From left to right… Thelma A. Sias, WE Energies Jasmine Johnson, Pfizer Inc. Cecelia Gore, Brewers Community Foundation Mary Lou Young, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County Danae Davis, Milwaukee Succeeds
Jasmine Johnson is a 2015 Philanthropic 5 Award winner and co-chair of United Way’s Diversity Business Cabinet.
She has also been instrumental in helping to launch the Diversity Leadership Society.
This new leadership society, is a United Way Donor network that is working to ensure every family in the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington has the opportunity to flourish; no matter their diversity of thought, gender, age, ethnicity, and geography.
If you are interested in getting involved they are hosting a fun kickoff event Wednesday September 30 at Casablanca, 728 E. Brady St. in Milwaukee.
The public is welcome to attend. See details at the end of this article.
Jasmine shared with us why she is committed to this community and gives motivating advice for future generations who are looking to get involved and make an impact in the Milwaukee community.
Q. You are a longtime advocate, supporter and volunteer for United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. What do you want people in this community to know about the work they do?
Jasmine: It’s extremely easy and rewarding to be a longtime advocate, supporter, and volunteer for United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County as they have a sincere and proven track record of providing a tremendous amount of positive community impact. From being instrumental in leading the effort to surpass the goal of reducing the teen birth rate three years early to a new initiative that I have the honor of serving on which is The Diversity Leadership Society which is focused on issues that affect our communities.
Q. Looking at all the work you’ve done, it is obvious that you have a strong passion for motivating African American youth in our community. If you could share one important piece of advice with them, what would it be?
Jasmine: I would share that each of us were uniquely created with our own gifts and talents that no one else can do/be and add that for to whom much is given; much is expected.
I understand that my talent is not my own, and as my favorite quote says, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and I could say, “I used everything that you gave me.”
Q. Over the years you have contributed countless hours to the betterment of the Milwaukee community, even as life events or circumstances could have allowed you to bring your talents elsewhere.
What about this city keeps you motivated to continue to drive change here? What is your hope for the future of those who live in this community?
Jasmine: The fact that I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, and a friend keeps me motivated to continue to drive change here, and to do my part to make sure that the place we live, work, and play is as enjoyable for all; not just a select few.
My hope for the future of our community is that we understand and embrace that the sum total is far greater than each individual part.
The faster we work beyond our City’s & County’s division; our segregation and use the viaducts as actual bridges and not dividers.
We will recognize and eventually embrace that we have more similarities than differences, and only then will we truly prosper.
If you’d like to meet Jasmine and other great leaders in our community, register to attend our Diversity Leadership Society kickoff on September 30: https://www.unitedwaygmwc.org/Donor-Networks/Diversity-Leadership-Society