We Talk Back — “The CEO Mindset”
Podcast: We Talk Back
Hosts: Tam Bam & AJ Holiday (Black Effect & iHeartPodcasts)
Guest: Michael Johnson, CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County
Date: November 6, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode titled "The CEO Mindset," Tam Bam & AJ Holiday interview Michael Johnson, the dynamic CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County, Madison, Wisconsin. With humor, authenticity and real-life advice, the conversation dives into the perspectives, mindsets, and adversities that shape successful Black leadership — particularly in nonprofit spaces. Michael shares personal journeys from Chicago's tough West Side to the C-suite, offering lessons on resilience, leadership, love, and the challenge of being a Black CEO in America.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Opening & Urgency in Community Support ([03:33])
- Tam Bam highlights a crisis in Jamaica following natural disasters, asking listeners for donations or supplies to support a Black single mother and her children.
- Quote:
“If y’all can sacrifice even just a couple dollars to help this Black family right before the holidays, I would appreciate it. All right. I love y’all.” – Tam Bam [05:52]
Meet the Guest: Michael Johnson ([10:01])
- Background: CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County (Madison, WI), originally from Chicago. Has lived/worked in several major U.S. cities.
- Community: Madison’s Black community is small (~6% population) but "tight-nit and well represented."
- Celebrity Fundraising: Annual “all white” parties (Black folks dressed in white attire; not just for white people), where celebrities like Lorenz Tate, Gladys Knight, and Drew Hill attend, raising money for children’s programs.
Roots & Motivation: From the Boys and Girls Club to CEO ([13:43])
- Personal Story:
- Grew up poor on Chicago's West Side, couldn't read or write as a child.
- Boys and Girls Clubs played a huge role: gave him after-school safety, support (even paid for his mother’s funeral).
- Eventually earned MBA, studied at Cornell and Harvard.
- Quote:
"Today I run a multi-million dollar nonprofit organization in Madison, Wisconsin." – Michael Johnson [14:04]
The Book: "The Audacity to Lead" ([14:35])
- Themes: Seven Mindset Lessons on Love, Family, and Turning Adversity into Impact. Subtitle: “From the Projects to the C-Suite.”
- Stories Include:
- Personal adversity (illiteracy, racism, losing money).
- Fundraising for high-profile cases (Ahmaud Arbery, Michael Brown).
- Building first statue of Black woman (Vel R. Phillips) at a U.S. state capitol after young activists challenged him.
- Quote:
“I’ve raised $250 million over the last 25 years in multiple cities...” – Michael Johnson [15:07]
Mindset Lessons & Keys to Success
1. The Urgency of Now ([18:18])
- Advice: "Do it now. Start where you are." (Stop waiting for 'tomorrow' or 'Monday')
- Metaphor: Life’s a marathon, not a sprint. “You won’t hit a grand slam every day, but swing the bat.”
- “Write out what it is you want to accomplish and take one step at a time.” – Michael Johnson [21:16]
2. Expanding Horizons ([18:29])
- Surround yourself with role models and believe in a bigger vision for your life.
3. The Academy of Adversity ([25:46])
- Forging tragedy into power.
- Personal stories of racism (coaches dressing as KKK at his university), being broke after a windfall, contemplating suicide, and rebuilding through education and persistence.
- "I didn’t earn that money, so I didn’t respect it." – Michael Johnson [33:08]
4. Growth through Courage ([39:11])
- Embrace acting, committing to lifelong learning.
- “Grit transforms tough times into turning points.”
5. The Unbreakable Spirit & Strategic Connections ([39:15], [40:33])
- You cannot do this alone; build teams and networks.
- Value is not just in your immediate circle but in learning from everyone: “From GEDs to PhDs, and everything in between.”
6. Building Sustainable Legacy ([41:20])
- Fundraising and legacy-building: Don’t rely on “fish fry dinners” — raise endowments and sizable donations to sustain your mission.
- "Without margin, there’s no mission.” – Michael Johnson [41:20]
7. The Power of Partnerships, Love & Balance ([50:58])
- Marrying the right partner: Michael credits his wife’s standards for redirecting his life (“she ran my credit, made me take a health exam, and told me to go back to school!”).
- “Love is about building together, not behind but side by side.” – Michael Johnson [53:25]
- Real leadership includes honoring your spouse and understanding marriage can multiply generational wealth.
On Leadership & Nonprofits
Addressing Nonprofit Salary Stigma ([46:18])
- Calls for pay equity: “Pay me what my white counterparts make, no more, no less. Let my performance speak.”
- Good leadership is about supporting your entire team, not just the CEO.
- Employees at BGCDC can take four-month paid sabbaticals after 5 years and are benchmarked for competitive pay.
Advice to Aspiring Leaders ([55:29])
- Marriage can increase net worth (“Married couples make 14% more net worth than singles.”).
- “You gotta find the right partner that you are equally yoked with to get ahead.” – Michael Johnson [55:25]
- There’s always a balance: Don’t work so hard for money that you lose your family or your health.
“Rapid Fire” Leadership Questions ([58:52])
- Audacity or faith?
- “Faith. I am a man of faith...I know the only reason I’m standing here today is because there’s a God.” – Michael Johnson [59:08]
- Leading or following, which is harder?
- Both are necessary; leaders must know how to follow and pour into others.
- Leadership lesson learned the hard way?
- Acting too fast, not listening or understanding before making changes can backfire.
- Story: His quick changes caused a third of staff to quit early in his Madison tenure. Learning to seek understanding first is key. [62:31]
- What would you tell your younger self?
- Find mentors earlier, make better choices before meeting his now-wife.
- Definition of Success:
- Health and family well-being, impactful work, and maintaining health as a priority.
Fundraising Masterclass ([42:51], [44:48])
- Don't be afraid to ask big (secured $35 million for new BGCDC building in 16 months).
- Network with high-value donors by communicating a clear vision.
- Quote:
“I got on a Zoom call with [donor], and three days later, we had $5 million sitting in our bank account.” – Michael Johnson [44:45]
- Quote:
Marriage & Wealth-building ([53:51])
- “There is value for men in marriage … Just our presence might bring the bag for you.” – AJ [55:32]
- Marriage isn’t just financial — also brings health and stability for Black men, “men are genuinely healthier when married.”
Giving Back & Staying Grounded ([86:40])
- Michael values his roots, keeps ties with community mentors and “nontraditional” friends to stay grounded and effective.
- "Sometimes you got to reach back." – Michael Johnson [88:15]
- Practical generosity: From buying cars for families to tipping restaurant workers thousands, BGCDC’s giving spirit is active and inclusive, not just internal.
Memorable & Lighthearted Moments
- Credit Checks for Love:
- Michael’s wife required credit, health, and ambition before taking him seriously ([34:05])
- “She told me I couldn’t buy a bag of potato chips on credit…” – Michael Johnson
- "SIMP Story":
- In a lighter segment, Michael confesses he was emotionally hurt when his now-wife went to see her ex (“her hair was a mess when she came back…”) and used that pain as motivation to get serious ([80:16]).
- Future Dreams:
- He’s not chasing yachts, but interested in building generational wealth and lifting his family out of poverty through education and opportunity.
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- “Write out what it is you want to accomplish and take one step at a time.” – Michael Johnson [21:16]
- "Without margin, there's no mission.” – Michael Johnson [41:20]
- "Pay me what my white counterparts make, pay me no more, pay me no less. Let my performance speak for itself.” – Michael Johnson [46:57]
- "Love is about building together, not behind but side by side.” – Michael Johnson [53:25]
- “Married couples make 14% more in their net worth than those who are not married.” – Michael Johnson [54:05]
- "Sometimes you got to reach back." – Michael Johnson [88:15]
Actionable Advice for Listeners
What is the bold first step to leading with audacity?
“Self reflection, introspective work…You can't pour into your future until you realize what's going on with you right now in the moment.” – Michael Johnson [84:05]
How to Support / Get Involved
- Website: bgcdc.org — Donate, sponsor a youth, join a community initiative
- Book: "The Audacity to Lead" by Michael Johnson — available on Amazon (money-back guarantee!)
- Personal: mjohnsonceo.com — Learn more, watch Michael's talks, get leadership resources
Final Reflections
This episode stands out as a blueprint for anyone – but especially Black listeners – seeking to lead audaciously while staying true to their roots. Michael Johnson exemplifies building legacy with love, strategic thinking, and community focus. Tam Bam and AJ bring signature wit and warmth, making complex issues relatable, actionable, and fun.
Listen & Subscribe:
We Talk Back drops new episodes Thursdays via Black Effect & iHeartRadio
Instagram: @officialtambam | @ajholiday2.0
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