What began for Mario Johnson as a relatively small idea is now a big idea and one that he hopes will be beneficial to the Troy community at large rather than just to a small group of young men.

Johnson is a member of a Troy University group of 101 Elite Men, which he said hasn’t reached that lofty number yet but is well on the way.

“What 101 Elite Men does is mentor young men and I thought, who better to mentor young men than Dr. Umar Johnson. I have heard him speak and every time I was both inspired and motivated by his words,” Johnson said. “My first thought was to invite Dr. Johnson to speak to our group of young men. Then, I realized that his message is one that would be beneficial to men and women of all ages. So, I decided to invite Dr. Johnson to Troy University and make this opportunity available and free to the public.”

Mario Johnson will sponsor Dr. Umar Johnson in “A Word To Be Heard” at 7 p.m. Thursday at Sartain Hall on the campus of Troy University.

“Everyone is encouraged to attend this powerful event,” Johnson said. “Dr. Umar Johnson is a certified school psychologist who practices privately in Pennsylvania and lectures around the country. He is a blood relative of Frederick Douglas, who was a great Black abolitionist and speaker.”

Johnson said Dr. Johnson is considered an expert on learning disabilities and their effect on African-American children.

“He is also an expert on helping schools and parents modify behaviors that can lead to disruptive behavior diagnoses in African-American boys,” Johnson said. “But Dr. Johnson has a message for everyone. Those who come will benefit from having attended. Every time I have heard Dr. Johnson it has been a worthwhile experience. He is a psychologist and an activist. He is a voice that needs to be heard and one that can make a difference in the lives of so many.”

Johnson said also on the program with a spoken word event will be the president of the Troy University campus NAACP and music by the Troy University Gospel Choir and by Trojan singer Shelia Jackson.

The doors to Sartain Hall will open at 6 p.m. Thursday and the program will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free.