Who We Are
Established in 1999, the Samuel H. Johnson SSSP Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to honoring the legacy of educator and mentor Samuel H. Johnson. Our mission is to provide scholarships to talented minority undergraduate students in the Southeastern United States who require financial assistance to complete their college education.
Rooted in the values of the original Summer Study Skills Program (SSSP) from the 1960s, the Foundation continues to support and empower students through education. To date, we have awarded over 70 scholarships, totaling more than $60,000, to deserving students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the Southeast.
In our commitment to sustaining this legacy, we have launched a campaign to establish a $500,000 scholarship endowment fund. This endowment will ensure the continuation and expansion of our scholarship programs, enabling us to assist more students in achieving their academic goals.
We invite you to join us in this endeavor—whether through donations, attending our benefit concerts, or spreading the word about our mission. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of students and honor the enduring legacy of Samuel H. Johnson.
How it All Started: The History of the Summer Study Skills Program (SSSP)
The Summer Study Skills Program (SSSP) began in 1961 at Boggs Academy in Keysville, Georgia, with a bold vision: empower high-potential minority students through focused academic support and character development.
Launched by the Board of National Missions of the United Presbyterian Church USA, and led by counselor Samuel H. Johnson, the program was designed for underserved high school students—particularly African American youth in the Southeast—who showed promise but lacked the resources to succeed academically.
Driven by the vision of long-term impact, SSSP planted seeds not just for college success, but for lifelong leadership. In 1998, alumni of the original program reunited in Atlanta and resolved to keep the legacy alive. With their collective effort, the Samuel H. Johnson SSSP Foundation was established in 1999 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
Today, the Foundation continues that legacy by awarding scholarships to undergraduate minority students in the Southeastern U.S., helping them overcome financial barriers and achieve their college dreams.
