Meet Kiara Johnson | Educator & Entreprenuer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Kiara Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kiara, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida with my mom and older sister. Being that we grew up in a single income house times were tough. We didn’t receive government assistance because my mother made just above the qualifying amount so you could imagine the struggle. But being poor is going to teach you 2 things, how to be humble and how to hustle. And those are 2 traits that caused me to be the person I am today. I know what it means to have to make something shake from very little and how to share and give when you do get up.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
By profession, I am a high school educator. Any educator you ask will let you know that no part of this career is easy, however just about everyday is worth it. Initially I looked into becoming a teacher for selfish reasons, I missed have summer breaks. But within 2 weeks of teaching, I knew that I wasn’t there by mistake, that it was a part of my purpose. It came with so many challenges but I faced them all head on because that’s really the only way to get through them, you’re going to see the same kids, with the same issues everyday so you can’t avoid. But it taught me so much along the way, you’ll never have the type of confidence to get in front of teenage kids everyday and teach them everything the world doesn’t want them to know daily, until you have to do it. So it made me super sure of myself and purpose. It also lead me to every business and non-profit I now own. I have multiple child-authors under my publishing company, a girls-mentoring group that are now in college and helped students launch their own business. Ultimately, my brand and businesses are always to help other and provide them a platform to showcase their abilities and talents. I learned this type of selflessness from my career as an Educator. It’s the best teacher.
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?
First stop would definitely be the Juicy Crab, they’re actually not everywhere so you have to put people on when they come. Aside from that, I would try to take them to all the most known spots including 5 Points, Stone Mountain, Tyler Perry Studios, Cascades, The Battery and a lot of restaurants along the way.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout out to my family. There are many awesome, helpful and inspiring people I’ve met in my life that have helped my journey. However, I would have never met any of them if it wasn’t for sacrifices my family has made. My mother, father, sister and grandparents have all been very influential so they deserve a huge shoutout.
Website: www.blackaroundthebloc.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackaroundthebloc_/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blackaroundthebloc/about/?viewAsMember=true
Other: Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/tt/app/black-around-the-bloc/id1460098035 Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mtechsolution.blackaroundthebloc
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