We were lucky to catch up with Tonja Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tonja, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

3 important lessons learned from my prior job is your position/job doesn’t define who you are. Your value is not tied to your position/job. Always have integrity to do the right thing even when no one is watching you.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a mother of one adult daughter, married to my husband Jesse. I am the founder and Executive Director of Beautifully Unblemished Vitiligo Support Group, Inc. We provide resources and support for individuals and their families who are living with Vitiligo throughout the state of Florida. Our goal is to provide tools and resources for individuals to have a better quality of life. Building self- esteem, providing information about treatment options, research updates, and being the voice to the voiceless in our advocating efforts. I am most proud that I looked beyond my own pain and frustration of being diagnosed with Vitiligo to help someone else and in the process of helping others heal and learn to love themselves, I have been able to begin the process of healing and loving myself. I want individuals to know that no matter what situation you face in life, you are in control of you. You get to make the decisions about you and how you succeed in life. No diagnosis, no person, or situation defines you.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Being diagnosed with Vitiligo, going through severe depression, suicidal ideations, and feeling so isolated due to the loss of my beautiful black skin. The emotional and psychological effects of living with Vitiligo and learning to love myself through the toughness and difficulty has definitely made me resilient. I no longer hate what I look like, I love the skin I am in and I was able to create a support group to help others love the skin they are in and in doing this, Beautifully Unblemished has given me life, inspiration, motivation, and most of all self-confidence.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

If I could go back, I would choose the same profession of human services, helping others has always been who I am. Ensuring that individuals are receiving the services to equip them to be successful and self-sustaining. Working in human services gives me the opportunity to serve individuals who are less fortunate or have had some bad breaks along the way. I never want to think or feel that I am better than anyone else, because you never know what situations will come your way and who you will need along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beautifullyunblemished.com 
• Instagram: instagram.com/tonja_johnson48 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/tonja.johnson.12 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonja-johnson-6b22225b
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TonjaJo46091284
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@tonjaljohnson

Image Credits
Ginger Williams Photography and Gregory Malvoisin Photography