Grammy Nominated Gospel Artist Trades the Stage to Support New Academy

Lakisha Johnson is the Founding Director of Campus Operations for Great Hearts Harveston, the first Great Hearts academy to open in Louisiana in August, 2023. As part of the Great Hearts Harveston founding team, she has had the opportunity to start from the beginning and see the academy evolve. “Seeing students and families walk into the building for the first time is going to make my heart smile in knowing that all the hard work the team has put in over the past year was all worth it. I believe Great Hearts Harveston is going to be a great addition to the Baton Rouge community, and I am excited to be afforded the opportunity to assist with that,” she said.

Johnson is excited for this new opportunity for the students and families of Baton Rouge, where she herself was born and raised. She grew up in the communities of Scotlandville and Baker with her two sisters and two brothers. She is the middle child. After graduating from Scotlandville Magnet High School, Johnson started at LSU and successfully completed three years. She left LSU when she got accepted into cosmetology school, which was her passion at the time. “My biggest accomplishment was obtaining my bachelor’s and master’s after years of being self-employed.” After over 20 years of a successful cosmetology career, she completed her undergrad and went on to receive a Bachelor in Technical Management/Accounting from DeVry Universityand a Masters in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University.

Johnson was drawn to her current line of work and the rewards she draws from it. “I enjoy being in the background making things happen for everyone. I love logistics, problem-solving, and creating processes and protocols.”

But she wasn’t always in the background. “I started singing around the age of 6 and was a member of a Grammy-Nominated Gospel Choir, Minister Timothy Britten & Shabach Praise Co.,” she said. “I have graced the stage with many great Gospel artists over the years. My love for music is what encouraged me to get my Master’s in Entertainment Business. For several years, I did artist booking and management for several gospel artists, who are now my family. Working with my two best friends, ParExcel Entertainment was created, which led to many other opportunities in the Gospel Industry.”

Nowadays, her expertise and knowledge of the local school systems are invaluable to the Great Hearts Harveston team. She really connected with the value that Great Hearts places on the servant’s heart. “I always have the desire to help whenever or wherever I can,” she said.

“I see Great Hearts as an opportunity for every scholar in Baton Rouge to have the opportunity to experience learning that is not simply technology based. It reminds me of the type of education I received prior to everything becoming technology based. I was taught how to write in cursive in elementary school, and now students are not given that option. When I saw that as an element with Great Hearts, it made my heart smile to know that our scholars would know how to sign their names when they see a signature line and not just print.”

Johnson has a warmth that can be described as southern charm and she will be the first to tell you that she is a hugger. As a native Louisianian, she said, “We love to Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler.” This is a popular phrase in Louisiana, which is French for ‘let the good times roll.’

Great Hearts Harveston will open in August of 2023 in a newly built campus located in the master-planned community, The Preserve at Harveston, near Bluebonnet & Nicholson at 11801 Bluebonnet Blvd.  They will serve grades K-7 in the opening year and plan to add a grade every year after until they are a full K-12 academy. They are now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. Apply today at https://harveston.greatheartsamerica.org.

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