Navigating Leadership: Being Present and Being Seen

In this episode, Debra Johnson, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), details the life experiences that have taught her why EDIB principles matter—in the workplace and in our personal interactions.

From her younger years in the South Side of Chicago to her pioneering work with notable figures like Carol Mosley Braun, Pete Buttigieg, and Bobby Rush, Debra offers candid reflections on the challenges and triumphs of navigating leadership roles while advocating for racial equity.

Along with hosts Tina Wright-Ervin and Alex Figueroa, Debra argues for the importance of having a sounding board, making your presence felt and, ultimately, the power of creating warm, welcoming spaces for leaders of color.