MSU Home Coming 2022

Laughs With Legends was humbled to honor Joan Jackson Johnson.

Known by the nickname “Triple J,” Jackson Johnson worked tirelessly to address food and housing insecurity in Greater Lansing. A city employee for about 15 years, she focused on feeding and housing people in need both in and outside of the office.

A licensed psychologist, Jackson Johnson volunteered for decades with area nonprofits. On the weekends, she could be found driving around the city making sure nobody was sleeping on the streets.

“The end of last year, we still had over 5,000 homeless people in Lansing,” Jackson Johnson told the State Journal in 2017. “And so are we failing as a community? Do we fail families where they lose subsidized housing? When we allow a family to be put out of a house where they are paying $10 a month for four bedrooms, the system has failed those kids, the system has failed the family.”

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, and raised in Tampa, Jackson Johnson moved to Michigan in 1970 to study rehabilitation counseling and psychology at Michigan State University.

She met her husband during her first year in the area. They would go on to raise five children.

After finishing her Ph.D., Jackson Johnson worked as a psychologist, opening a practice in East Lansing. While running that practice, she survived a battle with ovarian cancer.

In 2006, former Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, with whom Jackson Johnson had served on the area’s Community Mental Health board, asked her to take a job with the city.

Despite the lesser pay, she accepted, seeing an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of her neighbors.

“God spared my life of cancer, and I just felt that I was called to do something more than a cushy private practice,” she said in 2017. “I saw quite a few people who couldn’t afford to pay, but I saw people who could and had a decent life.”

Bernero gave Jackson Johnson his trust, allowing her to do what she felt called to do “and ask for forgiveness later,” she said in 2017.

“I like solving problems,” she said. “I like to be a part of the solution rather than the problem itself.”

Sponsors

Laughs With Legends Super Bowl Week 2022 Los Angeles

What a wonderful time in Los Angeles, full of laughter and honoring Franco Harris. All proceeds that were raised were in the benefit of–

“I Can Youth Foundation“

Recently, Los Angeles played host to the one-of-a-kind event ‘Laughs with Legends’. The night was packed with a star studded lineup that included NFL greats Thurman Thomas, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Larry Centers and Steve Beuerlein. Completing the stellar line up was comedian Chrispher “Kid” Reid. All proceeds from the show were donated to I Can Youth Foundation. The show’s hosting EMCEE was Billy D. Washington and the auction was conducted by John Luke famously known from Storage Wars New York as well as his numerous posts on Twitter.

The night turned out to be an absolute blast, complete with lots of laughs and unforgettable memories! Not only did the audience have a good time but they also felt great about supporting an important cause. By buying tickets to the event, fans were contributing funds to I Can Youth Foundation and its mission of helping disadvantaged youths reach their potential. At the end of the evening, everyone left knowing that they had made a difference and had been part of something special – Laughs with Legends!

Laughs With Legends Super Bowl Week Miami FL January 29 2020

The Miami Laughs with Legends Flyer Featuring Special Guests

Laughs with Legends Miami was a fantastically entertaining event that featured Christopher “Kid” Reid, better known as Kid ‘n Play! Comedian Billy D. Washington hosted the show, which also featured NFL legends. Flozell Adams is best known as a great Cowboys left tackle. In 1995, NFL legend Larry Centers set the record for most passes caught by a running back in a career. Steve Beuerlein was well-known for his work as a quarterback. Ed “Too Tall Jones” was a member of the Dallas Cowboys’ “Doomsday Defense” during his career. You may have seen this man in his Geico commercial as well!

The Legend Liar’s Club is the name of that show! Known for having these legendary figures tell a story from their lives to demonstrate that they, too, are people. However, one of these storytellers is lying, and the audience must figure out who it is. The show may also include a live auction of signed memorabilia from players and celebrities from around the world. Keep an eye out for the next one; It’s all for a good cause!

Some Photos From The Show

The featuring event center for the show was the Miami Improve Comedy Theatre.

Come one, come all to the ultimate comedy show – starring Kid ‘n Play! We’re raising money for underprivileged families who are struggling to provide for their children’s dreams of playing football. Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with side-splitting laughter, and know that your contribution will make a positive difference in a child’s life. Get your tickets today and join us for a night you won’t forget!

We are looking for sponsors and partners to help us make the event even better. If you’re interested, please scroll down for more information about the show. By supporting our show, you will have your image and company represented and could be shown below. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!

Laughs With Legends SMU Homecoming 2019

The SMU Mustangs Homecoming show was a roaring success! On October 5th, 2019, the Dallas Comedy House hosted Laughs with Legends – an incredible show that featured some of the greatest SMU alumni: Eric Dickerson (Pro Football Hall of Fame), Hacksaw Jim Duggan (WWE Hall of Fame), Harvey Armstrong (NFL Alum) and Russell Carter (also NFL Alum). Hosted by comedian Aaron Aryanpur, this amazing event had attendees in stitches all night long.

Not only did everyone have an amazing time at the comedy show, they were also supporting a great cause – proceeds from the ticket sales went to benefit research on sports-related injuries. It’s not every day that you get to enjoy great comedy while helping to make a difference. Everyone involved should be proud of their part in creating such an incredible event. We can’t wait to see what next year brings!

Laughs With Legends SMU Homecoming Weekend November 8th 2019

Laughs With Legends Benefiting The Taylor Gabriel Foundation November 7th 2019

The Taylor Gabriel Foundation Laughs with Legends Event Poster

Recently, comedy fans in Dallas had the pleasure of enjoying an incredible night of entertainment at a comedy event hosted by comedian Aaron Araynpur and featuring headliner Paul Varghese. Not only were there plenty of laughs to go around but it was also a chance to meet and mingle with four professional athletes who came as special guests – Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Super Bowl Champion; Cory Procter, Cowboys Alumni; Flozell Adams, Cowboys Alumni; and Larry Centers, Super Bowl Champion.

Attendees were invited to take photos with the celebrities and get their autographs, providing plenty of lasting memories from this fun evening. As an extra incentive to come out, all proceeds went directly towards the Taylor Gabriel Foundation. The live auction provided yet another way for fans to help contribute even more funds and added some friendly competition among attendees who wanted a chance at winning one of the great items being auctioned off!

In short, this was a unique opportunity for Dallas comedy fans to enjoy a memorable night filled with laughs, great memories with some famous sports stars, and the knowledge that their money went towards helping those in need via the Taylor Gabriel Foundation. This kind of entertaining experience will certainly remain in everyone’s minds for years to come!

Laughs With Legends South Padre Island Texas March 28 2019 

Laughs With Legends Super Bowl Week Atlanta Ga January 30 2019

What a wonderful time in Los Angeles, full of laughter and honoring Franco Harris. All proceeds that were raised were in the benefit of–

“I Can Youth Foundation“

Recently, Los Angeles played host to the one-of-a-kind event ‘Laughs with Legends’. The night was packed with a star studded lineup that included NFL greats Thurman Thomas, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Larry Centers and Steve Beuerlein. Completing the stellar line up was comedian Chrispher “Kid” Reid. All proceeds from the show were donated to I Can Youth Foundation. The show’s hosting EMCEE was Billy D. Washington and the auction was conducted by John Luke famously known from Storage Wars New York as well as his numerous posts on Twitter.

The night turned out to be an absolute blast, complete with lots of laughs and unforgettable memories! Not only did the audience have a good time but they also felt great about supporting an important cause. By buying tickets to the event, fans were contributing funds to I Can Youth Foundation and its mission of helping disadvantaged youths reach their potential. At the end of the evening, everyone left knowing that they had made a difference and had been part of something special – Laughs with Legends!

Laughs With Legends Atlanta Ga

January 18 2019