Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Johnson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up I was extremely shy. My second-grade teacher, Ms. Jones decided to start me in Reader’s Theatre. A program designed for students to work on reading and comprehension skills while also acting it out. This allowed me to come out of my shell so much, that at age 9, I started in pageantry. I won my first pageant in 2014 as the National American Miss Texas Preteen. I continued and went on to Achieve the titles of the 2019 Royal International Miss Texas Teen, and the 2021 Miss Louisiana Teen. Through this, I realized my passion was public speaking. I wanted my words to make a positive difference in someone’s life. My major at Grambling State University is Mass Communications with a concentration in broadcasting. My ultimate goal after graduation is to work in a news station as an anchor or in acting. Until then, I stay extremely active on my campus and within my community. I recently served on the Student Government Association on the Royal Court as Miss Sophomore for the 2021-2022 academic school year. I served as a student representative for my Sophomore Class. This was an amazing experience because I was able to meet so many people! Through this, I valued all of my encounters of teaching young men and women about the importance of mental health. During the same year, I joined the best sisterhood; My sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I gained a lifetime of sisterhood and service. Moving into the next semester, I decided to compete in Grambling State University’s Annual Calendar Girl Scholarship Pageant. I competed on a platform of Empowerment through Encouragement. I was so blessed to have won the pageant and now serve as the 2022-2023 GSU Miss Cover Girl. Next semester, I plan to start the Empowerment through Encouragement Scholarship Fund to award a student every year an academic scholarship based on their story of overcoming adversity. By sharing our stories, we give others permission to share theirs. Later in my Sophomore year, Grambling’s Favrot Student Union Board hosted a Met Gala. All awards were voted on by the students, and I received the award for Kindest Heart and Best Smile. This year has been nothing short of a blessing. I give all glory, honor, and thanks to God. He has kept me and I wouldn’t be anywhere or anything without him.
Alright, 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?
From a child, I’ve always been an extremely jubilant person. Very bubbly and excited about life. I would tell others about the importance of self-love, knowing your worth, and taking care of your mental health. Recently at school, I started struggling. It seemed as if everything was moving rapidly. I didn’t realize that I wasn’t taking care of my mental health. This was the lowest I’d been. I was melancholy constantly. When it seemed, nothing was working to get my mind and body back to 100%, I prayed. I turned to Jesus and he healed me and continues to heal me. He reminded me of my foundation. I started doing my affirmations again, looking in the mirror and saying positive things to start my day. I started journaling again. I spent time alone and learned more about myself. I am currently reading the book Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, learning how to set healthy boundaries and being okay with saying no to others, so I’m not overextending myself. Finally, I turned the mellow energy into a positive. I started volunteering and joining different activities and staying active. I stimulated my mind with knowledge and gave back in any way possible. I learned to love myself again and although the journey to true happiness and peace hasn’t been easy; it’s taught be that a true leader can overcome adversity and teach others how to do so. That’s why now I’ve made my platform empowerment through encouragement, teaching young people how to jump hurdles and be their best selves.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My motto since I was nine years old has been, “Do your best and let God do the rest.” My family encouraged and guided me through childhood to be the independent woman I am today. I put my heart into everything I do. I try to leave lasting impressions. What sets me apart from others is my ability to see good in everyone. Maya Angelou said it best; “People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” When navigating through college my goal with everything is that people see my heart and know my intentions are to help and serve. I want to show young African Americans specifically women that you can be ANYTHING you want to be. No matter your background, you can write your own story and make it a best seller! You can leave a mark whenever you go because your light and spark is different than anyone else’s. It’s unique. Something I am most proud of is the kindest heart award I received. It speaks more to inner beauty than outer and I think that is so valuable. I listen to the song “I was here” by Beyoncé daily. On days I doubt myself, it reminds me why I started on this journey of fulfilling God’s plan for my life. The lyrics state, “I wanna say I lived each day, until I died, and know that I meant something in somebody’s life. The hearts I have touched will be the proof that I leave, That I made a difference and this world will see. I was here.”
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Others can support by contributing to my Empowerment through Encouragement Scholarship Fund so that I am able to provide more than one scholarship a year. Others can collaborate with me by reaching out so we can collaborate on future endeavors.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/madison_johnson44?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/madisoncjohns0n/status/1506291499973193733?s=21&t=bOoZeZ6B37iG-06t8ZoMig
Image Credits
Carlton Hamlin
CJ Williams
Royce Robinson
