Meet John
Dynamic Communication Specialist and Servant Leader, John is a highly sought-after speaker.
John Johnson is the CEO & Founder of John Johnson Speaks LLC. Over time, John has developed a deep understanding of the power of effective communication. Since speaking publicly for the first time at the age of 14 in church, John has been invited to speak at Universities, Schools, Churches, Conferences and other Organizations around the globe. Whether the topic is activating your purpose, transitioning from high school to college, mental health among men of color, or his signature, power of conscious communication, John’s raw and authentic message is heartfelt and awakening.
A Speaker Who Cares
John is truly someone who lives a life of service and leads with humanity. Taking each opportunity to serve with honor and pride, John makes sure that you and your group are left, not only with results, but also feeling seen, heard, and valued.
"John's Mission"
To equip individuals and organizations who feel unseen, unheard, and misunderstood with effective communication skills and strategies that enable them to build authentic relationships, embody servant leadership principles, and cultivate self-advocacy skills that support purpose-driven lives and promote intentionality and resilience.
John Johnson’s gift of conscious communication and emotional intelligence allows him to relate very well to many of the struggles people and, in particular, young people face. Born in Brooklyn, and raised primarily in Tompkins Housing Projects, John Johnson was surrounded by poverty, violence, and a very fast-paced New York City environment. John grew up with the absence of his biological father, in a family of 8, as the oldest male, and raised by a single-mom.
Prior to being born in the Fall of 1997, John was said to have no heart beat while his mother was still four months pregnant with him. By virtue of faith, prayer, and divine intervention a couple of weeks later, John committed his first heartbeat and came into this world as a miracle baby. From the day of learning this at the age of 14 years old until now, John has had a burning desire to share his story as a testimony so that others can find power in their own lives.
Although it was easy to view life as the “odds were stacked against him” and as another “product of his environment” John’s mother fought to combat that type of mindset by keeping him and his siblings involved and occupied in church, jobs, and other extra-curricular activities. John became heavily involved in church as the altar boy, deacon elect and began preaching at the age of 15. Some values instilled in him and still exercised today are dedication, patience, compassion, love, gratitude, and resilience.
Showing leadership at an early age, John earned the academic title for Valedictorian in the 5th grade and went on some years later to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology as a first-generation graduate for his family and proud opportunity program alumni as well. While in College, John earned the opportunity to teach young students and also participate in a community-service project across the world in West Africa, The Gambia where he stayed for two months. Connecting to the West African culture through service enhanced John’s life and perspective forever, and he couldn’t wait to carry on the work back home and abroad.
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John is also responsible for creating and hosting a vlog-styled talk-show titled “Let’s Talk About It” where he was able to gather peers on college campuses to discuss controversial topics around pop culture, social justice issues, life lessons, and more while also building an engaged and supportive social media audience as well. John looks forward to continuing this work through a new platform soon to come. Throughout his undergraduate and post-graduate career, John spent over three years in higher education student affairs and over 5 years in customer service.
A true change champion and advocate at heart, John has been able to gracefully turn his trials into testimonies and pain into purpose throughout his life and it has all been by utilizing core principles of effective communication, self-advocacy, and servant leadership. Now, John wants to share those same core principles to you so that you can do the same and more for yourself and for those you love.
Servant Leadership
Self-Advocacy
Effective Communication
Derived from John’s life journey, John Johnson Speaks LLC offers powerful services catered to your needs around three core principles
Servant Leadership
It centers on selflessness, empathy, and a deep commitment to the growth and well-being of others. In this approach, leaders prioritize the needs and development of their team members, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration. They lead by example, demonstrating humility and a willingness to serve, rather than seeking power or control.
Self-Advocacy
It involves clear and confident communication to ensure that one's interests are acknowledged and respected. Effective self-advocacy requires self-awareness, the ability to express concerns, and the courage to pursue one's goals. It is a vital skill in personal and professional life, fostering independence and empowerment.
Effective Communication
To communicate effectively, one must convey thoughts concisely, using simple language devoid of ambiguity. Non-verbal cues such as body language and tone also play a vital role. Active listening involves giving undivided attention to the speaker, asking clarifying questions, and providing feedback. Furthermore, empathy fosters understanding