Tez Johnson: A Trailblazing Economist and Policy Expert

Introduction

Tez Johnson, an esteemed economist and policy advisor, has made significant contributions to the fields of economic development, affordable housing, and financial literacy. His groundbreaking work has positively impacted communities nationwide, earning him recognition as a thought leader and a champion for economic justice.

Education and Early Career

Johnson holds a Master's degree in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduating, he worked as a policy analyst for the California State Assembly, where he gained valuable experience in crafting legislation and analyzing economic trends.

Work at the Center for Responsible Lending

In 2005, Johnson joined the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible lending and protecting consumers from predatory financial practices. As Director of Research and Policy, he led a team that conducted groundbreaking research on subprime lending and its devastating impact on low-income communities.

Johnson's work at CRL helped to illuminate the systemic risks posed by predatory lending and contributed to the development of policies to address these abuses. His findings were cited in the final report of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, which investigated the causes of the 2008 financial crisis.

Service in the Obama Administration

From 2009 to 2014, Johnson served as Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Co-Director of the White House Council of Economic Advisers during the Obama Administration. In these roles, he played a pivotal role in shaping economic policy and advising President Obama on issues related to financial regulation, housing, and economic growth.

Johnson's tenure in the White House coincided with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which expanded health insurance coverage to millions of Americans. He was instrumental in developing the ACA's financial assistance provisions, which helped to make health insurance more affordable for low- and middle-income families.

Current Work

Since leaving the Obama Administration, Johnson has continued to make significant contributions to economic policy and affordable housing. He currently serves as a Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute, a non-partisan think tank, where he leads research and policy initiatives on affordable housing, financial inclusion, and economic development.

Johnson is also a Senior Advisor to the Greenlining Institute, a non-profit organization that advocates for economic justice and environmental sustainability. He works to advance policies that promote affordable housing, reduce wealth inequality, and protect consumers from financial abuses.

Impact and Recognition

Johnson's work has been widely recognized for its rigor, objectivity, and impact on policy. He has received numerous awards, including the MacArthur Foundation's Genius Grant (2010) and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award (2020).

In addition to his research and policy work, Johnson is a sought-after speaker and lecturer. He has presented his findings at conferences and universities around the world, raising awareness about the importance of economic justice and financial literacy.

Call to Action

Tez Johnson's work has shown us that economic justice is not just a dream, but a goal that can be achieved through thoughtful policy and collaboration. We can all play a role in building a more equitable economy, whether by supporting organizations that promote affordable housing and financial literacy, or by advocating for policies that protect consumers and ensure everyone has a fair shot at economic success.

Table 1: Key Findings from CRL Research on Subprime Lending

Table 2: Key Provisions of the Affordable Care Act's Financial Assistance Provisions

Table 3: Awards and Recognitions Received by Tez Johnson