Today we’d like to introduce you to Annette Johnson.
Hi Annette, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always known I was a communicator at heart. I had a natural way with words – both spoken and written – that shaped how I connected with people. I’ve always had a fun-loving, caring personality with a quick wit that made people laugh and feel at ease. In fact, I was voted class clown or some variation of it, like “wittiest,” throughout school, starting as early as kindergarten through high school. At my core, I love to laugh and make people smile.
That lightheartedness and my love for words gave me a natural connection with people. Strangers often felt comfortable opening up to me and sharing their life stories because of my approachable, disarming nature. Because of that, I always imagined I’d become either a journalist or an attorney, someone who could advocate for people and tell their stories, whether through writing or the law.
Inspired by Barbara Walters and Oprah, my early dream was to become a news anchor. I majored in communications at Florida State University with minors in journalism and psychology. While in college, I interned with PBS and had the opportunity to cover several local stories. After graduation, I attended graduate school in Miami, Florida, earning a master’s degree in journalism with a concentration in English.
While completing my studies, I worked as a weekend producer for the FOX News affiliate in Miami and hosted a talk show on PBS. I eventually ventured into print journalism, writing for The Miami Times and even creating my church’s newsletter. Up until then, my focus had been almost exclusively in broadcast journalism, but that experience broadened my perspective and deepened my love for storytelling in all its forms.
After starting a family, I transitioned into academia and spent eight years teaching communication and journalism at the collegiate level. I fell in love with teaching and was even nominated as National Collegiate Faculty of the Year. Although I was well-loved by both students and staff, I began to feel a creative restlessness that I couldn’t ignore. That led me to step away from academia to start my own company, Allwrite Communications, and soon after, I wrote, directed, and produced my first short film, Switch, in 2007. From there, the creative floodgates opened: books, stage productions, a magazine, branding consulting, and so much more followed.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s definitely been a challenging journey as a Black female professional. I’m not someone who likes to use race or gender as excuses for setbacks, for I truly believe that with God, all things are possible, no matter your background, culture, or physical makeup. Still, I’m fully aware of the challenges that come with simply being who I am.
Early in my career, while working for a prominent news outlet, I was called racially derogatory names. As one of only two Black employees there, I knew I had to stay composed, nonthreatening, and operate in excellence. Still, that doesn’t stop hate, as it looks for victims to inject its venom. I tried to stay and ignore it because I didn’t want to lose what I considered an important opportunity, but ultimately, they fired me because I wouldn’t quit. It was the only time I’ve ever been fired, and it deeply hurt. Looking back, I realize that moment subconsciously shifted something in me. I began to resist broadcast journalism after that experience.
I’ve always been a puzzle person (e.g. crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, riddles), and that reflects how my mind works: I’m extremely solution-oriented. Sometimes people are threatened by that zeal to fix or improve things. They mistake it for ambition to replace them, when in truth, I just love seeing things done right. I can literally lose sleep trying to figure out how to make something better. This has caused misunderstandings and interpersonal strain in some work environments.
That same drive to improve things has carried over into my personal life, and at times, it’s been one of my greatest challenges. I’ve taken that problem-solving spirit into relationships, often trying to “help” people become better, find opportunities, or overcome their struggles. I have allowed myself to be distracted and overwhelmed with this at times. I eventually learned that this pattern is called “co-dependency,” and it can be just as destructive as it is compassionate. Recognizing that truth has helped me set healthier boundaries and focus on helping people without losing myself in the process.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a creative professional and entrepreneur who founded several ventures under the “Allwrite” brand, including Allwrite Publishing and Allwrite Productions. My work spans publishing, production, and personal development, all centered around storytelling that educates, inspires, and transforms.
As an author, I’ve written several books, beginning with my first title, “What’s Your Motivation?” My upcoming books, “The 5 Ways We Work” and “Whole Relationships,” reflect what I’ve learned in both business and life. One is about creating effective teams, and the other about building healthy relationships. Both will launch in early 2026, along with companion websites where readers can take free assessments to analyze their work and relationship habits. These books are part of my personal transformative brand. They embody my mission to help people grow holistically. I want my work to not only inform but truly transform, and I believe that intentional focus on growth and wholeness is what sets me apart.
On the production side, I’m especially proud of my recent stage plays, Let It Flow (2023) and If It Isn’t Love (2024). Those projects brought together every part of my creative skill set, such as writing, directing, producing, and marketing. They also stretched me to develop new skills in budgeting and team management. I quickly learned that even the best story can remain untold, or be poorly told, without strong financial and marketing foundations. Those lessons have been invaluable.
In publishing, one of my proudest accomplishments is launching HERS Magazine, an international women’s magazine dedicated to inspiring and empowering women worldwide. It was a true labor of love that gave a platform to emerging journalists and allowed me to mentor young writers. Unfortunately, when COVID struck in 2020, the landscape changed drastically. Advertising budgets disappeared, and digital attention shifted to social media platforms like TikTok. After multiple website hacks and a few other challenges, I decided to suspend operations. However, HERS will return in 2026 with a refreshed vision, stronger infrastructure, and a renewed sense of purpose.
At the heart of everything I do – whether it’s writing a book, producing a play, mentoring an author, or creating a brand – is my faith. It fuels my creativity and gives purpose to every project I touch. I see creativity as a divine partnership. God provides the vision, and I simply bring it to life through words, stories, and experiences that uplift others. My hope is that everything I create helps people see the beauty in their own journey and realize that wholeness isn’t about perfection; it’s about alignment with your purpose, your faith, and the people you’re called to impact.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that people will always remember how you make them feel beyond anything else. That truth applies in every area of life, including business, family, friendship, and love. We often think our value is measured by our looks, achievements, titles, or possessions, but those things fade. What truly lasts are the moments when we make others feel seen, valued or inspired.
Sometimes, it’s not even through direct interaction. A simple social media post about your day, a sincere compliment, minor gratitude (“thank you”) or even a smile to a stranger can unintentionally uplift someone who needed it. Our impact often reaches farther than we realize.
That understanding has changed how I approach both my work and my relationships. It’s a reminder that our real value isn’t found in what we have or do, but in the love, compassion, and encouragement we give. Those intangible gifts create the connections that sustain us and leave the most lasting legacy.
Contact Info:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettejohnson12
- Other: https://muckrack.com/annette-r-johnson
Image Credits
Not applicable. I own all rights to the images provided.
