We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sacoiya Johnson. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Sacoiya, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Outside of work. I am finding joy in helping others through activism and volunteer work. Fighting for improvements to a local library that is rich in history and also doing mutual aid.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Sacoiya Johnson and I am the founder of Tee Chick. It started as a way of reigniting my love for fashion. It has since rolled into providing creative services such as website design, social media post creation, and logo designs. My love for community is woven into my business through donating and showing up in any way that I can as an individual. More recently I attended an ICE event as a vendor and donated 30% of my profits to two organizations that support those effected by raids and currently being held without legal representation or no basic needs being fulfilled.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I was around the age of 6. In second grade. That was when I realized that I did not have to accept the information I was given in school without question. I learned about Christopher Columbus on Columbus Day. We were reading the story about how he discovered The Americas. Some would say “The New World”. In the process of reading, I realized that the Native people had not come to the land WITH the pilgrims. But were instead ALREADY THERE. They had to learn from the Native people. How to hunt, cook, and live off the land. This is what I read. But I immediately questioned my teacher, Mrs. Williams once the reading concluded. “How did Christopher Columbus discover America, if the Indians (a term used before Native/Indigenous) were already here?” She had no rebuttal, and I felt not only intelligent, but like I could take on the world and challenge anything that made me question it.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I started writing poetry in middle school. With my pencil and paper, I could say all that I held in and struggled to vocalize. People knew of my pain, my joys, my doubts, and plain thoughts when I simply asked them to have a look at what I wrote down. As I got older, I became a lot bolder and felt valid in my feelings. Writing those poems helped mold me in so many ways and led to me stretching my writing into stories and journaling about my feelings. I find the ability to express yourself is a powerful tool in this life.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
How can we get anything right if we assume that knowing enough to be called an expert translates to knowing everything?
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I could give everything my best without praise. Because giving my best is not for show. I give my best because I care.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopTeeChick?msockid=223fe03eb2d868db38daf62eb3ba690e
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teechickaroo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sacoiya-johnson-24a608242
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teechickshopping/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
