Meet Ericka Johnson

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ericka Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ericka, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

For most of my journey, I have been “the only one in the room who looks like me whether I was the youngest one, the only person of color, or simply the only woman, which happens more often than not in my field. I have learned to embrace being the only one. A Black woman. Young. Bold. Unapologetically authentic. But I learned early on that ‘being the only’ didn’t mean I didn’t belong. It just meant I had the responsibility—and the power—to shift the atmosphere. When you look at this difference as a power play rather than a limitation, you move differently.

Because of this, I had to be excellent, I had to be vocal, and I had to be strategic. I learned to read the room and still stand firm in my identity. I studied the systems while staying grounded in my story. I learned to listen actively, which has transformed my emotional intelligence. Initially, I thought I had to code-switch, which I did for many years. I now know that I have to become disruptive without being insulting. I enter the room saying, “This may be a bit uncomfortable, so get comfortable being uncomfortable”. I have learned to point out what makes me different one in the room and why they need me there. I made space by taking space.

Every room I enter, I bring with me my grandmother’s prayers, my community’s hope, and my students’ futures. That weight could’ve broken me. Instead, it built a fire in me. I’ve made it my mission to not just be the only one, but to make sure I’m never the last one. Success for me isn’t about fitting in; it’s about opening the door wide enough for others to walk through.”

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Dr. Ericka Johnson, a transformational leadership strategist, author, speaker, and CEO of Imagine That Consulting. Raised in Dallas, Texas, I’ve made it my mission to help leaders heal, grow, and lead boldly, with both heart and strategy. My brand is rooted in legacy, purpose, and impact. I work alongside individuals and organizations to move them from dysfunction to alignment, from surviving to thriving, and from reacting to leading with intention.

At Imagine That Consulting, we offer more than services—we deliver transformation. Our signature 3-phase approach is designed to walk leaders through sustainable culture shifts. From executive coaching to culture audits to our powerful Leadership Therapy framework, we help teams rebuild trust, embrace healthy conflict, commit to shared goals, hold each other accountable, and stay focused on results that matter.

I’m especially excited about the launch of She Leads, a bold, new community of women helping women. We are curating spaces where women can be vulnerable, be heard, and be uplifted by other women who understand the journey and the struggle. Our goal is to share networks, amplify voices, and create room at the table for every sister who dares to lead. Our inaugural event kicks off this January, starting the year by focusing on our physical health, because wellness is the foundation of how we show up as leaders.

We’re also rolling out the From Substitute to Superintendent e-course, based on my book of the same name. It’s a dynamic and honest guide to transformational leadership, created to equip rising leaders with real-world tools, reflection prompts, and lessons I learned on the front lines of education.

Whether I’m speaking on stages, consulting with school boards, or mentoring emerging leaders, my mission remains the same: to build courageous leaders who transform spaces, not just occupy them, because our kids can’t wait to learn.

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, the three qualities that have most deeply shaped my journey are my Faith in God, Courage, and Emotional Intelligence.

Faith in God – I didn’t get here on strategy alone. I got here on faith. There were moments when the plan didn’t make sense, when the funds were low, and the doors were shut—but God always made a way. My steps have been ordered, and my purpose has been protected. To anyone early in their journey: stay rooted. Stay prayed up. God’s timing is the best business plan you’ll ever have.

Courage – I’ve had to make bold moves in rooms where I wasn’t always welcomed, speak up when silence was safer, and walk away from titles that didn’t align with my purpose. Courage is the reason I kept going when it was hard, when it was lonely, when it didn’t make sense to anyone else but me. My advice? Do it afraid. Courage doesn’t mean you’re not scared; it means you move anyway.

Emotional Intelligence – Leadership is not about position; it’s about connection. The ability to listen, regulate emotions, build trust, and hold space for others has been a game-changer in how I lead. Whether I’m supporting dysfunctional teams or coaching high-level executives, emotional intelligence is the bridge between chaos and clarity. My advice: Know yourself so well that you can lead others without losing your peace.

These three qualities— faith, courage, and emotional depth—are the anchors that carried me from Substitute to Superintendent, and now I use them to help others rise, too.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely! I believe collaboration is the new currency. I’m always looking to connect with aligned individuals and organizations who are committed to impact, equity, and legacy-driven leadership.

I’m especially looking to collaborate with:

Women leaders ready to pour into other women through She Leads—sharing their network, their voice, and their vulnerability in a space built on sisterhood and support.

School districts, small business owners, and corporate teams seeking transformation through strategic planning, professional learning, and my Leadership Therapy approach for dysfunctional teams.

Event organizers and media platforms are looking for bold, authentic voices to speak on leadership, equity, education reform, and resilience. I am always looking to share my voice and inspire and encourage others.

Faith-driven entrepreneurs and visionaries who understand that our work is a calling, and are building businesses, books, and brands that make room for God.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “She’s Speaking My Language,” also the title of our new podcast being released soon, then let’s connect. Visit www.dr-erickaj-ohnson.com

, find me on all social media outlets @DrErickaJohnson, or email me directly at [email protected].

Let’s do transformational work together because kids can’t wait. Communities can’t wait, and neither can your calling.

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