Meet Shenée Johnson-Cummings of Duluth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shenée Johnson-Cummings.

Hi Shenée, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My mom tells a story of when I was maybe 4 years old, that I brought my house slippers to the TV for the “little boy” in the cartoon who didn’t have any shoes on. My twin sister followed suit, and although my mom thought it was sweet, she told us that the boy wasn’t a boy, he was a Hobbit, and Hobbits don’t wear shoes. From a little girl, I’ve always wanted to share with others, whether it was knowledge, clothes, skills, or whatever. I eventually became a middle school and high school teacher, and later, the high school where I taught, Duluth High School, became a Title I School in 2016. I was asked to become its Parent Instructional Coordinator. I stepped into the role not knowing much about it, but this is where my shift happened. I bought a home in Duluth along with my twin sister, and I immersed myself in the community, setting out to be the “face” of Duluth High School. My principal charged me with changing the perception that Title I was bad and would lower property taxes. I joined local boards and commissions, including the Ethics Board and the Planning Commission, and I absolutely loved engaging. I knew things to share with our families at the school because I was engaged, and I encouraged them to do the same with the school. I loved it so much that even after being promoted to the school district office, I kept engaging in my community by serving on the PTSA and advisory boards for Duluth High School. I went back to school to earn my Master’s in Educational Leadership and a certificate from Harvard in Public Leadership because I had my sights set on becoming a leader in the community. I eventually ran for the open seat of Duluth City Council Post 5 in 2023, and I’ve now been serving in that role for nearly two years. I continue to lead as the Coordinator for Family Engagement for Gwinnett County Public Schools, and I am the first Black City Councilwoman in Duluth.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been rather smooth. I am following God’s leading, so I haven’t encountered too many struggles, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I believe that some struggle is necessary so that we can appreciate the blessing of overcoming it when we do. I lost my dad in 2022, and life just hasn’t been the same without him. I encountered personal and physical struggles after his death, but before he died, he knew what my goals were, so I forged on, knowing he would be so proud. He’d actually be bragging to his siblings if he were still alive. Other struggles are the necessary ones, the ones like my daughter graduating high school and leaving for college in 2024, leaving me to navigate being an empty nester, or the feeling of stagnation, like not seeing growth happening, but understanding the roots grow below ground before the bud of a flower begins to show.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an educator who is passionate about community engagement, whether the community is engaging or whether I am. I love imparting knowledge to young people and allowing them to reciprocate by imparting knowledge to me. I was a teacher longer than I have been a school district leader, so I believe I’m known for being an educator and community leader. I am most proud of my daughter, who is absolutely thriving at my alma mater, Florida A&M University, as a second-year theater major. She has been a quiet force since she walked barefoot out of our home at 2 years old one morning, saying she was looking for me. From being the class actress and performer, to now being a class act as an actress and performer, she graduated high school with high honors and a performing arts seal on her diploma. I’m so very proud of her! I think what sets me apart from others is my energy and genuine love for my community. I’m a politician by definition of the word, but I’m so not that. I just want to serve, so I’m a servant leader, someone who serves others, but leads at the same time.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned along my journey is that my journey is my journey. I don’t get caught up with comparisons…even my identical twin sister has her own journey. When people try to compare me to others, I think to myself, “Where’s the comparison?” There is no comparison, and there’s plenty of room for us all to have our own journeys while finding out how many of them do intersect from time to time. Also, I’m not afraid to say that I’m still learning lessons. This teacher is truly a student of this life. Michelle Obama says we are always “becoming,” and she’s so right about it. I’ll add to that, we’re always learning lessons, no matter what stage of life you’re in. On another note, I’ve also learned that it’s okay to receive help. I was reconnected with an old friend who offered to help me during my campaign, and I allowed him to assist me, as I remembered how amazingly we had worked together 18 years ago and how his communication strategies and skills were excellent even then. He became my campaign communications strategist, and “as way leads on to way…” here we are two years later, husband and wife for two months. It’s never too late, and God’s timing is not our own. (wink)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shenee4duluth.org
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/shenee4duluth
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shenee.j.holloway
• LinkedIn: https://LinkedIn.com/in/sheneejohnsoncummings
• Other: https://sites.google.com/view/sheneejholloway