Alex Johnson New Executive Director of the Children's Defense Fund - California

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) is pleased to announce that Alex Johnson has joined CDF-California as Executive Director. Johnson brings to CDF-CA a powerful combination of extensive policy experience on behalf of children and youth, strong partnerships with community-based organizations and elected officials, and a passion for making a difference in the lives of California's children. Johnson previously served as Assistant Senior Deputy for Education and Public Safety for the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

"We are thrilled to welcome Alex to CDF and excited to have him lead us forward in California," said Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children's Defense Fund. "He has been a strong and committed partner in our CDF Freedom Schools^® expansion in Los Angeles County over the past four years and we are particularly thrilled with the progress of CDF Freedom Schools in the five secure juvenile detention centers. With Alex at the helm of our California office, we will not miss a beat in our critical work to dismantle the Cradle to Prison Pipeline™ which leaves a Black boy born in 2001 with a one in three chance of going to prison in his lifetime and a Latino boy a one in six chance of the same fate, and in our work to ensure all of California's children have the opportunity to thrive and succeed."

As a senior policy advisor for Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Johnson developed and implemented key education and public safety policy priorities and initiatives, including ensuring continued access to high-quality universal preschool in Los Angeles County and reforming the County's juvenile justice system. Johnson played a crucial role in expanding the CDF Freedom Schools summer literacy and enrichment program in Los Angeles, including successful implementation of a pilot program in two juvenile probation camps in 2013 and expansion to five secure facilities this year.

"I am honored and excited by the opportunity to join such an impressive organization, and move forward CDF-CA's crucial work to ensure a level playing field for all California children," said Johnson.

Prior to his four years at the Supervisor's office, Johnson worked as an attorney in the New York City Department of Education's Teacher Performance Unit on a quality initiative to improve academic outcomes for K-12 students. Johnson also served as an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County. He currently serves as a board member of the Los Angeles County Board of Education. Johnson received a B.A. from Morehouse College and a J.D. from American University.

As Executive Director of CDF-CA, Johnson will oversee the organization's advocacy and organizing work to ensure access to affordable, high-quality health coverage for all California children, reform of the juvenile justice system, educational equity, and end child poverty. Johnson will also manage California's CDF Freedom Schools program and Beat the Odds^® scholarship and leadership development program for high school students who have overcome adversity to excel in school and serve as leaders in their communities.

Johnson succeeds Kim Brettschneider, who left CDF-CA after eight years to pursue opportunities back home in New York.

For interviews, contact Hanif Houston at (510) 684-0322 or [email protected].

The Children's Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind^® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investments before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. www.childrensdefense.org

Contact: Patti Hassler, Vice President of Communications and Outreach, (202) 662-3554, [email protected]

SOURCE Children's Defense Fund