Passionate about creating positive change, Connie L. Johnson is a dedicated professional committed to social justice, community advocacy, and youth development. With a proven track record of making a difference, she brings a unique blend of lived, professional, and academic experiences, and a deep understanding of the issues facing women living with and impacted by HIV. Connie has 20 years of experience working at the intersection of youth advocacy and community development. As a secondary educator, she successfully created and implemented innovative programming for marginalized youth and their families. This experience has honed her ability to navigate and identify complex social issues and develop effective strategies for positive impact among under-resourced communities.
A vocal advocate for women living with HIV, Connie uses storytelling and creative writing to engage in meaningful dialogue, raise awareness, and dismantle stigma associated with HIV. As a spoken word artist, Connie uses the power of poetic language to convey the human side of HIV while fostering empathy and dispelling harmful myths. Her first book, Beyond Measure is a collection of biographical sketches of eight Kenya mothers who are living with HIV. Each woman shares her journey of trial to triumph while defining a common thread, their chance encounters with Living Positive Kenya, a grassroots NGO in Ngong, Kenya that provides services and programming for women living with and impacted by HIV/AIDS.
Connie holds a B.A. in Child and Family Studies from Columbia College in Columbia, SC and a M.A. in Social Justice and Community Development from Loyola University Chicago. Her academic background has provided her with a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of social issues and developing informed, evidence-based solutions.
