated from Terrell High School in the top 5% of his class in 1999 and earned a full football scholarship to Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX).
While at SMU, Devonric suffered a career ending injury while playing football. This gave him the time to become a very active theatre arts participant in the SMU Meadows Theatre School. During this time he got scouted for modeling which he pursued together with acting. Devonric graduated from SMU with a Bachelors of Art in Economics and Finance and chose a career in the entertainment industry while making it a priority to volunteer for community programs. The Boys and Girls Club of Dallas, YMCA of Dallas, Jonathan’s Place Emergency Shelter, the Fashion Lab for the New Orleans Center of Creative Arts, Inspired Steps and Discovery are the programs that have given him the opportunity to give back to the community. These outlets fuel his passion for helping others while always reminding him of where he came from and how other people reached to give him a chance to succeed in life.