By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
Alabama State University alumna and staff member, Dorothy Birl-Johnson (ASU class of 1986), was featured Oct. 2 on the hit nationwide Emmy-Award nominated daytime talk show, “The Jennifer Hudson Show.”
Birl-Johnson, who works in the ASU President's Office as the administrative assistant to President Quinton T. Ross, Jr., appeared on the show to discuss the importance of breast cancer awareness and to encourage women of all ages to adopt the potentially life-saving practices of daily self-examinations and seeking immediate medical attention if they detect lumps or other abnormalities. Birl-Johnson has a personal interest in helping to spread the news about breast cancer. Her 26-year-old daughter, Eboni Faith Johnson (ASU class of 2020) died from the disease on July 2. Birl-Johnson appeared on Hudson’s show along with her daughter, Angel Johnson Everett (ASU class of 2010), and her cousin, Wanda Williams-Madison (ASU class of 1999).
"After hearing of my daughter Eboni's struggle with breast cancer beginning with when she was first diagnosed with it at age 23 and our support of her both medically and spiritually through great doctors and with our prayers to God, the TV show felt that we represented so many other families who have been involved with fighting this dreaded disease. After being selected by the television show's producers, they flew us to Los Angeles, and we filmed our segment last week (Sept. 26) on Jennifer Hudson's set, which is located at the Warner Brothers Studio in Burbank, California," said Birl-Johnson. "We were on the show thanks to my daughter Angel, who wrote to Hudson's staff after my late daughter Eboni encouraged her to do so in the final months of her life, so that we could tell her story and help others be vigilant about the issue of breast cancer."
Birl-Johnson shared that Eboni was first diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2021, just after having graduated from Alabama State University with an undergraduate degree in Rehabilitation Services. Eboni underwent aggressive treatments, and the cancer went into remission in 2022; however, the disease reoccurred in 2023. After numerous therapies, regimes and medicines, Eboni passed away this past summer. Ironically, her sister Angel, who appeared on Hudson’s show with their mother, is a breast cancer survivor.
Eboni is also survived by Birl-Johnson's husband, Clifford Johnson (ASU class of 1983) and Angel's twin sister, Adrian Johnson Gilbert (ASU class of 2010).
Birl-Johnson explained that other than the personal story of her family's fight against cancer, the main topic they all discussed with Hudson is the importance of women of all ages, especially younger women like her late daughter, to begin checking their breasts each day for any abnormal signs. Birl-Johnson hopes that this type of vigilance may help women detect the cancer early, allowing them to begin treatment so they may avoid the heartbreak that her family now endures.
The family speaks at numerous public gatherings to enhance public awareness of breast cancer. Birl-Johnson said they are excited that their appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show has now helped them to share their message with an audience of millions of viewers.
"We are overjoyed that such a big star like Jennifer Hudson cares about breast cancer awareness and we are grateful for her bringing attention to this subject to the millions of viewers who watch her TV show daily. We also thank her and her producers for sharing the story of our girl," stated Birl-Johnson. "We sure miss Eboni, yet we realize that she was saved through Jesus Christ and although she is not physically with us on Earth anymore, she lives now with the Father spiritually and one day, we will be reunited with her in Heaven, and that will be a blessing to behold," Birl-Johnson said with a nod of her head.
Eboni’s family has established The Eboni Faith Johnson Scholarship Fund with the ASU Foundation to help deserving ASU undergraduate students obtain their degrees. For more information about the scholarship or to make a donation, contact the Alabama State University Foundation.
The one-hour, nationally syndicated program features celebrity guests, viral sensations, music, stories about topics of interest and a destination to celebrate exceptional community heroes. “The Jennifer Hudson Show” spreads inspiration through extraordinary stories, talents, and passions, plus the show is noted for changing lives across the nation, one surprise at a time.
The show is produced by JHUD Productions and Warner Brothers Unscripted Television in association with Telepictures and distributed in national syndication by Warner Brothers Domestic Television Distribution. It is executive produced by Emmy®, GRAMMY®, Oscar® and Tony® winner, Jennifer Hudson, and Andy Lassner, Corey Palent, Graehme Morphy and Walter Williams III.