JAKEYA JOHNSON

Listen to this article

Grants Specialist, Tides Foundation

In June 2022, Jakeya Johnson joined the Tides Foundation as a grants management fellow. A year later, she was named grants specialist for the civic and social organization.

Johnson previously worked as the chief of staff for the Maryland General Assembly, the administrative coordinator for Optimal Beginnings LLC and business manager for Lancôme Cosmetics.

She earned a master’s degree in public policy from Bowie State University and a bachelor’s degree in health care management from Western Governors University.

Johnson is the board chair for Reproductive Justice Maryland, a steering committee member for Marylanders for Reproductive Choice and an ambassador for Planned Parenthood Advocates of DC, MD & VA.

How would you say you inspired change in your organization or the community as an up-and-coming leader?

As a graduate student studying public administration and policy, I wrote a theoretical solution to the lack of reproductive health care services available to people who could become pregnant on campus. At the conclusion of my project, I realized my solution had the potential to translate from theory to implementation.

With the support of Senator Ariana Kelly, my project became state law and will provide a full slate of accessible reproductive health care services to college students across the state.

Do you have a quote you live by?

“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.” – Oprah Winfrey