{"id":318,"date":"2023-02-16T21:31:03","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T21:31:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/?page_id=318"},"modified":"2026-02-24T02:59:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T02:59:52","slug":"board-of-directors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/board-of-directors\/","title":{"rendered":"About the GJCAE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Graham Johnson Cultural Arts Endowment (GJCAE) is a family-led nonprofit organization committed to strengthening the Wake Forest community through arts education, public art, and cultural initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Established in memory of Graham Johnson, the Endowment reflects a deep commitment to the transformative power of creativity to build connection, confidence, and vibrant communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In Memory of Graham Johnson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Graham Johnson passed away in 2006 at the age of 15 while a student at Franklin Academy. He lost his life to suicide \u2014 a tragedy that continues to shape our commitment to supporting young people through connection, creativity, and community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Graham\u2019s creativity, curiosity, and generous spirit remain at the heart of this organization. Through GJCAE, his family honors his legacy by supporting programs that foster self-expression, resilience, and belonging for students and the broader community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1022\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_E4431.jpg?resize=1024%2C1022&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-621\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.0019750469675803;width:391px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_E4431.jpg?resize=1024%2C1022&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_E4431.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_E4431.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_E4431.jpg?resize=768%2C767&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_E4431.jpg?w=1125&amp;ssl=1 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We believe the arts create space for young people to discover their voice, build confidence, and experience meaningful connection. At a time when many youth struggle with isolation and mental health challenges, creativity can be a powerful bridge \u2014 offering hope, purpose, and community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through continued investment in arts education and public art, we carry forward a vision grounded in compassion, opportunity, and shared humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By sharing openly about Graham\u2019s life and loss, we hope to help break the silence surrounding youth suicide and encourage conversations that foster understanding and compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Board of Directors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The GJCAE Board of Directors is comprised of members of the Johnson family. As a working board, we are deeply involved in both the strategic direction and day-to-day efforts that support the organization\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Board members serve without compensation and are united by a shared passion for the arts and the Wake Forest community. Together, we organize the annual HerbFest \u2014 the primary fundraising event that fuels the Endowment\u2019s programs and grants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leadership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bob Johnson, Treasurer<br>Co-Founder\/Owner, The Cotton Company<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Elizabeth G. Johnson, President<br>Co-Founder\/Owner, The Cotton Company<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Liz Johnson, Executive Director<br>Owner\/Founder: HireWire Talent<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Janna Johnson, Vice President<br>Senior Product Manager, Nubank<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We believe that thriving communities are built through shared creativity, collaboration, and investment in future generations. We are honored to serve Wake Forest and steward the mission of GJCAE.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Graham Johnson Cultural Arts Endowment (GJCAE) is a family-led nonprofit organization committed to strengthening the Wake Forest community through arts education, public art, and cultural initiatives. Established in memory of Graham Johnson, the Endowment reflects a deep commitment to the transformative power of creativity to build connection, confidence, and vibrant communities. In Memory of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-318","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=318"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/318\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":622,"href":"https:\/\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/318\/revisions\/622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gjcae.org\/creative-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}