Andre Johnson was recently promoted to Vice President of Business Development for Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE). In this new role, he will be responsible for taking current relationships and partnerships and growing them to build/enhance future business opportunities by assessing and understanding the marketplace, prioritizing market segments for development, identifying new business opportunities and analyzing their feasibility and facilitating the successful execution of business development initiatives.
Prior to Andre’s current role, he was Manager of Business Development for MJE. He was instrumental in managing the daily operations of the Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund. He assisted in the selection and implementation of new real estate projects and helped to grow the existing portfolio of 31 investments across the nation. The Fund is committed to fostering and providing economic opportunities for the residents of urban neighborhoods and has created approximately 9,000 construction jobs and 4,500 permanent jobs by placing an emphasis on community hiring. With nearly $1 billion in committed capital, the Fund is positioned to facilitate over $4 billion in development and revitalization in major U.S. metropolitan markets.
Prior to joining Magic Johnson Enterprises, Andre served as an Artist and Repertoire (A&R) Representative for Elektra Records. He was responsible for coordinating video shoots, overseeing studio sessions, budgeting, marketing and promotions for artists and albums. He worked with some of the music industry’s hottest artists including Jay Z, Gwen Stefani and Missy Elliott.
Mr. Johnson has been featured in over 30 magazines and television programs including Black Enterprise, Azteca America, ESPN2 and Access Hollywood. He appeared on the cover of LA Focus as one of the young, rising African American businessmen in Los Angeles. Andre recently became the Vice Chair of the honorary committee for the Los Angeles Minority Business Opportunity Center (LA MBOC) under the direction of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The committee empowers small minority-owned businesses to earn contracts on public and private sector projects. In recognition of his commitment to minority business development and opportunities for youth, Mr. Johnson was awarded the Penny Lane Blue Skies Award for Minority Community Development Advocacy and The City Refuge Youth Empowerment Award.
Mr. Johnson holds an Associate’s Degree from Santa Monica College.