Salik Johnson
Retail Market Manager, Hiram, GA
Salik’s uncle, Keith, worked for the Department of Defense and has been Salik’s source of inspiration for many years. He learned a lot of valuable lessons from his uncle, like how to build a strong work ethic, be a good family man, and engage with his local church. In Salik’s words, “He helped me to develop strong Christian values, always serve others, and taught me that you can reap the reward of goodness if you sow the right seeds.”
Salik was born in New York and raised in Alabama. But he spent several of those childhood summers back in New York, and that experience greatly influenced his point of view on life. Spending significant amounts of time in two very different places during his formative years opened his eyes to how we are all connected across this country (and beyond) despite our differences.
That realization led him to seek out materials like the book “The Color of Law” by Richard Rothstein, and other works that shed light on the often-unspoken parts of American history, sociology, and policy.
Despite growing up in Montgomery — the birthplace of the Civil Rights movement — Salik was fortunate to attend diverse schools, from elementary through college. Living in the shadow of segregation but never having experienced it for himself made Salik wonder how we ever lived with that kind of tension throughout the South.
“I thank God for my family, who raised me with Christian values and taught me to treat others the way you want to be treated.”
The inspiring words he left us with were:
- Pray about it.
- Serve others.
- Build relationships.