Because he’s a friend, because he’s a dedicated educator who will do anything for his kids, and because it’s pretty amazing he pulled this off…

Chris Johnson, principal of Benjamin Franklin H.S. somehow got P. Diddy to come to Philly and speak to his kids yesterday about achieving goals and staying in school.

And I love Chris’ take on the day…

Johnson said he didn’t view Diddy as a role model – role models are people students see every day – but as a voice that students would heed.

“We wanted to get someone who could have a voice that would resonate throughout the children’s mind-set. We wanted someone whom they would sit down and listen to, someone who comes from the same type of background,” said Johnson, who is in his third year as principal of the predominantly black neighborhood high school near Broad and Spring Garden Streets.

Chris is one of the folks we desperately need several dozen more of in our cities. He speaks to kids, not above them. He would do anything if he thought it would help his kids learn and succeed. And as his new speaker series shows, he’s willing to really find new ways to get students involved and excited about school.