Episode Details

Our first ever BBT guest and came with some valuable insight!

We sit down with Jayson Johnson: a recent Howard University graduate with a BS in mechanical engineering, a Knight-Hennessy Scholar, and the founder of Rooted, a campus platform built to connect and serve student communities. Jayson walks us through the whole journey — how he found his way into mechanical engineering, his early research experiences, and what it actually took to build Rooted: the imposter syndrome, the doubt, the late nights, and where he's taking it next.

From there the conversation opens into the stuff every student and early-career person needs to hear. The real value of the HBCU experience. How he weighs grad school versus jumping straight into the workforce. And why community and networking aren't buzzwords — they're the actual difference-makers, especially coming from an HBCU.

We get into building platforms for community impact (Rooted and this podcast both), where personal inspiration and accountability really come from, and how AI is reshaping education, the job market, and the future of work. Jayson closes with honest advice for engineering and computer science students — pursue your passion, create your own opportunities, stay versatile — plus some real talk on the stereotypes around Greek organizations.

If you're a student, a builder, or anybody trying to figure out the come-up, this one's for you.

00:00 Introducing Jayson Johnson

02:57 Journey to Mechanical Engineering

05:58 Early Research Experiences

12:56 Rooted: Building the App

16:57 Future of Rooted

18:50 The Knight Hennessy Scholars Program

19:15 The Impact of HBCU Experiences

20:15 Pursuing Grad School vs. Entering the Workforce

26:11 The Importance of Community and Networking

38:40 Building Platforms for Community Impact

40:18 Personal Inspiration and Impact

41:58 Building Rooted and Accountability

47:19 The Impact of AI

57:24 Stereotypes and Advice for Students

01:05:26 Podcast Growth and Closing Remarks

We are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or legal experts. We're sharing our personal perspectives and deconstructing these industries in real-time, but none of this is professional advice. Always do your own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before making major moves. We're learning out loud — join us, but the plays you make are your own.

Subscribe: @BlackBoxTheoryPod

Instagram & TikTok: @blackboxtheorypod

Email: blackboxtheorypod@gmail.com

All platforms: linktr.ee/blackboxtheorypod

New episodes every week.