Johnetta is a visionary leader with 25+ years devoted to transforming communities through entrepreneurship. As the founding Executive Director of Bowie State University’s Entrepreneurship Innovation Center, she drives a vibrant culture of innovation, empowering students to turn bold ideas into successful ventures. She also launched the Annual HBCU+ Entrepreneurship Conference, a premier event spotlighting entrepreneurial excellence. 

An accomplished entrepreneur herself, Johnetta has founded four companies and mentored over 3,000 businesses. Her expertise has been featured in Annals of Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy and The Black Experience. Serving on boards like the Global Consortium for Entrepreneurship Centers and co-founding the Centers & Institutes Entrepreneurship Group for the United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Johnetta’s impact extends far beyond BSU. 



A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she was honored as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women for 2024 and received the 2024 HBCU Entrepreneurship Legacy Award. With credentials from Harvard Business School, Howard University, and the Entrepreneurship Learning Initiative, Johnetta is a driving force in innovation and entrepreneurial growth.