Johnson, Ebony AT&T Miami Dade County African American Calendar | The Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South FL, Inc.
Determined to make a difference in the lives of others, Ebony Johnson's goal was to become a great teacher. Born and reared in Miami, with education in her young heart, Ms. Johnson realized her passion for teaching at the tender age of 12, while caring for toddlers in her church's nursery and her experiences as a childcare worker at age 15. After earning a Master Degree in Reading and Learning Disabilities from the University of Miami, Johnson became an educator with Miami Dade County Public Schools teaching at Brentwood, Linda Lentin, and Phyllis Miller Elementary Schools for almost a decade. After accomplishing her goals as a successful teacher, in 2001, she organized The Resource Room, a non-profit community center.
As Executive Director of The Resource Room and The Resource Room Child Care & Learning Center, Ms. Johnson works tirelessly to educate children through aftercare and day programs. Overseeing four centers, and serving more than 200 children daily; Johnson also dedicates time to help adults connect with programs and services to gain access to resources that will help them lead successful lives. In 2013, Ms. Johnson joined D.A. Dorsey Technical College as a Case Manager for Adult Education where she guides young adults through career pathways, while helping them gain access to services that assist them in supporting their families and staying in school to complete their program of study. Ms. Johnson takes pride in her role as Miami Dade NAACP Youth Council Advisor and Region V Adult Representative to the National Youth Work Committee. When asked in 2009 to become the advisor she responded, "How could I not?" "My grandfather, Samuel Bailey, worked hard as president of the Mississippi Branch, and my mother, Dr. Shirley B. Johnson, formed the Miami Dade NAACP Youth Council in 1988. NAACP is part of my family's legacy and I will continue."
AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Among her many accomplishments, Ebony Johnson is the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award, 2016; Florida State Youth Advisor of the Year, 2015; Community Leader by lota Phi Lambda, 2013; NAACP National Youth Advisor of the Year, 2007,2009,2011,2013, and 2014.
COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS: North Dade Youth and Family Coalition, Live Healthy Miami Gardens (ATOD Sub-council member), CERT Member & Trainer (community emergency response team), Executive Member of the NAACP Miami Dade Branch.
As a lifelong member of the oldest civil rights organization and advisor of the NAACP Youth Council, Johnson has lead peaceful sit ins, marches for causes that affect our community, organized town hall meetings, distributed Thanksgiving baskets to needy families and has led a host of community service projects, as she advocates for youth and is dedicated to providing leadership that guides young adults on civic involvement. Ebony Johnson, proud mother of two, Tamaya and Jayson, is passionate about helping youth and families succeed. She has received recognition for her contributions to the community and hopes to continue to inspire, empower, educate and connect people to successful, endless possibilities.