Alencia Johnson has built a career at the intersection of politics, social impact, and culture, using her voice to drive change in some of the nation’s most important conversations. Now, she’s sharing her insights in her new book, Flip The Tables: The Everyday Disruptor’s Guide to Finding Courage and Making Change.

A Spring 2007 initiate of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Omicron Tau Chapter at Christopher Newport University), Johnson has dedicated her career to advocacy and leadership. She played key roles in three presidential campaigns, working as a senior advisor for President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign and Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 re-election efforts. She also led public engagement for Senator Elizabeth Warren’s campaign and contributed to President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign through her work at Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Before founding her social impact firm, 1063 West Broad, Johnson spent six years at Planned Parenthood, where she helped launch the “Stand With Black Women” movement and built partnerships with major brands and organizations.

With her new book, Johnson is empowering others to challenge the status quo, take up space, and make an impact. We at Watch The Yard caught up with Johnson for an exclusive interview where she shares her journey from a young member of Delta Sigma Theta to the White House, the power of advocacy, and how she hopes to inspire the next generation of changemakers.

Every college experience is unique. Can you take us back to your time at Christopher Newport University? What was the culture like when you were a student, and how did your time there help shape the leader you are today?

CNU is a small school in VA, and predominantly white. Navigating that as a young Black woman committed to social justice was a training ground for the work I would do – as I’ve had to navigate advocating for racial justice and equity in predominantly white spaces. There wasn’t that much diversity, so the Black students all knew each other and created a bit of a family. My line sisters and I all knew each other before we pledged. I spent more time in my extracurriculars, as president of my chapter and our multicultural student association – among many other organizations – graduating with the Dean’s Service Award for my contributions to campus. I spent a lot of time in the university president’s office pushing for fair treatment of Black students and our interests. This all laid the groundwork to remain rooted in service, and there’s nothing wrong with making good trouble.

What first drew you to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.? Was there a defining moment or mentor who helped you realize that this was the right sisterhood for you?

My Aunt Portia and her daughters, my cousins Melanie and Stephanie, embodied such powerful traits of Delta women. And when I was in high school learning about the women’s movement, I found myself intrigued by the Black women participating in the women’s suffrage march in 1913. Those women were the founders of Delta Sigma Theta – and I started to realize so many Black women in history I looked up to were members. When I got to CNU, the Deltas were a powerful group of upperclasswomen running organizations and shaping campus for Black students. I knew I had to be a member. 

As a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., how has your sorority experience influenced your career? Are there any specific lessons from your time as an undergrad Delta that continue to guide you today?

Delta women get things done and we live and breathe social action. The fortitude the sorority has instilled in me helps me navigate uncharted waters and uncertain times with a deep conviction that if I continue to press forward, it will be worth it. Our chapter was small compared to some of the larger schools and HBCUs in the area, but that didn’t hinder us from deepening our involvement – like the year we served as the regional conference collegiate host. 

Watch The Yard has become the digital hub for Black college culture, connecting millions of Black HBCU and PWI students and alumni. Why is it crucial for brands and campaigns to authentically engage with Black college students and alumni, and what should they keep in mind when doing so?

Black culture influences mainstream culture. Full stop. So while we may be 14 percent of the population, we are the anchors of this country – that our enslaved ancestors built. And our networks via affiliation run deep – whether it’s notable leaders of past and present who are members of the Divine 9 or notable alumni of an HBCU. There’s something unique about our connections that literally move mountains, start whole movements, and create historic moments – with just a few phone calls. 

Couple this power with the projected Black spending power to be around $1.7 trillion by 2030 and the fact that Democratic Presidents can not win with a majority of white voters – it only makes sense for campaigns and brands to engage authentically in our communities through consistent engagement. And, when we solve for one marginalized community, other communities benefit. 

You’ve worked on presidential campaigns, led national advocacy efforts, and launched cultural engagement strategies. Looking back, what are some of your proudest moments in your career, and what legacy do you hope to leave in the industries you’ve impacted?

Winning President Obama’s re-election in 2012 was a pivotal moment for me as it was my first political job. It was the catalyst for my career. While at Planned Parenthood, I started the Stand With Black Women branding and framework (with a couple of Black women colleagues and creative director Dionna Dorsey). When I see that branding – on Black people and allies – I’m proud that message is still strong. Early in the 2020 presidential cycle, I worked for Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign (before I eventually joined President Biden and Vice President Harris’) – and we had some of the strongest racial justice policies, as ranked by prominent Black journalists. To this day I hear from Black people almost daily about their support of the work we did on that campaign. Hopefully my legacy is that regardless of who I advise or organizations I work with – people know issues of race and gender will be centered because I’m in the room shaking tables. I also hope I give more people the courage to disrupt spaces that are comfortable with the status quo. 

You’ve built powerful advocacy campaigns and shaped national conversations on social justice and policy. What are the biggest shifts you see coming in the future of political engagement and social impact? How should young professionals and students prepare for these changes?

More people will understand the power of everyday storytelling and rely less on traditional media for information. Too often people think they need senior positions or a major media platform to be effective. However, I’ve only worked on presidential campaigns in the social media era. And now, social media is the first stop for authentic storytelling. Political campaigns and brands that want to reach a wider audience must follow the trends of culture – and culture happens organically. A lot of this will be incorporated into the future of political campaigns and impact work. At the same time, Gen Z has to understand that no amount of posts, views and likes will impact people as much as in person conversations. That’s how we organize. And future generations have to find a balance between both. 

If you could launch a campaign today that would reach every Black college student in the country, what would its message be and why?

You have every tool inside you to change this world. Too often that understanding has been suppressed by a society that doesn’t appreciate our humanity – yet, that oppression is out of fear of our brilliance. 

You’ve spent your career shaping national conversations on politics, culture, and social impact. Now, with your upcoming book Flip The Tables, you have the opportunity to share your insights in a new way. What inspired you to write this book, and what do you hope Black college students and young professionals take away from it?

Flip the Tables was born out of both personal and professional evolution. My career has always been about shaping conversations—whether in politics or culture—but I realized that real change doesn’t just happen in institutions or campaigns; it happens when everyday people decide to disrupt the status quo. I wanted to write a book that gives people—especially Black college students and young professionals—the tools to embrace their power, challenge the systems that limit them, and build something better.

It hasn’t been hard for me to speak up and take up space, but what has been hard is embracing vulnerability in my personal journey. And that’s what this book is about—understanding that personal growth and collective impact are deeply connected.

I hope students and young professionals take away this: You don’t have to wait for permission, a title, or a “seat at the table” to make a difference. You have the power right now to disrupt, to flip the table when necessary, and to create something new that reflects your values and vision. Whether it’s in your career, your community, or your personal life—being a disruptor isn’t about being reckless; it’s about being intentional. And if this book helps even one person move through fear, embrace their purpose, and boldly take up space, then I’ve done my job.

At Watch The Yard, we celebrate Black excellence and leadership. If you could give your 20-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don’t put so much pressure on yourself to be great at everything and have it all figured out. Life unfolds as it’s supposed to, when it’s supposed to. 

We at Watch The Yard would like to thank Alencia Johnson for sharing her insights, experiences, and wisdom with our community. Her dedication to advocacy, leadership, and social impact continues to inspire the next generation of changemakers. As she empowers others to challenge the status quo and create meaningful change, we look forward to seeing the lasting impact of her work.

If you would like to learn more about her follow her on instagram @alenciajohnson.