Meet Reginald ‘RJ’ Johnson | Creative Director & Mogul | Actor | Dancer

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

Hi Reginald ‘RJ’, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As a creative artist and entrepreneur, a lot of times self-care practices become a distant thought when your focus is solely on working and establishing your presence in the industry. Inward Discovery was created as a means to honor myself and others in the mental health space by committing to a life of total wellness.

Inward discovery is indeed a wellness hub for creative artists and entrepreneurs. The goal is to help heal from the inside out by tackling internal blocks that could potentially hinder individuals’ creative and professional development. We accomplish this through artist therapy, a groundbreaking wellness curriculum, personal and professional brand development, wellness summits, and annual conventions.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When it come to my art the words of Paul Robeson ring true! He states, “Artists are the gatekeepers of truth. We are civilization’s radical voice.”

I believe what sets me apart is my attention to care, value and respect of the craft that has unfortunately been compromised by the overly populated mass media influencers that we find in todays entertainment business. Everyone wants what’s trendy oppose to what may be best serving to the art.

I say this with the most humbling heart, not many individuals take the time to truly study the craft. Now don’t get me wrong, this isn’t always a bad thing as some people do posses raw innate talent. Nonetheless, In my humble opinion even with raw talent, an individual should always stay abreast of the business, and even the educational side of the performing arts and entertainment industry. I’ believe this is the reason I’ve been able to sustain and produce a career of longevity and integrity that people can trust because of my business acumen. Was this an easy task? No, but it wasn’t Really that challenging. I’ve always had clear perspective on how I saw my career going and I’ve also allowed space for God to always intervene / order my steps. However , normal challenges of being seen, and fully heard, have played a part in venturing into other avenues of the entertainment industry aside from me being just “the dancer.”

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way deals more with self worth as it relates to trusting my gifts and talents. If you aren’t careful you can indirectly allow space for people to prostitute your gift. I’ve had to stand on 1000% business when it comes to asking for my worth and even being okay with walking away from certain projects that aren’t aligned with me or feed my spirit.

When it come to legacy, my primary aim is to serve in love at the highest level, and to be a beacon of light and hope so other creative artists know that who they are and what they have to offer to the world is enough. We don’t have to overly perform to get people to see who we are. Our very existence is all the confirmation needed to be all that God has called us to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in the black mecca of the United States , Atlanta is the cream of the crop when it comes to all things Black Excellence. When I’m hosting a friend and want to show them a good time, I take them around to some of Atlanta’s many different food experiences. Being a vegan, I love elevated plant based spaces like Planta , Tabla, Hippy Hibachi, Bahel, and so many more. There are also many “hole in the wall” gems located in the Historic Westend District. I love amazing food and dining experiences that organically render good memories with people I love and those I’m getting to know. Atlanta has a lot of that to offer and more!

When it comes to hanging out, I reserve that for special milestone occasions, I enjoy to “Hang-In”. My favorite thing to do is host game nights and dinners at my home. Working in the entertainment business, you find that a lot of the social fun and networking consists of frequenting clubs with loud music. I like the balance of hosting things at my home where interactions can be more intimate. I also love to cook. I thoroughly enjoy peoples reactions as they fall in love with my vegan recipes.

While I enjoy entertaining in my home, I wouldn’t keep my friend cooped up all week. I would most likely take them around the city. Some things I enjoy include: Shows at the Fox Theatre , Center Stage, and City Winery. I’m also very fond of festivals and events held at Piedmont Park , The “Everyday People” musical events, open mic nights, underground black owned cafes, and most importantly, shopping !

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This is such a beautiful and important question. I’m someone who has had my hand in a bit of everything thus, there are so many people that rightfully deserves recognition in my story . First and foremost my beautiful and hard working mother. Had it not been for her endless sacrifices as a single parent, to my brother and I, I wouldn’t be half the man I am today.

My professional training in the arts started in the world of ballet, so I must acknowledge my teachers John Dennis and his wife who owned Greensboro Ballet company. They exposed a young 8yr old black boy, from the projects, to the magical world of live theatre.

Once I made it to high school, THE James B. Dudley High School to be exact, I had a drama teacher by the name of Ms. Paylor, who believed in my raw acting ability. Ms. Paylor was inadvertently responsible for me going to North Carolina A&T State University, where I studied professional theatre. One would say I followed in her footsteps a bit, as she too was a theatre major during her time at NC A&T, before becoming a teacher at Dudley High School.

On the topic of Dudley High School, I definitely have to give honor to the rich ancestral grounds of one of the 1st historically black high schools in Greensboro NC. Dudley provided a safe home to cultivate all my special gifts. Whether I was stepping as the captain of the national award winning step team, “UMOJA,” leading the marching band as drum major , or sharping my business and governing acumen as Mr. Dudley High School . These rolls cultivated a skill set which became not only talent but a way to impact my community. I am elated to be cut from great cloth of other giants that path the way for me.

Post graduating from Dudley High, I enrolled in NC A&T State University where those same attributes and skills as a leader expanded on a collegiate level. I became the 1st Mr.Freshman in the institutions history serving under the 1st ever Mr. North Carolina A&T, followed by becoming Mr. Sophomore the next year and a member of the multifaceted production organization ‘Couture Productions.’ These student ran organizations allowed me to cultivate my creative skills in a way that has totally shaped me as the artist I am today. I continued my endeavors by becoming the 4th Mr. North Carolina A&T State University and the 1st ever to win the national title as Mister HBCU 2013-2014.

Once I left college, I wrote and produced a traveling one man show under my title as Mister HBCU. I performed on campuses along the east coast and landed in Atlanta GA, where I was picked up by an agency, which jump started my professional career as a creative artist and entrepreneur.

All and all, so many people, places, things and ideas constantly contribute to my story. I believe the arts life and inspiration, as a means to add value to a person, are harmonious and equally deserves recognition.

Instagram: personal – @rjnathaniel company – @inwarddiscovery

Facebook: Reginald N. Johnson