Feb. 28—Lakeview Academy and Midway Hills Academy students heard from a Milledgeville native and twice-published children's author Monday.
Baldwin High alumna Felicia Napier Johnson visited the two upper elementary schools and read her latest book, "I'm Responsible, Are You?" to kids throughout the day as part of the Baldwin County School District's celebration of Black History Month.
"I'm so grateful for this opportunity," Johnson told The Union-Recorder in between readings. "It's something I've dreamt of doing. To be home and in the atmosphere I grew up in, it's a blessing. I want to make a difference in children's lives, and why not do it where a difference was made in my life — right here in Milledgeville."
Johnson grew up in the Harrisburg community on the south side of town where she attended Harrisburg Elementary, a portion of which still stands as the Collins P. Lee Community Center. She advanced on to Sally Davis Middle and Boddie Junior High before graduating from Baldwin High. After high school, Johnson attended Morris Brown College and later what was then called Atlanta University. She became an educator, working her entire 30-year career in the DeKalb County School District. She now resides in Stone Mountain with her husband.
Writing was something Johnson always enjoyed as a child. Poetry was her first favorite and she later got into short stories. Now the retired educator has combined her passions of writing and teaching children through her company A Shining Light, which strives to teach kids life virtues through storybooks. Johnson published "I'm Compassionate, Are You?" in 2017 where the main character Jade learns a valuable lesson on how to treat her classmate who is experiencing tough challenges in her life.
Just last month Johnson's second work, "I'm Responsible, Are You?" was released, and that's what she read to the local students Monday. Again, the main character, this time a young boy named Trey, is taught a lesson on the importance of responsibility. Johnson, tapping in to her years of experience in the classroom, engaged with the kids before and after readings, getting them to answer questions about the book and what they learned from it.
Kids' left Mrs. Johnson's "class" with their own signed copies of either of her books, free of charge. That was thanks to Baldwin County School District partner organizations Communities in Schools and Baldwin County Family Connection.
"I'm just grateful for everybody who played a role in having me here," Johnson said. "I see it as just the beginning. I'd like to go to many different schools in this area to share my story and make an impact on the lives of kids because they are our future."
Either of Johnson's works can be purchased online through Amazon or her website, ashininglightshop.com. Merchandise related to her first book, "I'm Compassionate, Are You?" (T-shirts, dolls, tote bags) may also be found on Johnson's website.