Eric E. Johnson

Being of service to your community is no easy task. In many cases it's long hours, reduced pay, and limited resources so it goes without saying that it takes a special group of individuals to take on the task. Ederick E. Johnson has taken on that task for over a decade. It's been a journey for Mr. Johnson who started out at the Pride Center's KiKi Project, facilitating community hosted events with the purpose of educating on HIV/AIDS and

STIs to now working with Yale University of Nursing as an Interventionist Facilitator. There is no sight out of bounds for this champion of the community. With a grin plastered on his face and lively spirit, he will continue to work hard, laugh and love as he serves his community proudly.

What’s your claim-to-fame?

I would have to say my claim to fame is mixture of my hilarious facebook posts and the Kiki Project. As you know the Kiki Project was the only program for Black Same Gender Loving Men of South Florida. This was the vision of one of my mentors

Lorenzo Robertson.

Where did you grow up?

I am From Bradenton, Florida (Palmetto) Home of Tropicana and Ederick Johnson.

How long have you lived in South Florida?

I’ve been in South Florida for 12 years now.

Why did you move here?

I moved here right after High School. My dream was to always attend Florida A&M University, however because of poor decisions that I made in my High School career that changed immediately. In March of 2011, the wife of the Late Rev. Dr. Mack King Carter, Patricia Carter approached my grandmother Terry Johnson, at the Progressive M&E Baptist State Convention and told her I need to come to Florida Memorial to attend College. When I moved here, I didn't know a soul. Moved here with $1600 that was to last me until June of 2012. And from there, I have created a legacy for myself here, from the Church community to the Gay scene I have created relationships.

What do you like most about living here?

It's more progressive than where I am from. The fact that we are having a Pride Parade is major. If I wanted to attend pride, I had to travel to St. Pete or Tampa just to congregate.

Where do you hang out in South Florida?

My house LOL. But my favorite hangout spot is on Sundays at my Gay mom's house, Professor Stephen English. On Sundays he creates a safe space and atmosphere for a few of us to come and get away from the troubles that we face day to day, and just eat, laugh, and listen to good music.

What’s your favorite venue or restaurant in South Florida?

My favorite restaurant is Picadilly.

What’s your current state-of-mind? My mind is currently at Peace

What are you an expert at? Southern Cooking, I make a mean pound cake and smothered turkey wings.

What do you want to live long enough to see?

That everything God has planned for me comes to pass.

What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? It's better to have four quarters then one hundred pennies.

What did you learn from your parents? What I learned from my mother, my Sweetie pie Monica McKinney, is to have a compassionate heart, even for those who don't care for you.

How do you enjoy spending your time? Reading, Cooking, Playing the Piano, and watching “In The Heat of the Night.”

What celebrity do you have a crush on?

Omari Hardwick

Who do you admire?

My Great Aunt Bert, how she raised her younger siblings and her own children after the sudden death of her mom in 1962. She then went on to raise her sibling's kids and help with their kids. She is an amazing woman who has a slick mouth lol.

If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be?

Martin Luther King

What would your last meal be?

Chitterlings/ Hog Maws, Greens, White Rice, Cornbread, Fried Chicken, and Pound Cake.

What would your autobiography be called?

What's on your bucket list?

To get married, so some man's mama can say…. “that's a good man Savanna.”

How excited are you to be one of the Grand Marshalls of Stonewall Pride?

I am super excited this is truly an honor.

For more on Ederick, follow him on Facebook.com/Ederickenricojohnson.