Interview with Mr. Johnny Edwards

Interview with Mr. Johnny Edwards

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Interviewers

JB Brown

Description

Mr. Johnny Edwards is the Superintendent of Portage Public Schools.  A long time educator and former Assistant Superintendent, he was named Superintendent in May 2025.  In his discussion with JB Brown, Mr. Edwards covers the following topics:

  • Early life and growing up in Saginaw, Michigan; Experiencing college life at Michigan State University; Being “tapped” to lead;
  • Classroom experiences as a math teacher and lessons on the court as basketball coach;
  • Living out his mission as “Improving the lives of young people through the power of education”;
  • Impacts of transitioning from teaching in the classroom to eventually becoming an Assistant Superintendent administration;
  • Stepping into the role of Superintendent of Portage Public Schools and what is has meant both personally and professionally;
  • A day in the life of a Superintendent, and the importance of listening and being visible;
  • Having a career of firsts, and what he hopes students can see when they look at his own journey;
  • The Black men, including his own father Johnny Edwards Sr. who have modeled what successful leadership looks like.

Date of Interview

1-29-2026

Location of Interview

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Series

Black Men Leading

Keywords

Black men in leadership, Higher Education Leadership, K-12 Education

Disciplines

African American Studies | Educational Leadership | Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration | Oral History | Public History

Language

English

Document Type

Interview

Length of video

01:07:46

Length of video log

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Interview with Mr. Johnny Edwards

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