Catching up with Ri’ana Johnson
Ri’ana Johnson graduated from Marquette in 2014 with majors in Elementary Education and Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture. Below is a brief conversation with Ri’ana in which she answered some questions about her career, the impact of the Center for Peacemaking on her life, and the accomplishment she is most proud of.
What programs were you involved in at the Center for Peacemaking?
I was a Nonviolence Educator with the Peace Works program. I thought that this work — visiting local schools to teach a conflict resolution and social emotional learning curriculum — would help me as a teacher.
What have you been up to since you graduated from Marquette?
I currently work as a Child Protective Services Social Worker. I also write children’s books and manage a blog. I recently started a non-profit to promote positive communication and relationships within and between families.
What impact did the Center for Peacemaking have on your career trajectory?
I learned that trauma responses are not something people can control and may not even be aware of. To make a difference you have to be gentle, patient, and authentic. Peacemaking is still my goal. I believe that helping people find peace within themselves and in their own homes can help bring peace to our schools, our neighborhoods, and our nation.
What is a favorite memory from your engagement with the Center for Peacemaking?
During one of the Peace Works sessions at North Division High School, a student made an indecent comment about my body, so I advised him to leave until he was ready to re-enter respectfully. Two weeks later, he sought me out to apologize. From that point forward he was a very engaged participant in the class.
What are you most proud of?
I self-published a children’s book, We Are The People. I went on a book tour to share its message of positivity, self-love, and inclusion at childcare centers in Southeastern Wisconsin and Atlanta, GA. The book is currently available in nineteen public libraries across the U.S.
