A graduate of Trimble Tech and Texas Wesleyan University, Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth's Shay Dial Johnson is a Tarrant Influencer
She is a Trimble Tech Bulldog, a Texas Wesleyan Ram, never believed in Santa Claus, and leads Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth's Community Engagement. Meet this week's Tarrant Influencer, Shay Dial Johnson.
What is your full name?
Shay Dial Johnson
How old are you?
36
I am going to cover your early life with a few questions. What do you remember about your first day of elementary school?
I distinctly remember my first day of Kindergarten. I had been waiting to go to school but since my birthday was late, I had to wait a year. It was at Western Hill Elementary and my teacher was Mrs. Abshire. I walked up the stairs to our portable classroom, looked back at my mom and noticed she was crying.
When did you learn there was no Santa Claus?
I never believed in Santa Claus. My mom went though great efforts to make me believe and I never really did. I started to when I was about 7, but by the time I was 9 I got back off the band wagon.
What High School did you attend?
I am a native to Tarrant County. I attended Green B. Trimble Technical High School. I was a member of the Drill Team, Student Government, Step Team, and Drama Club.
Which teacher had the greatest impact on you?
The teacher that had the greatest impact on me was my high school theater teacher, Cheryl Penland. It was the first time a teacher truly held me accountable. She was tough on us, but always fair! She gave praise when it was due, but never sugar coated the bad stuff. Her life lessons have always stuck with me.
Regarding your parents, what kind of work do/did they do?
My parents were hustlers! My dad has worked at Harris Hospital downtown for over 30 years and my mom has had just about every job under the sun. My brother and I were both asthmatic as kids so it was hard for her to keep a job because we were in and out of the hospital and doctor's office. Sometimes she was a stay at home mom and sometimes she was a school clerk, retail employee, or babysitter. By the time I was a senior in high school she was at the US Post Office, where she still works today.
Moving forward a little bit, where did you go to college? And, what was that like?
I attended Texas Wesleyan University. It really was just like the commercials say, Smaller and Smarter. I only lived on campus for a year, but I still had a social life at school, joined clubs, went Greek and worked on campus. I majored in Theatre and earned my BFA. I minored in management.
What are you most excited or passionate about?
I'm most passionate about helping others. I've long had a goal of living a life dedicated to serving others and that's what makes me thrive. I get excited about the change that is happening in my city and I my little part in that change.
If you have children, tell me about the birth of your first child?
The birth of my son and only child was a great experience. I had been experiencing some labor pains for about a day and a half before I actually went to the hospital. We got there around 9:00am and he was born at 2:44pm. No drugs, no epidural, no birth plan. It felt very empowering to be able to listen to my body and do what it was supposed to do.
What’s your current position? Can you give me a brief overview of what it is you do in your work?
My current position is with Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth as Vice President of Community Engagement and I've been in this role for 9 months. I am responsible for leading marketing, public affairs, media and community engagement and special fundraising activities for my agency.
What’s the specific project you’re going to be telling us about today? Give us a brief overview of it.
I'm currently working out our annual Spring fundraiser, Project Goodwill. Project Goodwill is a fashion show, design competition, and dinner supporting the mission of Goodwill. It's a way for us to showcase local talent and creativity while raising funds. I tell people all the time, it's the best fun you'll have on a Thursday night by far!
What has been most rewarding regarding this project?
The most rewarding thing with Project Goodwill year after year is seeing peoples eyes opened to the work we do. Yes, it's a chance to get dressed up, have a drink, bid in a luxury silent auction, but it's also an opportunity for us to tell our story and showcase some of the lives we've changed through the power of work.
Share with me something about yourself that you're working on improving, and how you think your organization will be better/more productive/run more smoothly once you've accomplished your goal.
I'm working on improving my delegation skills. I worked for many years as a one person department, so it's been both a blessing and a challenge to have staff in my new role. I can't say it will change the entire agency, but I will definitely improve the Marketing and Community Engagement aspect.
What do you wish other people knew about your organization?
That we are job creators! Yes, you can shop and donate with us, but we are so much more than that. We change peoples lives.
Goodwill's Digital Career Accelerator recently partnered with Google. How will this partnership impact Tarrant County?
Goodwill Fort Worth will be a Digital Champion and receive a $50,000 grant to fund its participation. As part of the initiative, Goodwill Fort Worth will engage in extensive learning and technical assistance opportunities to help enhance and expand training offerings. The Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator initiative means we at Goodwill Fort Worth will have one more tool to help members of our local community to build their skills and expand their career options. There is no question that workers with up-to-date digital skills will be in a better position to advance in today’s labor market. These digital skills training services will help develop more marketable workers for the digital age, right here in Tarrant County.
The money is earmarked for use in a new Google Training Program/Facility. It will go toward the investment of hardware and equipment for the new space that will be located here at our HQ. The space will be open for any client or person that signs up for services regardless of where they actually live, that wants to get some tech training. These funds will just get us started. We will self-fund the rest.
If we're sitting here a year from now celebrating what a great year it's been for you in this role, what did we achieve together? Tell me how you did it.
We increased awareness and we served more people. We got the word out, we got involved with the community, and we increased the bottom line.
If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be?
If I could have dinner with five famous people from history they would be Sojourner Truth, Tupac Shakur, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Michael Jackson, and Sally Hemmings.
When all is said and done, and the final chapter is written on your life, what is the most memorable thing you’ve done which you would like to have carved on your tombstone?
"She tried." If nothing else, I've really tried to leave each person, place or thing better than when I found it.
Awesome information! Thank you so much for your time today. If folks have more question about you or your organization how can they get in touch with you?
Contact Information:
www.GoodwillFortWorth.org
4005 Campus Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76119
817-332-7866
Facebook: @goodwillfortworth
Instagram: @goodwillfortworth
Twitter: @goodwillfortworth
LinkedIn: Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth
YouTube: Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth
Tarrant Influencer is a space where we spotlight individuals in the community that are making contributions that are note-worthy. If you know someone who is deserving, please email us at info@BetterTarrant.com.
Community: Tarrant CountyFt. Worth
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