North Carolina Central University (NCCU) standout student Lauren Johnson will appear in an upcoming broadcast of the game show “Black College Quiz.” Hosted by comedian and "Steve Harvey Morning Show" co-host Thomas 'Nephew Tommy' Miles, the show brings together historically Black college and university (HBCU) students to demonstrate their expertise in African American history and culture.
“I am truly grateful for this amazing opportunity to meet and network with other students," said Johnson. “I learned a lot about my culture and history that I wasn’t taught in school. I also learned more about myself and developed studying strategies that will improve my academic performance.”
Johnson, a senior environmental, earth, and geospatial sciences major, hailing from Waldorf, Maryland, is not just an academic powerhouse but a multifaceted leader on campus. Her achievements include making the dean’s list and being a member of the Aspiring Eagles Academy and Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society. Johnson is also the president of the Climate Reality Club, vice president of the NCCU Honda Campus All-Star Challenge academic quiz team club and a Spring 2023 initiate of the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Johnson has gained hands-on experience through internships at GlaxoSmithKline and collaborative projects with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, focusing on the North Carolina sector of the U.S. Coast Guard. A dedicated community servant, Lauren volunteers with LifeStyles of Maryland and leads local clean-up and middle school mentorship initiatives in Durham, showcasing her commitment to both local and global causes.
Beyond the game show, Johnson plans to earn a master’s degree at NCCU and subsequently dedicate her career to researching coastline restoration efforts. Her passion for sustainability and community action embodies NCCU's commitment to producing socially conscious leaders.
“I believe in educating others about sustainable practices and using their voices to take action in their communities,” Johnson said.
Johnson was accompanied by faculty member Janice S. Dargan, Ph.D., humanities and anthropology professor, to participate in the taping of the production in Atlanta, Georgia, in early January 2024.
“I was pleased to travel with Lauren and witness her meeting and engaging with like-minded students who showed so much charisma and energy during the demanding challenges of this television production,” said Dargan.
“Black College Quiz” is shown in the Raleigh-Durham area on Bounce TV (40-3) and on Spectrum Digital (1281) at 7 a.m. on Saturday mornings. New episodes will premiere on Feb. 10, 2024.
