Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Johnson.
Mia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 2016, I was looking to become more involved in my community. There were some things happening in my community that I wasn’t pleased with. In addition to that, there were these viral videos that kept circling social media that I felt misrepresented in my community. And it seemed as if those videos would take the attention off of what was really happening and turn it into a laughing matter. I wanted to see better representation. I wanted to become involved in what was happening in my community. I considered politics for a brief moment to address these concerns, but because of my career, it would have been a conflict of interest. So I started doing some research and stumbled across the national organization for The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. I reached out to them for a contact for the Dallas area just so I could join and learned there was no chapter. It was at that time I was tasked with forming the chapter in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The organizing group of ladies, the board, and I completely structured the policies and procedures, the bylaws, obtained our 501c3, and with the hard work of our membership, we were able to charter our chapter historically during the national leadership conference, something that had never been done before.
It was certainly not a smooth road. Leadership is tough. It took and continues to take a lot of commitment. I dedicated time away from my family, away from my own personal goals, and lost a lot of sleep. Many times, I showed up sick and no one but maybe two people who were privy to my personal health challenges knew it. Looking back on it, I was an adult, but this process made me grown. I earned all of my gray hair.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Dallas Metropolitan Chapter (NC100BW Dallas) advocates for Black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education, and economic empowerment. We advocate through programs. So that’s what makes us a little different from other organizations. Many other organizations are service organizations; they focus heavily on volunteer service. We focus on impact, advocacy, and how a particular initiative will impact the lives of Black women and girls. We have initiatives in areas of breast cancer, domestic violence, teen dating violence, STEAM, mental health, our Metamorphosis mentoring program sponsored by FritoLay, our Barbara Jordan Civic Engagement program, which is our public policy initiative, and our financial empowerment program SisterNomics, which is trademarked through our national organization just to name several. We also are very involved in voter registration, legislative day, and other public policy initiatives to advocate on behalf of Black women and girls. I’m extremely proud to serve alongside such amazing women. We have accomplished so much in the two years as a chartered chapter, the four years being together as a group of dynamic women.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Well, I’d say I had a few ladies who were my “ride or die” as they call it. They really were my supporters. They trusted me and trusted that I really did have the chapter’s best interest at heart. That supportive team is everything to someone in leadership.
Next, I would say I had a couple of really wise women that I could always call. I’m a young professional woman. Some stuff I flat out didn’t know and didn’t anticipate. So they were my mentors over the last four years. Last, my discernment is sharp. I always kept a prayer life. So when things were happening, when challenges were going on, when conversations were taking place, I always went to God. So nothing slipped passed me without God revealing it to me first, preparing my heart for it, giving me a strategy for it, and words to say IF I were to say anything at all.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2420 Innovation Dr.
#612835
DFW Airport, TX 75261 - Website: www.ncbwdallas.org
- Email: info@ncbwdallas.org
- Instagram: @dallas100ncbw
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/dallaschapterNCBW
Image Credit:
Photo of Mia Johnson and Mrs. Opal Lee after presenting her the Elaine Brown Community Advocacy Award.
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