By Randy Savoie, BCL

Jacob Johnson, Executive Director of the Health Education Authority of Louisiana (HEAL) for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, told New Orleans Job Corps Center students, “You are destined to do great things in life. You can be a follower. You can be a leader. You can be the best door greeter. You can be the best customer service representative. You can the best at whatever you decide to do as long as you have the conviction in your heart.”

Johnson outlined his principles of success for students: a plan, specific goals, a timeline, focus, determination and a positive attitude.

“As Zig Ziglar said,’ there are no traffic jams on the the extra mile to success,’ said Johnson at the Center’s recent awards ceremony and he talked about his own rise from childhood  poverty growing up in the shadows of  Louisiana State University’s Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.

“Peanut butter didn’t always taste too good but anything is good when you don’t have much,” said Johnson. “We didn’t have the brand name clothes. My mother did the best she could do with what she had. My mother today still works in the bakery department at the LSU Winn Dixie in Baton Rouge.”

The Health Education Authority of Louisiana (HEAL) was created through legislation to promote the medical and/or health education activities of various public and private organizations in Louisiana. HEAL aims to promote the health and welfare of Louisiana residents by encouraging and assisting in medical care access. 

“You should be celebrated and you should celebrate yourself no matter how big or small,” said Johnson. “You are successful. You are future leaders. Success is your birthright. See it through.”