Alencia Johnson: Education, Career, and Impact at the Intersection of Social Justice and Culture Change
Introduction
Alencia Johnson stands as a prominent figure at the intersection of social justice and culture change. Her career, rooted in a strong educational foundation, has spanned corporate, political, and non-profit sectors, establishing her as a highly sought-after strategist, advisor, and cultural commentator. This article explores Alencia Johnson's educational background, her diverse professional experiences, and her significant contributions to social impact and cultural transformation.
Educational Foundation: Christopher Newport University
Alencia Johnson's journey began with a solid educational foundation at Christopher Newport University (CNU), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Leadership Studies. She credits her time at CNU as pivotal in developing her leadership skills and shaping her into the person she is today. “I really honed in and developed my leadership skills here,” said Johnson, smiling as she talked about her alma mater. Choosing to attend Christopher Newport, Johnson said, turned out to be one of the best decisions of her life and it is still paying dividends as she continues her ascent to the top.
During her time at CNU, Johnson actively engaged in various social, academic, and extracurricular activities. She studied abroad in China and completed internships at news stations in Norfolk and Washington, DC. “There were limitless opportunities for me to get involved. Being at CNU, the world was my oyster,” said Johnson. She fondly recalls her involvement in numerous organizations and the unwavering support she received from faculty, staff, and classmates, even amidst disagreements. “I like to tell folks, I was always making good trouble on campus. “I was in so many different organizations and I had so much support when I was here from (former) President Paul Trible, the faculty and staff, and my classmates - even if we disagreed on some things, which we did quite often,” she said. “CNU really instilled so many values of being a holistic person and making contributions to the world.
Johnson acknowledges that her education at CNU instilled in her the importance of collaboration with individuals holding diverse opinions and the ability to respectfully disagree while remaining committed to taking action. “A lot of what I learned on campus at CNU was the importance of being able to work with people of differing opinions and how to agree to disagree when you’re really passionate about something,” Johnson said. “But you have to move those beliefs into action. She also learned to juggle so many different responsibilities,” she said. “I came in as a business major, which is so laughable because that is not who I am. She emphasizes the confidence CNU instilled in her to explore various opportunities. “It’s important for us to try anything and everything,” she said. “CNU gave me the confidence to do that.
Early Career and Political Engagement
Alencia Johnson's career trajectory reflects a commitment to social responsibility and political engagement. She began her professional journey at GEICO’s corporate headquarters, where she executed the company’s social responsibility communications. At one point, Johnson thought she wanted to be a news anchor. She started in corporate communications at GEICO, then got her chance to dive head first into the world of politics, working on President Obama’s re-election campaign.
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In 2012, Alencia served on the campaign to re-elect President Barack Obama, managing surrogate and influencer strategies. After graduation, Johnson worked for the campaigns of Presidents Obama and Biden and presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). She honed her skills in media strategy and community engagement, working with prominent Black leaders, including White House staff, Democratic party officials, members of Congress, clergy, actors, artists, and civil rights leaders. She learned that sometimes the messenger is more important than the message.
Following her work on President Obama’s re-election campaign, Alencia transitioned to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where she spent six years engaging political, media, entertainment, and corporate organizations and influencers to promote positive and inclusive perceptions of gender equity and women’s rights.
Planned Parenthood: Championing Gender Equity and Women's Rights
During her tenure at Planned Parenthood, Alencia Johnson played a pivotal role in shaping the organization's approach to cultural and social justice issues. She was the architect behind Planned Parenthood’s “Stand With Black Women” branding and framework, developed the framework for Planned Parenthood’s engagement with broader social justice issues, and managed cultural partnerships including the WNBA, SXSW, Sundance Film Festival, Essence Music Festival and more. Alencia was the architect behind Planned Parenthood’s “Stand With Black Women” branding and framework, developed the framework for Planned Parenthood’s engagement with broader social justice issues, and managed cultural partnerships including the WNBA, SXSW, Sundance Film Festival, Essence Music Festival and more. Dominique Fluker: Share your process on how you created the Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s Constituency Communications department. Johnson: When I started at Planned Parenthood, we no longer had a director of African-American media or Latino media. However, a couple of us focused our roles as press officers on engaging these communities because of the importance of improving healthcare outcomes among women of color. As women of color ourselves we say the importance and the need. After two years, I wanted the communications team to dive deeper into authentic communications strategies to engage communities with overlapping identities, and I also wanted to grow as a professional with more responsibilities. I pitched to the vice president at the time a constituency communications department that would engage black and Latino communities, LGBTQ folks, young people, and people of faith. After about a year or so as assistant director and a team of one, there was a need for expansion. One of my colleagues at the time was a press officer who had taken on the work of Latino media and was seeking a promotion. We talked about joining forces and creating an actual team together to expand the work. She became assistant director of Latino media and I became director of constituency communications. About a year later, as the organization continued to invest in the work, the team expanded to four people with the hiring of two communications officers -- all of whom are women of color. I moved into the public engagement role due to the desire to understand the broader brand and communications strategies -- and with the department has grown so much, I felt confident to step into my new role with my colleague who was spearheading Latino media being promoted to the director of that team. Her work at Planned Parenthood focused on engaging communities with overlapping identities, including Black and Latino communities, LGBTQ folks, young people, and people of faith.
Alencia emphasized the importance of family planning for millennials, highlighting Planned Parenthood's role in providing essential reproductive health care services to millions of people each year. Johnson: Being able to decide when, if and how you will have children - essentially, family planning - is significantly important for millennials who at this point in our lives, are making important decisions about our families, our careers, our health, and our futures. Each year Planned Parenthood serves 2.4 million people - that’s more than 8,000 a day - with basic reproductive health care like cancer screenings, birth control, STD testing and treatment, regular checkups, and safe, legal abortion. She also addressed the disparities in healthcare access and outcomes faced by marginalized communities, emphasizing the need for culturally competent care. Johnson: It’s clear that institutional racism and systemic oppression are the reasons black communities face greater obstacles in not only accessing health care but also receiving the culturally competent health care that will address our needs. When it comes to reproductive and sexual health care, black people experience some of the highest rates highest rates of cervical cancer, unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections in the country.
Political Campaigns: Advising on Public Engagement and Media Strategies
Alencia Johnson's expertise in public engagement and media strategy has made her a valuable asset to numerous political campaigns. Earlier in the 2020 presidential cycle, she served as the National Director of Public Engagement for Senator Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign -- managing strategic rollouts of Senator Warren’s policy proposals utilizing principal speeches, media strategies, surrogate endorsements, cultural moments, and in-person events. Alencia was a Senior Advisor to then-Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign, developing popular culture and Black media strategies. More recently, Alencia was a senior advisor to President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign as well as Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 campaign. She managed strategic rollouts of policy proposals, leveraging principal speeches, media strategies, surrogate endorsements, cultural moments, and in-person events.
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1063 West Broad: Social Impact Consultancy
Currently, Johnson is the Founder of 1063 West Broad - a social impact consultancy and media company connecting brands, organizations and people to purpose driven solutions. Alencia harmoniously marries cultural cornerstones - social justice, politics, corporate and entertainment - together to address today’s most pressing social issues. As Chief Impact Officer and Founder of 1063 West Broad - a social impact consultancy specializing in the intersection of culture, impact, and purpose - Alencia connects brands, organizations, and people to mission-driven solutions. 1063 West Broad harmoniously marries cultural cornerstones - social justice, politics, corporate and entertainment - together to address today’s most pressing social issues. Her firm connects brands, organizations, and people to mission-driven solutions. 1063 West Broad harmoniously marries cultural cornerstones - social justice, politics, corporate and entertainment - together to address today’s most pressing social issues. Some of her clients have included America Ferrera and Wilmer Valderrama’s nonprofit Harness, Apple, and BET Networks. Johnson is currently writing her first book, teaching people how to be everyday disruptors for good.
Media Presence and Recognition
Alencia Johnson is a sought-after commentator and has regularly been seen on MSNBC, CNN, NewsOne, BET, Huffington Post Live, and featured in NPR, Washington Post, ESSENCE, Glamour, and more. Alencia is regularly seen on MSNBC, CNN, NewsOne, BET, Huffington Post Live, and featured in NPR, Washington Post, ESSENCE, Glamour and more. Her insights on social justice, culture, and politics are widely respected and influential.
Alencia Johnson has been recognized on EBONY Magazine’s “Power 100” list of influential African Americans and PRWeek’s “40 Under 40” list. Alencia has also been recognized on "The Root 100" list of influential Black leaders, as well as a "Champion in PR" by PRWeek, and received the Woman of the Year Award from Harvard University’s Black Men’s Forum. She has been named to EBONY magazine’s “Power 100” list of influential African Americans and PRWeek’s “40 Under 40” list. In addition, she was appointed to the Virginia Council on Women by Governor Ralph Northam. Her board service includes the Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation’s Social Justice Fund as well as Human Rights First and she was appointed to the Virginia Council on Women by Governor Ralph Northam.
Speaking Engagements and Booking Information
Alencia Johnson's expertise and experience make her a sought-after speaker for various events. Those interested in booking Alencia Johnson for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment can contact AAE Speakers Bureau. AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Alencia Johnson for clients worldwide. AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. The agency manages all aspects of the engagement, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services.
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