Meet Tracy Johnson | Magazine Publisher, Photographer, Philanthropist & Change Agent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tracy Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tracy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

Hi Voyageatl, and thanks for having me back! Absolutely. In order to understand where my journey has led me, it’s important to first understand where it all began. So, here we go…I started Haute Pink Mustard Seed, a quarterly magazine which honors the faces of resilient women back in 2019. At the time, I was just a freelance photographer based here in Atlanta. This path wasn’t exactly one that I always knew I would follow; I kind of stumbled into photography during my sophomore year at Spelman College.

The more I shot and developed my craft, the more fascinated I became with being able to capture more than just a photo, and soon fell in love with the art of visual storytelling. Getting to know the quintessence of some of the women I’ve had the opportunity to photograph really intrigued me. I honestly would never have guessed that many had overcome such heightened adversity.

Despite the pain, disappointments and agonies of life, these women never wore the residue of past traumas on their faces. All I ever witnessed was a whole lot of strength, determination and resilience! This, to me, is the essence of beauty and why I wanted to expand my platform to highlight these unsung superwomen to the world, and motivate others while doing so.

I knew it would possibly be a daunting task starting a new print magazine with a small, self-funded budget, but I was determined. The first thing I did was pray. I did lots of praying and lots of affirming as I explored my own motivations. I already knew that the topic I was most interested in was ‘RESILIENCE.” Once I had the basic fundamentals down, I stepped out on faith, or got out of the boat as they sometimes say. I was eagerly excited to produce a magazine showcasing my photography and highlighting faces of resilience for other like-minded people?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a creative being by nature. I have always been attracted to art forms which allow me to fully express my talents and capabilities – particularly when it comes to helping inspire and motivate others. I find it very rewarding when I’m able to uplift the next person and offer opportunities that may not have ever been known to them. This level of empowerment, love and wanting to see everyone win is what keeps me busy professionally. I’m always trying to figure ways to improve and make the issues and opportunities better, and that is the driving force behind the brand Haute Pink Mustard Seed.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh goodness! I’m a food enthusiast for sure; I love good eats! Atlanta is filled with so many incredible dining options – depending on the desired taste buds at the time. Let’s see…one of my favorite places to eat from is Taqueria del Sol on Howell Mill Rd. I eat there at least once a week. They have the best fish tacos and cheese dip EVER!! For a more city-chic atmosphere with live music I would suggest checking out Sage Woodfire Tavern at Perimeter. It’s a cool vibe and the food is delicious! For pizza lovers, I would definitely recommend Slim & Husky’s. The Real Milk and Honey in College Park has amazing food and a cool little atmosphere. The deep fried salmon and key lime waffles is a ‘must try,’ and if you want to keep it simple and grab a burger, visit the Slutty Vegan or check out Taco Pete in East Point. Their turkey cheese burger all-the-way will make you a fan!

In terms of things to do, I’m a true Thrift Queen! I absolutely love treasure hunting at the many different thrift stores and consignment shops here in Atlanta. For those who aren’t quite as passionate about thrift shopping as I am, there are a multitude of malls and boutiques here. I’d definitely suggest visiting the downtown historic district which you can tour by trolley. All in all, Atlanta is full of everything you need in order to not get bored. Eat good, be safe and have fun!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many can be credited for helping me get to where I am today. From the countless contributions that my parents Joe & Mary Ann gave and still give; to the love and support I get on a daily basis from my number one fans, Demetris -my son and Rachel -my daughter; my Boo who supports my dreams no matter how outrageous they sound; a few solid mentors, my close circle of trusted friends & loved ones who continuously encourage me to grow & glow; deans and professors who went that extra mile for me; my staff; advertisers and all of the unsung SHEroes who have allowed me to share their stories with the world. They all deserve credit for helping me achieve what I have so far and get to where I am today with this magazine. Collectively, they push me to be better today than I was yesterday, so I send this well-deserved shoutout to all of them! Blessed and heavy on the gratitude!

Website: www.HautePinkMustardSeedMagazine.com

Instagram: Haute Pink Mustard Seed Magazine

Linkedin: Tracy Johnson

Facebook: Tracy Photojournalist Johnson

Image Credits
Rebekah Bills Jonathan Jones