SYNERGY– Gail Johnson

Story By: Dr. Anthony Robinson

Many individuals look at the world, recognize the issues of inequity and injustice that pervade, and have no concept of how they themselves can impart meaningful change. However, others, like Gail Johnson, realize that the most meaningful progress one can make is within their own community.

Johnson has been serving the people of Gainesville in this way. She was elected as a city commissioner in 2018 and just recently won her bid for re-election in March of this year. “My job is to bring to fruition what the community wants. Building relationships with people – this is the only reason I continue.”

This humble mindset of servitude is a trait Johnson has brought with her since her childhood. She was born in Gainesville but moved to Brooklyn with her grandparents at the age of twelve. Her grandfather was the President of the Gainesville NAACP in 1977, and Johnson says he had a huge influence on her life and political career. “My grandpa had the biggest impact on me. The work that he was doing many decades ago… and some [things] that he couldn’t accomplish due to his position… I feel like I can expand on his vision.” “The fight for equity and justice is clearly never over. [My grandfather] really cared about justice in all forms in our community. That is why I fight…”

Johnson did her undergrad at the University of Florida in English & Film Studies. She then returned to Brooklyn and worked in the arts, first as a publisher of an arts magazine and later at a feminist magazine BUST.

After returning to Gainesville 10 years ago, she started her own catering company. However, in 2016, Johnson responded to her true calling and decided to walk in the footsteps of her predecessors.

“I decided there was a need for more women in politics. I ran for the office and won.”

Johnson’s recent efforts have been focused on providing food justice to the residents of Gainesville. She says the access to food and basic things is much slimmer in these communities.

“I would like to be remembered as a commissioner that focused on the basic needs of our communities, [on the] underrepresented and marginalized, [and who has] the hard conversations about how, where, and why we are distributing resources.”

More than anything, she has been advancing the conversation by asking hard questions. She is leading initiatives that train staff in leadership on racial equity work, on budgeting with equity, and generally assessing the equity of legislature and institutions.

Johnson implores future leaders to work within their community. “That is the only way we will win our fight for justice in Gainesville. We can’t have elected officials that separate from the community they serve. I don’t know if people will see it yet, but we have big plans for Gainesville and we need the people to help in that work.”