THE COMMISSIONER FELICIA W. JOHNSON

CHELSEY RODGERS

are able to work are a liability to businesses. I am constantly advocating for our citizens with disabilities by educating business partners, community leaders, and anyone that I may come in contact with. The majority of workplace accommodations come at a low cost and the impact is high, positively impacting the workplace in many ways. Also, studies have shown that hiring a person with a disability results in a loyal, reliable, hardworking employee with low absenteeism and a long tenure. It is important for me to help others understand that the citizens we serve have abilities that far outweigh any disability or functional limitation they may have; it is all about finding the proper fit. Finding the proper fit regarding employment is relevant to us all regardless of physical, emotional, intellectual and/or cognitive ability. create a talent pipeline for the business. VR consumers interested in working for this particular business partner were referred to the technical college for training, specific to the needs of the business, and upon successful completion of the training were eligible for employment opportunities with the business. Several of our consumers were hired by the business partner and have successful careers. HBCU Times: As an alumna of South Carolina State University, please explain what you think are the most pressing issues and challenges being faced by HBCUs and what kind of solutions are needed for them to be relevant around five years from now?

HBCU Times: What are new steps that are being made to promote continuing growth and development of VR and to sustain interest in the welfare of those you serve?

Felicia Johnson: On a national level, the VR program is concentrating on enhancing contributions to the nation’s workforce needs. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is helping to drive this shift in the program’s culture. Here in South Carolina, we are always looking for ways to enhance our program and improve the level of quality that we provide in serving our consumers, while meeting the workforce needs of our business partners. We are in the process of bringing new and innovative training opportunities to our Job Readiness Training Centers. These opportunities are designed to provide our consumers with hands-on career exploration in demand driven jobs that are available in their local areas. We are also bringing new training to our employees to ensure they have the skills, knowledge and resources needed to maintain their expertise in serving our consumers. Felicia Johnson: I would have to say that the most pressing issues and challenges being faced by HBCUs is decreasing enrollment. I read an article that stated less than 10% of all African American college students attend an HBCU. As enrollment in HBCUs continues to decline, financial challenges in sustaining these institutions of higher learning will increase and cause devastating problems such as program cuts, loss of accreditation, possible closings, etc. In order to maintain relevance, I would suggest earlier education and recruitment. It might help to begin exposing our youth to the value of HBCUs at an early age. Partner with the Boys and Girls Club to bring students to campuses for field studies or organizations like Jack and Jill of America, any opportunity to spark interest in the minds of our youth and let them know what is available to them. We also need to ensure degree programs are relevant and proactively updated, and that there are support services to foster successful completion; and, where possible, partnerships for job placements upon graduation.

HBCU Times 2020 Winter Issue | 13 JOHNSON HBCU Times: What unique workforce development opportunities is VR collaborating on with other organizations/ agencies/institutions? Felicia Johnson: I serve as a member on the State Workforce Development Board, as well as one of the Board’s subcommittees that is mandated to serve “Targeted Populations”; the disability community being one of those populations. VR realizes the importance of partnerships and building relationships in an effort to ensure our consumers maximize the services available to them. We have ongoing partnerships with agencies and organizations throughout the state to receive referrals for our services. We serve every high school in the state and have partnerships with the technical school system, and several colleges and universities. We partner with over 400 businesses in our state to provide training opportunities for our consumers through the provision of contract work in our Job Readiness Training Centers. Many of the partnerships through our Job Readiness Training Centers result in employment opportunities for our consumers. About two years ago, the agency was able to embark upon a unique partnership with a technical college and a business partner to HBCU Times: In what ways do you think HBCUs in South Carolina and/or nationally could better serve those living with disabilities? Felicia Johnson: Ensure there is an active and proactive Disabilities Services Department that recruits students with disabilities, ensures ADA compliance throughout the campus, provides support services and advocacy, and educates the campus and community on disabilities and disability rights. HBCU Times: Wife, mother, community leader - you like so many women wear many hats. When the commander-in-chief seems to blatantly disregard the contributions of women of color to our city, state or nation what is your response? Felicia Johnson: It is abhorrent and disrespectful. That type of disregard discounts the hard work, dedication, achievements, and value women of color have added to this country and the world.

HBCU Times: What have your husband Condie, and your children Chance and Kennedy taught you about love?

Felicia Johnson: They have taught me everything I know about love. I believe that we don’t truly know love until we love enough to put others before ourselves. My husband and children have taught me that and I am a better person because of them. HBCU Times: What is your guilty pleasure and what does “down time” look like for you and the family?

Felicia Johnson: Guilty pleasures: I am a serial shopper, I actually have created my own rehabilitation group, Serial Shoppers Anonymous – I am the only member right now. I also LOVE Insomnia Cookies and treat myself to a Caramel Macchiato a few times a week. I don’t get to watch much television but my daughter and I have recently started watching movies on either Netflix or Prime during our “mommy and daughter time.” On Saturday or Sunday, when I can carve out some downtime, we snuggle up on the couch and I let her choose what we watch. The most we have done in a day was four movies.

My favorite sport to watch is baseball. My son plays travel baseball and I have grown to love it over the last five years.

HBCU Times: What advice would you offer a wife and mother and what’s the best advice you’ve been given?

Felicia Johnson: Keep God and family first. My spirituality keeps me grounded and focused and my family is a big part of why I do what I do. I once heard a speaker at a graduation ceremony say, “There are only 940 Saturdays from the time a baby is born until they day he or she becomes an adult, make each one of them count.” Until hearing that statement, I would willingly work 12 hours a day and still feel like I needed to work more. Hearing that put everything in perspective for me, my husband is my biggest supporter and my children are my world; every moment with them is precious and must be cherished. Jobs are temporary, family is forever.

The best advice I have been given is to always show appreciation because the worst thing you can do to someone is to make them feel unappreciated. HBCU Times: Take us to your favorite childhood spot in your home and what are three life lessons you wish you would’ve known?

Felicia Johnson: My favorite childhood spot in my home was the den. I am the oldest of four girls and I grew up in the home with my sisters, my mother and grandmother. We would congregate in the den every day to talk, watch television, and hang out. We had the best times laughing with and at one another and spending time together. I would tell 13-year-old Felicia that everything we experience in life happens for a reason. The difficult circumstances, the mistakes we make, the trouble we get into, etc. all have a lesson in there somewhere that we are to learn. Seek the value in every lesson. Take every opportunity to learn, especially from your elders because they are wise and their advice will prove to be valuable in the future. Understand that when those who love and care about you are hard on you, it is because they see your potential and the leader within you. Tough love has a way of preparing us for the leader we are destined to be. Challenges bring perseverance and perseverance is the key to success.