Bowie State University Founders' Day Celebration

Join Bowie State University in celebrating 159 years of excellence during our Founders' Day as we honor the legacy of alumni, students, faculty & staff who embody what it truly means to be Bowie Bold.

Keynote Speaker 

Delano Johnson

Speaker Bio

Delano Johnson was born on January 13, 1988, and grew up in Baltimore City, Maryland. Johnson attended Dunbar High School and honed his love of sports into a devotion to football. His natural talent and relentless work ethic shaped his athletic journey, while his determination and talent caught his coach’s attention.  Once Jonhson graduated high school, he seized the opportunity to continue his education and athletic pursuits at Bowie State University. His dedication and grit made him a standout and versatile athlete who made waves in both football and basketball. After graduating college, Johnson started his professional football career, playing for many well-known teams, including the Houston Texans of the NFL, the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Portland Steel of the Arena Football League.

Through his barbershop, Finao Love, Johnson dedicates his time to positively impacting his community and promoting the message, “failure is not an option; living our vision every day.” He also mentors our youth and helps them understand the importance of resilience and hope. Johnson continues to face many new challenges, but each triumph is a testament to his strength and unwavering commitment to excellence. This Founder’s Day, remember that with dedication and determination, anything is possible.