John Burns (activist)


John Burns is an attorney, tv/radio personality, and community activist.

Early life and education

Burns was born in Louisville, Kentucky and was raised in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated high school from Texas Military Institute in May 2000 and studied Economics and International Affairs at the University of Westminster in London, England and graduated from Tufts University in May 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then received his Juris Doctorate degree in May 2007 from Georgetown University Law Center.

Television, radio and print

Burns is a contributor to the Karen Hunter SiriusXM radio show and appears regularly on several other media outlets including MSNBC, TV One and Black Entertainment Television as well as local and national radio stations. He also has a legal column on the Huffington Post and has published writings with Ebony.com and Politic365.com.

Icon Talks

Burns co-founded Icon Talks in 2013 which is a traveling speaker series that brings together icons from various walks of life, including entertainment moguls, professional athletes, CEO’s, actors and activists and provides a platform for them to discuss and share their inspiration and paths to success. He also serves as moderator for Icon Talks and has interviewed many prominent individuals including Chaka Khan, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Cathy Hughes, Congressman John Lewis, Sheila Johnson, Omari Hardwick, Tip "T.I." Harris. The organization has honored celebrities and community leaders such as Senator Chris Dodd, Ludacris, Brian Michael Cox, Cee-Lo, Jason Taylor, Fabolous, Quincy Brown, Harry Belafonte, Robert Townsend, and Kenny Lattimore amongst others.

Community work

He is one of the co-founders and serves as secretary of the Icon to Ican Foundation, which is a non-profit organization created to provide mentorship, exposure and inspiration to children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions and other severe disabilities. He also a former Executive Board member of the D.C. Chapter of 100 Black Men of America, sits on the Mid-Atlantic Board of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and is active with the American Diabetes Association, National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Mr. Burns is also a frequent lecturer and panelist discussing topics dealing with issues surrounding the law, entertainment, mentorship and civic engagement.

John Lewis Documentary Project

Burns is co-producing the John Lewis Documentary Project with Omari Hardwick which is set for release in 2021.