Alumnus Sylvester C. Johnson Urges Alumni to Help Guide the Next Generation
Youth Motivation Task Force Marks 51 Years of Impact
For more than half a century, Alabama A&M University’s Youth Motivation Task Force has played a quiet but powerful role in preparing students for life beyond the classroom, connecting Bulldogs with professionals who motivate, mentor and model what is possible with an AAMU degree.
Now in its 51st year, the Youth Motivation Task Force, commonly known as YMTF, stands as one of the longest-running university-based programs of its kind in the nation. Its roots trace back to a national youth employment initiative launched in 1967 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and later reinforced by President Gerald R. Ford. Alabama A&M adopted the model more than 50 years ago under the leadership of former Career Development Services Director Benjamin T. Davis and has sustained it ever since, building a legacy centered on workforce readiness, exposure and opportunity.
At the helm of this next chapter is Sylvester C. Johnson, a 1989 Alabama A&M graduate, retired U.S. Army captain and Fortune 25 operations executive who currently serves as senior director of The Home Depot Equipment Services. Johnson, who has been involved with YMTF for two decades, is now serving his second year as chair after previously co-chairing and leading the program’s 50th anniversary.
Johnson said his decision to lead the task force is rooted in both service and responsibility.
“I have the privilege of leading a major transformation of this long-standing program, supported by our advisory board members, industry leaders, Career Development Services, and University faculty and staff,” Johnson said. “That evolution is captured in this year’s theme, ‘The Next Chapter: Leading Forward.’”
An ROTC distinguished military graduate who earned his commission as a second lieutenant before completing his bachelor’s degree in computer science, Johnson went on to earn an MBA from Liberty University and build a career spanning the military, entrepreneurship and corporate leadership. During his 14 years with The Home Depot, he has held several senior roles, including leading nationwide product availability during the COVID-19 pandemic and overseeing large-scale operations and strategic transformation initiatives.
Despite his professional success, Johnson said YMTF remains one of the most meaningful commitments of his career.
“The Task Force represents opportunity, impact and legacy,” he said. “It’s a space where industry leaders can pour into students the guidance many of us once needed—helping them see what’s possible, build confidence, and prepare for life beyond the classroom.”
Each year, YMTF brings together professionals from a wide range of industries to engage directly with students, offering real-world insight, career preparation and encouragement. Participants include executives, managers, engineers, educators, social workers and public-sector leaders, many of whom are Alabama A&M alumni.
Johnson said broad alumni participation is one of the program’s strengths.
“YMTF welcomes industry leaders from various backgrounds and generations,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for students to interact with professionals and learn about careers across both the private and public sectors.”
This year, Johnson has set an ambitious participation goal of 150 alumni, a number he said reflects the University’s mission and reach as a land-grant institution. The program itself is also evolving, shifting from traditional classroom visits to a conference-style experience designed to better meet the needs of today’s students and workforce, including exposure to emerging fields such as artificial intelligence.
Registration is now open for the 2026 Youth Motivation Task Force, taking place March 29–31 on the Alabama A&M campus. Alumni and industry professionals are encouraged to register by March 20, 2026.
As Johnson looks ahead to YMTF 51, he said the heart of the program remains unchanged: showing up for students in ways that matter.
“Each year, I look forward to paying it forward,” Johnson said. “I feel a personal obligation to build bridges and help students see what’s possible. Students aren’t seeking perfection; they’re seeking belief—proof that their path can lead somewhere meaningful,” he said. “Every interaction matters. By showing up, you help a Bulldog step confidently into their next chapter. That’s why your presence matters now more than ever.”