Camden woman appears on Steve Harvey; thanks Jill Scott

Camden native Arnetta Johnson understands that her world is so much larger and so much better thanks to the guidance, help and belief of a superstar entertainer who took her under her wing.

Johnson attended Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy in Camden and has been mentored by singer/actress Jill Scott, a Philadelphia native.

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Johnson will appear on the "Steve Harvey" television show's “Thankful Hour” Tuesday, where she surprises the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, thanking her for her assistance and belief over the years.

A senior at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, the professional trumpeter doesn’t think she would have made it this far without Scott.

On the show, which airs locally at 2 p.m. on NBC 10, Harvey says, “Jill you do so much for so many people. Somebody whose life you impacted had something she’d like to tell you, please welcome Arnetta.”

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Dressed in a red ensemble, Johnson comes out and she and Scott hug each other tight.

“I want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams and having faith in me, trust in me, motivating me,” Johnson said. “She allowed me to focus on school, so I can travel the world now because I was able to work hard on my craft.

“Most people where I’m from, Camden, New Jersey, once you’re done with high school it’s like, that’s it. But through her, I’m able to change that stereotype, that system. Now I’m at school, Berklee, and I’m going into my last semester, and I’m getting ready to graduate, May 7. … All thanks to her.”

Scott’s Blues Babe Foundation awarded Johnson with a major scholarship in April 2014. It supported her continued studies at Berklee as a trumpet player. The singer called Johnson’s name at BET’s An Evening of Stars.

“Jill Scott has been my favorite singer since I was 7,” Johnson said then. “To hear someone you look up to say your name with so much excitement on stage was a huge moment.”

Blues Babe Foundation is the brainchild of Scott, who is also a poet. On its website it says it was formed “for the purpose of nurturing college-bound students of color, artistically and academically” and is committed to assisting students in underserved communities by “providing programs that promote leadership and academic excellence.” The scholarship offers financial support and mentoring for students.

Johnson began performing at 13 with an ensemble called Little Jazz Giants, which has performed at the Cape May and Tony Williams Jazz Festivals.

In high school, she performed with the marching band, concert band, small ensembles and big bands. She’s been the recipient of several medals and performance awards, including the Monterey Next Generation for best overall soloist.

Johnson has also performed at BET’s Black Girls Rock with singer Janelle Monae, and has performed with Sheila E, Terri Lyne Carrington, Christian McBride, Geri Allen, Warren Wolf and Esperanza Spalding, among others.

Celeste E. Whittaker; (856) 486-2437; cwhittaker@gannettnj.com