by Floyd Ivy, Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Joshua Johnson had mentors as he was growing up in Memphis. Now, he’s getting a chance to pay it forward.
“To be a mentor gives me the opportunity to give back to the city that has given so much to me,’’ said Johnson, a musician who goes by the stage name Jai Musiq.
Johnson has been a mentor to many ever since he walked the halls of Central High School.
“Growing up, I had a good number of people to look up to and model myself after, so to be that person for the youth of Memphis means the world to me,” he said.
Johnson found his mentors in many organizations, and they helped influence his academic and music careers. He acknowledges the Mulherin twins, a Kappa League mentor called “Coop,” and DJ MemVille in Bridgeport Builders. “All of them had a hand in me becoming who I am today,” Johnson said.
By having these influences, Johnson is now able to be a positive role model to upcoming youth.
In addition to making music, he is currently working as a youth specialist for the city’s Memphis Ambassadors Program (MAP), where he mentors youth. He not only acts as a specialist to the teens, he’s become like a big brother figure for them.
“I work with students grades 9-12 and teach them life skills, professional and personal development and college readiness, basically,” he said.
His mentees appreciate his influence.
“Joshua Johnson, known as Jai Musiq, was a huge impact in my musical upbringing,” said Timothy Paul Walker, now at Jackson State University after graduating from Central High. “During high school, we were members of the band and choral program. He was a huge influence in how I play percussion and sing.
“Last summer, I felt honored to sing with Jai Musiq for the Bridge Builders YOUnified event,” Walker said. “It was an awesome experience performing with him and I hope to share the stage again in the near future.”
Johnson doesn’t take his role as a mentor lightly. When young freshmen joined the band’s drumline during his senior year, it was the beginning of guiding those behind him.
“That was really the start of me reaching back”, he said. “I felt it was my job to help steer (them) in the right direction just like other people had done for me. I wanted to be sure that I set a good example not only in the band room but also in the classroom and beyond in life.”
His advice to young people?
“My main advice to high school and college students would be to figure out who you are and stick to that,” Johnson said. “No matter what anyone else may think, do or say, you have one life to live and only one person to live it for.
“Do what makes you happy because your happiness is the only happiness you can control.”
