Is Dr. Umar Johnson Running a School Scam? Investigating the Evidence

In an increasingly connected world, the line between genuine activism and well-disguised fraud often blurs. This is no more evident than in the decade-long saga of Dr. Umar Johnson, a polarizing figure within the African-American community. Johnson, who describes himself as the “Prince of Pan-Africanism,” has made grand promises to build a school for Black children—a promise that remains unfulfilled after more than ten years. The story, filled with red flags, half-truths, and missing accountability, raises serious questions about the validity of his mission and the millions of dollars he has received in donations.

Who is Dr. Umar Johnson?

Dr. Umar Johnson, born Jermaine Shoemake, claims to be a descendant of the famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass. His birth name and subsequent change to “Umar Rashad Ibn Abdullah Johnson” seems intended to add credibility to his Pan-Africanist rhetoric. His self-declared title as the “Prince of Pan-Africanism” aligns with his mission to unify African-descended people across the globe and resist colonialism and white supremacy.

Despite his lofty goals, Johnson has a controversial track record. From his outspoken criticism of figures like Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and LeBron James to his defense of Bill Cosby, Johnson's rhetoric is often divisive. His followers are loyal, but his detractors accuse him of manipulating African-American cultural and political frustration for personal gain.

The Grand Vision: A School for Black Excellence

Johnson’s crowning promise is the creation of the Frederick Douglass and Marcus Garvey RBG International Leadership Academy. Announced over a decade ago, the school was intended to offer specialized education for Black boys. Johnson first appealed for donations in 2014, raising over $400,000 on GoFundMe by 2015. According to Johnson, this school would serve as a beacon for the future of Black leadership, providing a space free from Eurocentric ideals and oppressive systems.

But here’s where things get complicated.

Fundraising with Little to Show

Despite his success in raising substantial funds, tangible progress toward completing the school has been almost nonexistent. By 2019, Johnson had allegedly raised more than $1 million, yet the school still lacked basic infrastructure, including a functioning HVAC system. When questioned about the delays, Johnson was quick to shift blame—first to PayPal, then to real estate issues, and later to the slow pace of community involvement.

Johnson frequently calls for donations, maintaining that the school is on the verge of completion. For instance, in 2024, he finally announced an opening date: September 3rd. Yet, as the day came and went, the school remained closed, leaving supporters disillusioned and critics vindicated.

Red Flags and Questionable Credentials

One of the most glaring concerns about Johnson's credibility is his educational background. He claims to hold a doctorate in psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), but investigative reports cast doubt on this. Records of his dissertation and graduation from PCOM are conspicuously absent from publicly available databases, an anomaly considering that 99% of PCOM's doctoral dissertations are accessible online. Furthermore, the graduation ceremony for the year Johnson allegedly completed his degree was inexplicably scrubbed from the internet, raising suspicion.

If his academic credentials are suspect, can his efforts to build a school be trusted?

The Never-Ending Excuses

As Johnson’s delays stretched from months to years, his explanations became more convoluted. Each new hurdle came with its own excuse—ranging from licensing issues to insufficient donations. He even claimed at one point that PayPal had sabotaged his efforts. More than nine years after the original announcement, Johnson proudly showed off the “big, beautiful windows” of the school—a minor development given the monumental promises made.

In 2024, after a decade of planning, Johnson finally began painting the interior of the building. But painting walls is a far cry from delivering on the robust educational experience that his supporters were promised. And, to date, no students have been enrolled, nor has a single class been held.

A Copycat Scam?

As if the story weren’t already filled with enough intrigue, Johnson recently found himself caught in a bizarre twist. A website emerged under a nearly identical name, the Frederick Douglass Marcus Garvey Academy, offering online classes until the “physical school is built.” Johnson was quick to distance himself from this site, claiming it was unaffiliated with his project. Yet, investigation revealed a connection between the site and Johnson’s associates, leading many to wonder if he was behind this secondary scheme.

This copycat website lacked transparency, offering only a contact number and vague promises of educational content. The domain information was hidden, and further inquiry revealed ties to a group called the Fred Hampton Gun Club—a group Johnson has openly supported. This all raised the possibility that the fake school might just be another arm of Johnson’s long-running con.

So, Is It a Scam?

Determining whether Johnson is a fraud requires a deep dive into his behavior over the last decade. At its core, his campaign shows all the classic signs of a well-executed scam:

• Grand promises with minimal progress: Despite millions in donations, Johnson’s project is nowhere near completion.
• Moving goalposts: Each time he misses a deadline, he offers a new excuse or slight progress update (e.g., painting windows, announcing a date that never materializes).
• Dubious credentials: Johnson’s lack of verifiable academic background undermines his credibility as an educator.
• Diversion of funds: It is possible Johnson has profited from the donations by earning interest on the money raised over time.

Protecting Yourself from Similar Scams

Johnson's story offers several lessons for people looking to support community projects and charitable causes:

1. Research Before Donating: Always verify the legitimacy of any organization or individual asking for funds. Look for tax-exempt status and transparent financial statements.

2. Check Credentials: Claims of expertise or academic accomplishments should be easily verifiable. If someone’s educational background cannot be confirmed, proceed with caution.

3. Look for Tangible Progress: Promises are cheap. If a project has raised substantial funds but shows little progress after several years, it may be a scam.

4. Accountability is Key: Any legitimate organization should provide regular, transparent updates on how funds are being used and what progress is being made.

Conclusion

Dr. Umar Johnson’s decade-long mission to build a school for Black children remains mired in controversy and unanswered questions. Whether his project is an elaborate scam or a case of gross incompetence, one thing is clear: those who donated in good faith deserve better. Until real progress is made—or until he’s held accountable—this story remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked crowdfunding campaigns.

Legal Disclaimer:

The contents of this article are based on available information and are not intended to accuse or defame any individual. ScamDocs.com does not take responsibility for the accuracy of claims presented. All information is alleged, and readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before forming conclusions or making decisions based on the article.