We recently connected with John Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
John, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
A huge risk involves a very recent time in my life. To tell the entire story would be too long but some highlights would be that this was the highest paying, most benefits providing, and highest level achieved position that I had ever had out of college. I had the opportunity to play a front-line leadership and supervisory role where I possessed a wide range of responsibility. Noticing quick the level of authority but also speculation, overwhelm, stress, and so much more that this came with, I knew it wasn’t for me. However, I couldn’t just upright and leave right away because of my commitment level along with my financial situation and not to mention…this was a job that provided hefty perks such as housing and a meal plan!
Fast forward to 2 and a half years later (8 months only with this specific role) I decided that my happiness, fulfillment and overall well-being were more important than ANY salary, check, or benefits package that ANY company or job could ever offer. I truly believed and still do that although my talents and skillset were undervalued at the jobs I worked, that I was indeed invaluable. I realized that despite the extreme pressures placed on me, I didn’t have to connect my job performance to my overall sense of worth. I decided to choose ME for once instead of all of the people I worked so hard to help in my roles which I will never regret. I wish I could say I had things all planned out and I had a nice place to move into and another life-fulfilling job to step into after making this decision, but I didn’t. All I had was my life experience, skills thus far, and a bunch of frustration, uncertainty, and my gut feeling that I deserved better…and sometimes that’s all you need. Once I felt I had endured enough, I decided to resign…I took the leap and chose myself. This was a huge risk because all other roads were pointing to sticking to “what I knew” and just sucking it up to continue “business as usual” since that was the path of “least resistance” but I still chose to take the opposite. Stay optimistic!
John, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am originally from Brooklyn, NY. My mom is originally from Trinidad & Tobago where she was born in Arima and a lot of close family I grew up with were from Jamaica and Venezuela as well so I grew up with a variety of culture and vibes. I am the oldest male within a family of 8 siblings raised by a strong mother. Coming out of High school in Brooklyn in 2015, I began my first year of college at Sage College of Albany through the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). This opportunity afforded me to achieve a number of accomplishments throughout my time there. Graduating right into the pandemic, life took a rocky turn trying to get established and find my next steps, but through that journey I have gained a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and experience by using the hurdles and challenges I faced and continue to face along the way.
Growing up in church, public speaking first started for me on the pulpit. I originally started preaching and making my own sermons at the age of 14 years old. This was big for me as speaking in front of mostly adults way older than me was tough but definitely helped to build my confidence and audience awareness. As I grew up, my love and passion for the art continued until I started to take it more seriously. This is when I did more research, asked more questions, paid more attention, and started getting in front of more people. Additionally, my mom and older sister, Tamika always made sure to pour into me with high expectations and caring spirits as well as what they believed God’s purpose for me was. In other words, they always remembered to remind me of who I was. This type of support manifested into me applying my own self along my journey and continues to encourage me to step more into who I truly am to this day.. Over time, one of the ways this has evolved is by motivating and inspiring youth and young people alike to be their best selves while sharing my story.
I currently provide lectures, lead workshops and facilitated dialogues as well as keynote speak for a range of events. I enjoy assisting youth and other individuals alike with life coaching and mentoring. I help individuals and groups alike to learn more about what their perspective towards their life is and then how they may be able to enhance or turn that perspective around based on what they want. What I think sets me apart from others is the unique experience I have and continue to go through growing up as a male of color raised by a single mom with a number of accomplishments, one of which to be the first-generation college graduate and then my experience after college and getting into the real world. What also sets me apart is truly my perspective and outlook and my ability to “connect all of the dots” if you will. I am most proud of being alive, still progressing, and still being able to share the story despite the hardships and adversity. The main things I want potential clients and supporters to know about me is that I am dedicated to helping others which stems from the love and care that I have for myself. I am striving to be better and believe in a very high level of customer service after having worked in that field for over 5 years. Feel free to follow me on Instagram @prince_john_john where you can find the link to a lot of my visual content as well as stay up to date for future updates.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Yes, a story that illustrates this would be directly after I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in December of 2019. I had just enrolled for my Master’s Degree in Communications. Shortly after, I noticed that the program wasn’t the right fit for me and upon trying to change my major, I was met with a range of obstacles and setbacks. I never got to change my major because of different protocols and what not presented by the University and I ended up dropping out. Very shortly after, the pandemic hit and the rest is history, as we know. During this time though as a fresh graduate looking to make steps into the real world, I experienced a huge change of plans. I had just graduated at the top of my game believing that I had it altogether with thoroughly planned out steps with connections and resources to back it up. However, my life changed when I was met with the exact opposite of what I had planned.
As a result of the pandemic, all students were asked to vacate campus and return back home. At this point, after leaving grad school, where I was looking to pursue a job on campus that would provide housing, I was forced to back-pedal a bit, when I realized I was unable to change my major. That said, I reached out to my close friend, Malik, who was approved to stay on campus awhile, if I could bunk with him for the meantime. Thankfully, Malik said yes and as life would have it, I stayed on that couch for 8 months before I could get my own apartment. At the time, this was the most life-changing moment that had happened to me. I’ve never been one to quit anything so that hurt, and the last place I thought I’d be at at this point was back on my undergraduate campus. Nonetheless, through this time I kept real, trustworthy people close and also got to learn a ton about myself. This time in my life taught me more about patience, blind faith, resilience and so much more! At the end of all of this, I was met with my first professional career opportunity offering me a leadership job position and housing as well. Stay optimistic.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding part about being an artist and creative is the ability to connect all that I create to life itself. The flow that the two have is truly beautiful. It provides for a fulfilling and divine experience no matter what it is. I also find it rewarding to be in a space where there are no limits. Art is the one thing that has practically no rules to it…be free! People often say art imitates life and if that is the case, then imagine how many shapes art can take the form of. When I think of being an artist, I think of being free to create and share but also to live and blend. I think of the feelings I’ve seen from people who have enjoyed or appreciated my art. I look at the way some have asked “is spoken word art?” or “I love your spoken word, I really felt your words and can connect with the line where you said…” Moments like these remind me why the gifts we have were given to us. To me, being the artist and creative that I am is more spiritual than anything and that’s special. All thanks be to the Most High. God is gracious.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prince_john_john/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@youngoptimist6952
Image Credits
-Sherwin Bentick and “S.b. images” -Bigger Vision Photos