Today we’d like to introduce you to Dionne Johnson.
Dionne, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in a small town called Madison, Arkansas, like the woman I have admired for years: Dr. Maya Angelou. I am the 3rd of six children in my family and I have been writing poetry and stories since I was seven years old. I published my first materials in Arkansas when I was 17. Blah Blah Blah… (Laughs) You see, that’s why I normally do not do this, because it sounds like such a cliché, but oh well… it’s the truth. Why I started the podcast? A couple years back I was a guest on a show called Melanated Politics at Morris Media Studios. After finishing that show the owner handed me her card and I was pushed to do my own Podcast by the co=host of Melanated who is a great friend David Harper. So I started in that studio where I learned so much about creating show topics by the lovely Sheena Lester. I was there until COVID19. I already had a full studio at home so at the advice and help of friends I took lemons and made some great homemade lemonade because I believed in US! I believe in this country. I believed in this world. I believe that we are stronger than hate and that love will always TRUMPS hate! I always end my shows by saying, “knowledge is power, but love is everything.” This is the real Dionne Johnson. I am a Fighter for social justice, A people connector. Unfiltered and unapologetic.
In the midst of social injustice, inequality, poverty and homelessness, I’m here to have a no nonsense conversation with you about social issues, politics, health and wellness news, effective parenting strategies, what’s going on in LGBTQ circles, and so much more! I feel that that’s what the world needs, and I’m here to bring it to the table!
We can sugarcoat it, beat around the bush or simply ignore what’s going on, but I strongly believe that if we don’t call out wrong things will never change. It’s time we stand up, start taking care of each other and shout for all to hear that we’re here to fight for change!
Politics run through my veins. It was an enormous pleasure and an honor to work to get President Obama elected in 2012, and to support Hillary Clinton during the elections in 2016. Also EMILY’s List and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) play a huge part in my career.
Besides that, I’ve spent the last decade working with and for organizations that stand up for change and better living conditions. I’ve worked closely with the NAACP, Planned Parenthood, Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Doctors Without Borders and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Monterey Bay. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with environmental organizations like Sierra Club, the Art Institute of Chicago, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Greenpeace. I am also a proud supporter of Black Lives Matter.
All these experiences, plus my life experiences as a proud black gay woman, a mother of three sons and a grandmother of seven grandchildren, are the perfect ingredients for my show that informs, entertains and encourages everyone to take action.
Maya Angelou once said “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. I feel that so strongly and I am here to send out the message that we were put on this earth to be each other’s blessings. A beautiful addition to that is what Martin Luther King Jr. said: “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down other-centered men can build up”.
With that being said, the only thing that’s left to say about it is this: the journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step. If you believe in fighting injustice, inequality, homelessness and poverty, please tune in on Facebook or watch my shows on YouTube! (I’m Just Sayin TV) So please join the conversation, share your ideas. I can’t do this alone. Will you walk the steps with me?
Overall, has your journey so far been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Never smooth, there are always some struggles when you start something new. I had to learn to find my voice and I’m still learning. I had to learn to run my show, how to work to create my brand and how to fight to keep my brand. The hardest for me was when I didn’t get a lot of support from the people I called friends. Learning that made me realize I cannot let anything or anyone stop my sunshine. That I have to keep pushing through every letdown, and every small mistake has to motivate me to keep going and get better. A young friend once told me “I better be okay with sucking for a while if I want to become great at something.” So I would advise anyone starting something new and different to be okay with not being okay for a short time because that’s how it is before you will grow. Remember, “Ain’t no stopping sunshine?” I always struggle with “is this hard work and are those late nights and long days worth it? Is anyone watching? Do they get what I’m trying to do?” Then I realized that as long as I love what I’m doing and if I keep building and believing, my audience and true followers will come.
Please tell us more about the I’m Just Sayin’ Podcast!
The company is called SS. Dionne Productions. The Podcast is “I’m Just Sayin”. I have done over 60 shows now. Let me say “we” because I have a team of wonderful people that make this possible. We cover topics from Politics, Health, LGBTQ and Transgender, Domestic Abuse, How to start your business, Entertainment, COVID, and much more. To sum it up, I started this podcast with the hope of bringing knowledge about everything that would help people of all races and genders. I’m most proud that along the way God sent so many angels to help me through this journey. I have my co-host Sherri Onica Valle Cole, who has been a Prosecuting Attorney for over 16 years now, and on top of that a Civil Attorney and she was a candidate for Judge. She also has a degree in Bio Chemistry from Yale, so she brings all the interesting information about Law and COVID19. Besides that we have “Big Homie Quan”. He is a Radio Personality of Accelerated Radio’s “The Takeover” and on I’m Just Sayin’ he brings foremost the entertainment news.
My Social Media Director Marianne Cooper-van der Veen is my right-hand woman; make sure you check her out on www.mariannecoopervanderveen.com and on social media! Last but certainly not least, I could not do this without my rock and show manager Michelle King. I am most proud of the family that we have become and how we understand how important it is to spread the knowledge and love to the people. If you watch my show you will see that there is a lot of work put into graphics and a lot of details to make the show look polished. That’s the work of my tech-genius Michael Farmer, who works behind the scenes and sometimes late hours with me editing when we do shows like our Mother’s Day Special, Father’s Day Special and the 2020 graduation special, which is definitely a must-see because it was in honor of all graduates of all ages. I really think that what sets I’m Just Sayin’ apart is the vision and the work to make the podcast look more like a show instead of “just” a podcast!
Any shout outs? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My wife Yvette Johnson has been so supportive and patient and my biggest critic, but in the right way. Denise “Minns” Harris has inspired me in so many ways; she is the daughter of the late Al Minns, Founder and Creator of the Lindy Hop. Also, the great Blues and Jazz legend Barbara Morrison pulled me in and I had the pleasure of working with her when I first started this journey. She is as amazing in person as she is on stage. I learned so much from her about how to love what I do. The great La Faye Baker, stuntwomen in many movies, has reached out and taught me a lot about business and giving back. She has a wonderful organization called “Diamond in the Raw” and I admire the work she does for the young girls in the community. So if you get a chance please support the organization. Even Dula-Mite, a great rapper in Las Vegas, has been such an inspiration and friend to the show. Dula blessed me with my intro song for the show “Legends”. I listen to the song and it was love at first sound! He was a guest on my show and now he is a brother in my heart. And the amazing Olivia Walker “Just Liv”, Liv sings from the heart and you feel it. She is a real LA prodigy (Leimert Park) and has recently released her Album on Spotify and ITunes and the songs are amazing. Liv’s voice is Golden. I use her songs a lot in my credits and on shows. So please hit up Spotify or iTunes and Purchase “Just Liv. Thank You Liv for being genuine. Laron Daviston (Pierce) you are amazing just the way you are young man. You acknowledged and liked everyone of my social media post and showed true genuine support and for that I say “Thank You!
And “Wow” I had the wonderful David J. Johns on my show. He is the Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition and was appointed by President Barack Obama. His visit to the show was so uplifting and insightful I will forever treasure that interview! Oh and I must name Grace Yoo, who is a candidate for City Council of District 10 in Los Angeles. She has been so inspiring and such an awesome friend and a strong supporters the show! She is one hard-working woman who loves people and I follow her work ethic. But speaking largely, I stand on the shoulders of so many great writers, show hosts and motivational leaders who I take with me everyday when I come into this studio and begin to work. I believe that I owe it all to so many, if I began to name them I would not stop for at least a day. Honestly, for my time Oprah Winfrey did make me believe I could actually have a show. I was still in school when she stepped in front of America’s TV and I will forever remember that! My strongest supporters are my Mother Erma Jean Henderson and my three sons Cameron Henderson, Germaine and Jeremy Washington and also my heart niece-daughter Perkia Matthews Allen and my stepdaughter and friend motivator Aisha Sheffield. Isha made me chase a new dream. Anthony (Tony) Henson you are my brother from another mother and best friend for over a decade. Tony you are my personal motivator. You are the voice that always encourages me and lifts me up when I really needed it. Anthony Tony Henson I love you man. I thank God for bringing you into my life my brother. God, my Big Brother Gerald Matthews has never missed a show… WOW, now that’s support! I Love you Lloyd you were always my hero. Always!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dionnejohnson.com
- Phone: 310-651-4306
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ijsdionnejohnson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dionneijs.johnson
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DionneIjs
Image Credit:
Gruvy Graphics by Lamont Jordan. Thanks Lamont!
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