City Council:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK RECOGNIZING AND
CELEBRATING JOHAN S. POWELL, ESQ>
Whereas, Johan was born and raised in Harlem with a younger sister, Deirdra, by a strong mother. His mother, Mary, worked as a Registered Nurse for thirty-plus years at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, where she retired as Head Nurse of the ER.; and
Whereas, He attended elementary, middle, and junior high school in his Harlem neighborhood on 125th Street and Broadway. Upon graduating from high school in June 1980, he left the comfort of Harlem to attend Hofstra University in Hempstead, Long Island where he pursued a degree in Accounting and was a Dean’s List student. While in college, he joined the Malik Fraternity, Inc., where he internalized the fraternity principles of Manhood, Achievement, Integrity, and Knowledge. It was at that time that Johan began his community service career. The fraternity stressed academic excellence and grassroots community activism. They donated clothes to the needy in Caribbean and African countries, had canned food drives, and brought high school students to campus to explore actual college life. He graduated from Hofstra University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Business Administration - specializing in Accounting; and
Whereas, Johan received a scholarship to attend George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC so he turned down a job offer from the number 1 accounting firm in the world, Author Andersen to attend GW Law. In law school, he continued his community service initiatives such as, working for GW’s Bankruptcy Clinic assisting families in financial distress, he was also a member of the Student Admissions Committee, where he assisted students of color gain admission to GW Law School. In May 1988, Johan graduated from Law School, with a Juris Doctorate degree; and
Whereas, in 1992, he became a Prince Hall Mason when he joined St. Joseph Lodge No. 117 in Mount Vernon, New York, where he continued his community service efforts and currently serves as Senior Warden, one of the principal officers. Furthermore, Johan has served for the last five (5) years as Judge Advocate (legal counsel) to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York. In 2018, he became a member of the A.E.A.O.N.M.S. or Prince Hall Shriners as they are also known. As part of the Shriners, he Chaired their Scholarship Committee from 2019 through 2023. During that time, the Committee awarded approximately $16,000 worth of Scholarship dollars to 15 deserving students. He has also spearheaded Toy Drives, Can Food and Clothing Drives through the Shrine. The Shrine also provides complete turkey dinners with the “fixins” to families in Westchester County each November. Johan is currently the Illustrious Potentate of Elejmal Temple No. 185 of Ossining, New York, continuing his commitment to community service. In addition, he is also the Desert of New York’s Legal Advisor. Additionally, Johan is a member of King David No. 3 Consistory 32nd Degree Scottish Rights Masonry; and
Whereas, Professionally, Mr. Powell established a successful entertainment law firm with his college fraternity brothers in the 90’s and in the year 2000 he became the Managing Partner of the Law Office of Johan S. Powell, LLC. He provided legal counsel, services, and advice to individual and corporate clients, including small businesses, corporate executives, and various entertainers. He represented clients in negotiations of various contracts and agreements (i.e., employment, recording, publishing, licensing, intellectual property, and endorsement agreements, to name a few). He is currently the Deputy Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon, where he does contract negotiations, including but not limited to, the drafting and reviewing of Federal, State and Municipal contracts; defense litigation, defending the City in various personal injury and property damage lawsuits; and prosecuting defendants for Federal and State Commercial Traffic violations and City Code enforcement. He also provides legal counsel and advice to all City agencies on a variety of legal matters, including advising on School District related issues, School Board, and other education-related matters, etc.; and
Whereas, Mr. Powell was also an Adjunct Professor at Hofstra University, where he taught undergraduate students, and Bank Street College of Education (Columbia University), where he taught students in the Master’s Fellowship Program. As an Adjunct Professor he taught Entertainment Law, Business Law, School Law, and Contract Law; and
Whereas, in August of 1986 he met the love of his life, Kelly, while working at the Internal Revenue Service. Kelly and Johan dated for 4 years, and in May of 1990, they tied the knot at Howard University Law Chapel in Washington, DC. They are happily married and living in Westchester County, New York; Now, Therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, NY, and many friends and family in recognition and appreciation for JOAHN S. POWELL, ESQ.’s outstanding service, commitment, and leadership to the citizens of the great City of Mount Vernon, NY.