Though still a young man himself, Braxton Johnson moves with a deep awareness of his connection—and responsibility—to those who came before him.
That consciousness is embedded in the very name of the organization he founded, Pay the Fee, a leadership and empowerment platform created to uplift young Black brothers, particularly teens and young adults navigating a world filled with obstacles and limited margins for error.
“The name Pay the Fee was chosen in honor of our ancestors,” Johnson explains. “Black people here have had to pay a fee. A lot of it has been blood, sweat, and tears. A lot of our ancestors paid the ultimate sacrifice, which was with their lives. So, I feel like there’s no greater name than Pay the Fee.”
Johnson describes himself as an entrepreneur and activist who is “on the front line fighting for Black people.” That fight, he believes, demands action, education, and consistent engagement with the community. Along with equipping young Black brothers for success in life, Johnson is also on a mission to enlighten Black Houston with information he believes the community needs to hear right now.
Real-world reach
At its core, Pay the Fee functions as a leadership platform that exposes participants to a wide range of topics Johnson believes are essential for personal and collective advancement. The organization takes a holistic approach, addressing not only career readiness but also health, civic awareness, and interpersonal responsibility.
As part of its outreach, Pay the Fee has worked with athletes at Wisdom High School, who participated in back-to-school drives and holiday toy giveaways, and facilitated leadership programming across the region.
One of its most impactful efforts took place last summer at the Pearland Library, where Johnson organized a multi-faceted conference for Black teens.
“We had about 21 young Black boys come out, learn some serious information,” Johnson says. “I had a health professor who spoke on health. We had presenters teach financial literacy and business etiquette. I taught leadership and development. We also had a session on de-escalation, because we all know how important de-escalation is within our community, with Black-on-Black crime.”
Teaching systems, law, and accountability
Understanding that many young Black men encounter the legal system without adequate knowledge or preparation, Johnson ensured the Pearland program included a civics and law panel. Attorneys, police officers, and judges participated, offering insight into how systems function and how young people can better navigate them.
Among the panelists was Roderick Garner, Justice of the Peace for Fort Bend County Precinct 2, who left the event deeply impressed—not only by the content, but by the convener.
“I find Braxton Johnson to be intellectually sound, spiritually connected, and responsive to the social and cultural status of Black folks,” said Garner. “Braxton is putting his time and money where the need exists. Because of young men like him, I’m encouraged that our culture, education, and economic future are in good hands.”
Why is the focus on young brothers
Johnson is clear and direct about why young Black men remain his primary focus. He sees a strong connection between neglecting Black boys and the cycles of violence, incarceration, and early death that continue to devastate many communities.
“Black people here have had to pay a fee. A lot of it has been blood, sweat, and tears. A lot of our ancestors paid the ultimate sacrifice, which was with their lives. So, I feel like there’s no greater name than Pay the Fee.”
Braxton Johnson
“Black-on-Black crime is a big thing in the community,” Johnson says. “We need to start focusing more on the young men, especially since the young Black men are the ones who are going to the penitentiary and being killed in the streets for various reasons.”
To Johnson, these young men are not problems to be fixed but leaders in formation who need guidance, discipline, and vision.
“They’re future leaders of our community,” he says. “We need to work on them more, teach them how to actually lead. Teach them how to work with each other. Teach them teamwork, and how to build with one another instead of warring and beefing with one another… So, right now is the perfect time to step up and work with the community.”
Black History Month event
That same urgency is driving Pay the Fee’s upcoming Black History Month community dialogue, which will feature nationally known activist and author Nuri Muhammad.
Johnson believes the event will be both timely and transformative.
“[Muhammad] speaks so much positivity,” shared Johnson. “He speaks light. It makes you feel different when you hear his messages. You hear him talking about his people—Black people, your people.”
Johnson hopes the event draws a broad cross-section of the Black community.
“I’m bringing him to the city, and I want as many Black people in the community to come out and hear what he has to say,” added Johnson. “He’s written seven books. Four of them have been bestsellers on Amazon… This is a powerful speaker. So, I would recommend any and everybody to come out and hear him speak, because we’re going to talk about some serious issues.”
The event will be held at the Stafford Civic Center on Feb. 7, beginning at 6 p.m.—another step in Johnson’s growing mission to ensure that young Black brothers and the communities that shape them are no longer left without guidance, hope, or leadership.
