Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakisha Johnson.
Hi Lakisha; we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in the heart of South Memphis, raised by a strong, black female single mother who I saw work hard all my life. It also didn’t hurt being a part of a huge family where I could see my grandfather and uncles create businesses or my grandmother, the hardest working stay-at-home mom. So the instinct to never give up started early. Granted, it was never my plan to become a minister or author, but I’m glad God’s plans overshadowed mine. In 2012, I penned a book called A Secret Worth Keeping, leading me to craft four additional books. In 2014, I finally answered God’s call to ministry. One of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It wasn’t the assignment I feared; it was me. I was broken, dealing with daddy issues, struggling, and didn’t feel worthy. Yet, God never gave up on me.
At the end of 2016, my twin sister Laquisha and I created a book called The Family that Lies, and the feedback was amazing. Then God shut me down and wouldn’t allow me to write anything all of 2017. I didn’t understand it, and I tried to fix it. However, it would take many nights of crying out to realize God had shut me down to shift me into writing Christian Fiction. The writing was becoming part of my ministry, and I almost messed it up because flesh had me believing I’d been forsaken. Yet, it’s now why I’m where I am today. Wife, mother, Grammie, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin, and friend. Assistant Pastor of an amazing ministry in Hollywood, MS, under my Pastor and Uncle, Larry Rucker, serving people who love and accept me. Self-Published, best-selling author of 31 books, devotionals, and journals. Here’s the great part, God allows me to be me. Therefore, I stand boldly and unapologetically with my tattoos, shaved head, thick thighs, curves, and six-inch heels, preaching God’s word and slanging books that aren’t deemed “clean” Christian Fiction. I don’t compromise who I am to fit in. Instead, I’ll forge my path. Accept me or not, it’s either your gain or loss.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There’s nothing smooth about it. Lol. This thang has been a struggle. However, it’s my struggle, and I often compare it to a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. Once it has gone through the inward change, it can only come out of its shell by struggling. See, the struggle serves two purposes. One, it’s shedding the old, and two, the struggle pumps the necessary blood to strengthen the butterfly’s wings for them to fly. In other words, without struggle, the butterfly wouldn’t fly. As for me, if I had never struggled, I wouldn’t know the woman I am today. If I had never struggled, I wouldn’t have experienced all I have and will have. My struggle was and is necessary.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
With God’s presence and power, I have the anointing as a preacHER who also writes Christian Fiction. As an author, I have books of brokenness, hurt, grief, faith, love, restoration, hope, etc. I write for imperfect people; therefore, my books may contain cursing, addictions, sex, and other things deemed “unclean.” There’s not a happily ever after at the end of every book because, let’s face it, sometimes things don’t always work out as planned. I write this way because it allows people to see themselves through a fictional character and know there’s still hope and help. This sets me apart, and I’m okay with that. The truth is, I’m proud of myself! I’m a brown girl from South Memphis who didn’t think she was worthy of being where I am today. Yet, I get to experience God. I get to share God with people. I’m entrusted to pray for people, some I’ve never met. I’m called on and chosen. And I have books on Amazon’s Best-Seller list.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Saturday morning. I grew up the second out of seven, and as I shared before, my mother was a single mom who worked two jobs for most of our lives. Yet, one of my favorite memories is Saturday morning. At the time, we were living in the “projects,” but to us, it was home. My mom would have old-school jams and blues playing throughout the house, the curtains and doors open while we all cleaned with the occasional group singing and dancing. Afterward, my sisters and I would walk to the corner store for cold cuts, chips, cookies, and drinks. Now, on the days when Saturdays are busy, I miss them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.authorlakishajohnson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kishajohnson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLakisha
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/_kishajohnson
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWQ5K8U2GyYGTwMc0cKtpmA
Image Credits
Total Icon, Talisha Ingram
