In 1998, Dr. Manson B. Johnson, II, founded EastSide University Village Community Learning Center as the educational branch of the non-profit South East Houston Community Development Corporation. Dr. Johnson has served as Holman Street Baptist Church Shepherd-Teacher since 1977. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee and reared in Starkville, Mississippi. His father was a pastor and his mother a schoolteacher. After earning a Bachelors degree in History and Government from Texas Southern University and a certified degree in mathematics from Prairie View A & M University, Dr. Johnson went into the field of education and began teaching at Cullen Middle School in the Houston Independent School District. Dr. Johnson is a founding board member at Texas Southern University and serves on many boards throughout the city and state including Crimes Stoppers and the Sports Authority. His tireless commitment to changing the educational, economic, and physical landscape of Houston's Third Ward and the Greater Houston Area is the driving force behind EastSide University.

Bracy Johnson received his B.A. in Business Administration from Texas Lutheran University.  He is a native Houstonian and resident of Houston's Third Ward. As a devoted father of two daughters, Bracy is committed to the future of our community. He is the founder/Executive VP of the Senate Distrcit 13 PAC, founder and board member of Happy Angels Learning Center, and a member of the Harris Early Voting Ballot Board.  As VP of Student Services at EastSide University, Bracy insures that the school provides innovative, effective approaches to helping our students no matter what their situation is and an environment conducive to student success.