Tracy L Johnson

I've spent my career at the intersection of academics, research, and community. As a teacher, I've had the privilege of working with people who challenge me to think more deeply and communicate more clearly every single day. It's my entire existene and experiences that inspire everything I write.
My research focuses on Dr. Edwin Nichols's theory of the Philosophical Aspects of Cultural Differences. This framework has fundamentally shaped how I understand the relationship between culture, values, and ways of knowing. Through The Afrikan Personality Series, I'm working to make these powerful ideas accessible to anyone seeking a deeper understanding.
I've been honored to contribute to The 1619 Project's education materials, collaborate with the Pulitzer Center on arts and journalism initiatives, and work with National Geographic's Out of Eden Walk project. I've presented my research at conferences, including the National Council for Black Studies and the Northeast Modern Language Association. But honestly? My favorite conversations happen in community spaces, such as the National Council for Black Studies, APPEAL, Council of International Black Institutions, Gwendolyn Brooks Permission, Inside the Teachers Studio, Dr. Kenneth Addison Social Justice Annual Lecture Event in 2025, and anywhere people gather to wrestle with ideas that matter.
When I'm not writing or working, you'll find me with my family or thinking about the next volume in the series, exploring, or having long conversations about culture, history, and possibility.