Ronita Johnson
My parents didn’t quite know what to make
of me. First born, I wasn’t quite what they had ordered. A
natural leader, my Dad had me up before groups reciting Easter
speeches at 3 and learning the piano at 4. As a preacher’s
kid, life was tough for I had that pioneering spirit and wasn’t
afraid to speak the words that others were thinking. It
got me in a lot of trouble!
Becoming the first Diversity Manager
at Pacific, Gas & Electric
Company in the mid-80’s validated that pioneering spirit
once again. Our company’s winning the Department
of Labor’s Opportunity 2000 Award for diversity training
of all 26,000 employees, acted as a catalyst. I formed
my own diversity consulting organization and departed in 1993. Consulting
took me to such companies as, Lawrence Berkeley & Livermore
Laboratory, Levi Strauss & Company, The GAP, Genetech,
The Conference Board, Pacific, Gas & Electric, National
Semiconductor and Detroit Edison.
Organizational development, workforce diversity,
strategy planning and coaching became core offerings. I attended
New Venture West and became a certified coach in 2000. My
degree in Clinical Psychology, extensive development in diversity
competencies, coaching and personal life lessons prepared
me for what is now before me.
Introduced to dialogue and circle in
the early 90’s, I came to appreciate and gravitate
towards those approaches as profound practices for having
difficult, emotional and real conversations about life in
general. I purposely and intentionally incorporated
these disciplines into my institutional, professional, cultural
and personal life. I joined and co-founded Circles
with a life-long commitment and dedication for evoking and
evolving our consciousness. I
became a convener of the Millionth Circle movement, an Ambassador
for Gather the Women and Advisor for Circle Connections.
I was invited to co-present, facilitate
and convene at such gatherings as: The Parliament of World
Religions, South Africa; Find horn, Scotland, The Parliament of World Religions,
Spain; Omega Institute, New York and Clinton’s Global
Initiative, New York. Circle took me to Africa,
Asia, Canada, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico,
Spain, Wales, and cities throughout America.
Each day, I feel privileged. I'm privileged
to love what I do and do what I love. I'm privileged to be
of service, to walk with GOD and to work and play with one
of my best friends. I am privileged to be married to the most
wonderful partner, John, and to mother the most beautiful daughter,
Genji. And I am privileged to have many friends and associates
on this journey called life.
Read more about me on my BLOG
Diane Woods
"If
we stand tall, it is because we stand on the shoulders
of many ancestors." ~ Yoruban Proverb
I’d rather be having a conversation with you, over coffee,
one to one rather than writing about my journey. My first
real conversation was with my counselor at Roosevelt High School;
I say real conversation because it was the first time I felt
heard and seen and appreciated. Ms. Jerri McGill was/is
my role model for being of service to another and to understand
what it means to truly listen to another person. My desire
to serve and teach and listen was ignited by this wonderful
women and that desire burns within me still.
After high school, I attended Kalamazoo
College on an academic scholarship earning a degree in Psychology
and a greater understanding of African American history through
the work of the Black Student Organization where I served
as president. After graduation, I moved to Newark, New Jersey
to help elect Newark’s
first Black Mayor and spent the next ten years devoting my
time, talent, and energies to the Black Movement.
Later, I was the first woman working
in a generating station for Public Service electric and Gas
Company; 14 years later, I left as the Director of Human
Resources. In 1992 I
joined Levi Strauss and Company, holding positions of Global
Vice President of Organization Development and Leader of the
Values Department.
Today, I am a Master Certified Integral
Coach; I am an instructor of coaches, Board member of non-profits,
a retired business executive, a former adjunct professor
at Golden Gate University, JFK University, and the California
Institute of Integral Studies. I
am shaping a life with my partner of 16 years, Jimmie Lane;
we both “professional spectators” enjoying movies,
theater, live concerts, and travel.
And today I am lifted up by my membership
in the Spiritual Ridwan School of Diamond Heart; I am still
being shaped by the 10 powerful Black Women of the Shona
Circle that I co-convened six years ago. Today I am filled with gratitude and love
for all who have supported my development, my ongoing unfoldment,
my walk along the path of personal power and personal service. I
consider it an honor and a privilege to work with others, to
walk along beside them, supporting them as a coach, or as an
instructor, or as a convener. I know that my talents,
my “expertise” comes through me from other sources. I
will close as I began,
"If we stand tall,
it is because we stand on the shoulders of many ancestors." ~
Yoruban Proverb
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