Uncrowned Community Builders

Melonya is a product of Buffaloââ?¬â?¢s east side; raised by two hard working parents Alfred Johnson III and Margie Beatrice Johnson. She and her brother Alan Dale Johnson (Abu) were encouraged to appreciate the benefits of a solid education.

A graduate of Nardin Academy, she developed a love for literature and writing for which she cherishes today. She would later earn a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Daemen College. After graduation, she relocated to New York City where for eight years she pursued a career in music and theater. While there she worked at the Museum of Modern Art and later the United Nations. Her pursuit of music led her to spend six months in Paris and Morocco where she was a jazz vocalist.

In 1993, Ms. Johnson returned to Western New York where she has worked to advance opportunities for minorities in education, the arts and business. A natural teacher she worked with kindergarten and pre-school children in the Buffalo School system and would later become an adjunct instructor on the collegiate level.

She has enjoyed a varied career; a pioneer of sorts that has spearheaded a number of positions and projects. She began her work in human services in foster care and adoption for Friendship House of WNY. She would later join the Clarkson Center and the Buffalo Urban League in their workforce development departments.

She became a member of the Ingram Micro sales force and then in 2000 was hired by the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitorââ?¬â?¢s Bureau as a sales manager to promote Buffalo-Niagara as a desirable convention destination. In addition to her sales duties, she worked diligently to engage the multi-cultural community to participate in the regions multi-million dollar convention market. Her efforts would later result in an appointment as the first Multi-cultural Community Relations Manager for the Bureau. During her tenure the first edition of Western New Yorkââ?¬â?¢s African American Cultural travel guide was produced. She would later serve as the first Director of Tourism for the East Aurora Chamber of Commerce.

In 2007 she joined the Buffalo Niagara Partnership as a Business Development Specialist where she worked with small and minority owned businesses. After leaving the Partnership she became the Vice President of Operations and Compliance for a $30+ million Western New York not-for-profit.

Ms. Johnson earned a Master of Science in Professional Leadership and Organizational Development from St. Bonaventure University and was awarded membership into Beta Gamma Sigma; the international honor society for collegiate schools of business.

Civic and board activities have included the FBI Citizens Academy, Leadership Buffalo Graduate 2004, Erie County Cultural Resource Advisory Board, Just Buffalo Literary Center, Daemen College Alumni Mentor Partnership and the United Way Board of Governance Project.

Recognizing her entrepreneurial spirit, in 2009 Ms. Johnson became a certified professional coach and established BSMART Coaching; a leadership development and executive coaching consultancy. Ms. Johnson brings more than twenty years of study in personal and motivational development to her coaching practice. She is committed to helping executives meet their performance potential and leverage strengths towards career satisfaction and advancement.