We were lucky to catch up with Tammy Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tammy, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
I hope that my legacy will be that I was an advocate for the members of my community who did not have a voice. My belief that giving individuals the access to education and teaching them how to advocate for themselves in turn led to a community of empowered individuals.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am the Founder and Executive Director of Empowering the Masses. With over 22 years of experience in the education and medical field, I founded Empowering the Masses based on my own experiences.
Growing up as a child in a disadvantaged environment, my family lacked access to basic nutrition, educational opportunities, and a positive environment. This cycle continued into my teens when I became a teenage mother.
While this may seem like a detour on some people’s paths, this actually helped to put me back on track. With no income or access to health insurance, I was sent to a social worker and told to apply for Medicaid.
While sitting in the Dallas County Health and Human Services waiting room, I saw too much familiarity with how I grew
up in the faces of those around me. It was in that waiting room that I saw a sign that changed my life. The sign read “Your grandmother was on public assistance and your mother too, when will the cycle end?” That was the moment I decided to end the pattern of generational poverty, and I made a vow that my children would never go hungry or not have their basic needs met.
In addition to my role as the Founder and Executive Director of Empowering the Masses, I am a wife and mother, also an Adjunct professor for Dallas college in the Continuing Education Department where I teach a wide variety of courses and certifications, ranging from Phlebotomy to EKG Tech, Community Health Worker to Patient Care Technician. I love encouraging my students to look past their current situation and I use my own personal experiences growing up as a way to relate to and motivate them.
Any advice for managing a team?
My advice would be, get to know your players and know what motivates them and what is important to them. Because your people are your biggest asset. Challenge them and at the same time celebrate them. Make sure that your leadership styles are comparable to the goal. Survey and evaluate regularly to maintain growth and motivation.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
My business partner is my amazing husband, Pastor Leonard Johnson. he believed in me when I approached him in 2017 with my vision of founding my non-profit Empowering the Masses. I told him that everything that I have ever experienced was meant for me to use as a tool to help my community.
He was my first and most faithful donor. He has always believed in me. He supports me in every way that a spouse should. In the middle of the night when I want to talk about my ideas and dreams to serve our community, he always provides a listening ear. When I have no other volunteers he is there. My first supporter, my first cheerleader, He pushes me in those moments when I feel discouraged.
I don’t know who or where I would be without my family. My children are so amazing they encourage me to keep going. I have 6 -3 girls and 3 boys. They tell me that I inspire them to serve and change the world. I am truly blessed.
I am surrounded by so much love and support. This is the only way that I am able to move and serve because of those who support and love me without judgment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.empoweringthemasses.org/
- Instagram: @empoweringthemasses
- Youtube: Empowering the Masses
Image Credits
N/A provided by ETM