We caught up with the brilliant and insightful The Mel Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
The Mel, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
The experience of being the only one in the room who looks like you is often described as isolating and challenging, but it can also be empowering. My journey as one of the few Black food bank founders has been filled with ups and downs, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. Trusting in God has been my anchor and compass, helping me stay focused on the mission He has called me to. This unwavering faith reminds me that if God called me here, then this is precisely where I need to be—serving as a vessel for change and impact.
One of the defining aspects of my mission at The StoreHouse is to serve nutrition in love. That means staying committed to offering fresh foods instead of canned goods, despite the fact that the latter might be cheaper or logistically simpler. It’s this commitment to quality and well-being that sets us apart. At the end of the day, it’s not about taking the easy path but about fulfilling the divine assignment that has been laid before me.
Here’s how I’ve learned to be effective and successful in this position:
1. Leverage the Unique Perspective: Being different often means you bring a unique perspective to the table. I use my background and understanding of the specific struggles faced by my community to advocate for more targeted and effective solutions.
2. Build Alliances: No one succeeds alone. It’s important to find allies who understand and support your mission. Even if they don’t share your background, they can share your goals. For The StoreHouse, we’ve partnered with other non-profits and local businesses to expand our reach and resources.
3. Stay True to Your Mission: Getting sidetracked or discouraged is easy, especially when you’re in the minority. Staying focused on our core mission, “to serve nutrition in love,” has helped me navigate through the distractions and challenges.
4. Be Unapologetically You: Early on, there can be pressure to conform to what others expect a leader should look or act like. I’ve learned that authenticity resonates with people far more than a polished facade. Being true to myself has not only been liberating but also instrumental in forming genuine connections that help to move our mission forward.
5. Educate and Elevate: Often, being the only one in the room who looks like you means you become the educator by default. While this can be burdensome, it’s also an opportunity to elevate the conversation and make real change. Through my work and my ministries, I’ve had the chance to shed light on systemic issues affecting our community, from food insecurity to spiritual healing.
6. Lead with Confidence and Competence: I’ve learned to back up my unique perspective with data, research, and a well-thought-out plan. This helps to counteract any implicit biases and positions me as a leader, not just a diversity checkbox.
7. Self-Care: Being the only one can be draining. I make sure to take time for myself to recharge spiritually, mentally, and physically. This not only sustains me but also ensures that I’m bringing my best self to the work I do.
Being one of the few Black founders in the food bank space has its challenges, but I take them as they come, embracing the opportunities to make a meaningful impact. At The StoreHouse and beyond, I will continue making Kingdom impact, serving families, fostering community alliances, and expanding our outreach to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
At the core of what I do is The StoreHouse, a food distribution and community resource center based in Lanham, MD. We are more than just a pantry; we serve as a hub that supports other nonprofits in their mission to feed and sustain communities. Our focus is on fresh foods, aligning with our mission to serve nutrition in love. To date, we’ve served over 10,000 families in the DMV area and have even expanded with a satellite location in Columbia, SC.
What’s truly exciting about our work is the community’s response and how we’ve been able to pivot from being a single location to supporting other nonprofits. We’re growing, and we are now in the position to reach communities beyond our original scope.
We distribute fresh foods to about 1,000 families per month, and we hold these distributions on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. We encourage everyone to register on our website www.themeljohnson.org to participate.
Beyond food distribution, I am also a Prophetess. My spiritual assignment is to free the People and birth purpose in women. I’ve recently launched our praise, prayer, and miracles international ministry under Hand of God Deliverance Ministries, continuing my father’s legacy.
My brand, The Mel Johnson, embodies all these endeavors. It’s not just about one aspect of community service or spiritual leadership; it’s a holistic approach to elevating people—body, mind, and spirit.
As for what’s new, we’re continually looking for opportunities to expand. We aim to plant StoreHouse locations all across the nation, and for that, we’re actively seeking financial support. Donations are accepted through various platforms, which can be found on our website.
Our work is a labor of love and faith. I’m a 13-year stroke survivor, and I see every day as a gift and an opportunity to make a difference. We’re committed to our mission and would love the community’s support in helping us grow and serve more people in need. Thank you for allowing me to share my story, and I invite everyone to join us on this beautiful journey.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back at my journey, there are three pivotal qualities that have guided me:
Faith: This has been the cornerstone of everything I do. My unwavering faith in God has given me the strength to overcome adversity and the wisdom to navigate challenges. It reminds me that even when things seem impossible, with God, all things are possible.
Advice: Build a strong foundation of faith through consistent prayer, study, and spiritual community. This will serve as your anchor when you encounter storms along the way.
Resilience: As a 13-year stroke survivor, I’ve had to demonstrate immense resilience both in my personal life and in the running of The StoreHouse. There will always be setbacks and failures; resilience is what enables you to rise again, stronger and wiser than before.
Advice: Be prepared to face hardships, but also equip yourself mentally and emotionally to bounce back. Surround yourself with a supportive network, learn from your setbacks, and always keep pushing forward.
Community Focus: Understanding the needs of the community has been crucial. This is not just about serving food; it’s about providing resources and empowering people. It’s about being in tune with what the community actually needs.
Advice: Spend time engaging with your target community. Understand their needs deeply, and listen more than you speak. Tailoring your approach based on real, felt needs will not only make your endeavor more effective but also create a lasting impact.
For those early in their journey, whether in nonprofit work, ministry, or any other venture, invest time and effort in cultivating these qualities. Your faith will sustain you, your resilience will propel you, and your focus on community will guide you in making meaningful, impactful choices. Don’t rush the process; every challenge and opportunity is a stepping stone to your ultimate calling.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely, collaboration is essential for us to expand our reach and impact. We are actively seeking to partner with:
Corporate Sponsors: Companies that align with our mission and values can provide significant resources to help us grow and sustain our initiatives.
Community Leaders: Individuals who have a strong presence in their communities can help us better understand local needs and tailor our offerings accordingly.
Nutrition and Health Experts: Given our focus on fresh foods and nutrition, collaborating with experts in these fields would be invaluable.
Other Nonprofits: Partnerships with other organizations will allow us to share resources, information, and support, amplifying the impact each of us can make.
Artists and Influencers: Those with a strong following can help bring awareness to our cause and contribute to our growth through various campaigns and initiatives.
Faith-Based Organizations: As faith is central to our mission, we welcome partnerships with churches, ministries, and other religious organizations focused on community upliftment.
If you’re interested in collaborating with us, there are several ways to connect:
Website: Visit www.themeljohnson.org to learn more about our work and find our contact details.
Social Media: Reach out to us on social media platforms. @themeljohnson and @tmjistorehouse
Email: For more formal partnerships or detailed proposals, you can email us directly, at [email protected].
By joining forces, we can do so much more than any of us could achieve individually. We’re excited about the prospect of new partnerships and are open to innovative ways to serve our communities better.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.themeljohnson.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themeljohnson
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/themeljohnson
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themeljohnson/
- Email: For more formal partnerships or detailed proposals, you can email us directly, at [email protected].
- Other: www.facebook.com/tmjistorehouse
Image Credits
TRISOGRAPHY FLIX & ART DESIGNS
